Kathryn Joosten’s credits are impressive for any actor, let alone one that only began the craft at age 42 and arrived in Hollywood just over ten years ago. Joosten has created dozens of characters, and is best known for her portrayal of Mrs. Landingham, secretary to the President (Martin Sheen), on the critically acclaimed NBC drama, THE WEST WING. After her “death” on THE WEST WING, Joosten got a promotion and became one of the recurring “Gods” on JOAN OF ARCADIA.
In 2004, Joosten became one of the neighbors on Wisteria Lane, recurring on the hit ABC show, DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES, as Karen McCloskey. Her work was so noteworthy and critically acclaimed, she received an Emmy Award for Best Guest Star Actress in a Comedy in 2005. In her speech, Kathy only had on regret, that she could not dig up her dead ex-husband and tell him to his face that “its looks like she didn’t need a real job after all.”
Joosten also guest starred on many hit television series such as GREY’S ANATOMY, SCRUBS, EVERWOOD, YES DEAR, LIFE WITH BONNIE, WILL & GRACE, LESS THAN PERFECT, KING OF QUEENS, HOPE & FAITH, MONK, A.U.S.A., JUDGING AMY, FATHER OF THE PRIDE, BECKER, ARLI$$, NYPD BLUE, ALLY MCBEAL, PROVIDENCE, and over twenty other prime time shows. Daytime television got to share in her talent when she starred on ABC’s Daytime Drama, GENERAL HOSPITAL.
Although only put into action well into her middle years, Kathryn’s dream began in her twenties when her mother died of cancer in 1963. While dying in the hospital, her mother shared that her biggest regret was not following her dreams. Kathryn vowed at that moment that she would someday pursue her own dream of acting.
At the time she was entering into a new career as a psychiatric nurse in a medium security wing for disturbed teenagers. Through that job she met and married a psychiatrist, gave birth to two boys and settled down as a suburban housewife in Lake Forest, Illinois, a well-to-do suburb of Chicago. But Kathryn never forgot her dream of acting, something that she never had time to pursue in between caring for her children and husband.
In 1980, her husband’s alcoholism led Kathryn to a divorce and a difficult situation; a single mother with two young sons. Rather than lose hope, she took the opportunity to change her life forever and follow her lost dream.
Kathryn took classes at Steppenwolf Theater in Chicago and performed at community theaters all over Northern Illinois. By day she supported her family hanging wallpaper and painting the mansions of Lake Forest, working as a sales person for a Welcome Wagon company and using her contacts to book film and print locations in the houses she was painting. By night Kathryn was improving her skills and moving from community theater to semi-professional theater.
Her first break was in 1991. Disney held a cattle call for street performers for Disney World. After standing in line for five hours, Kathryn got the part and moved shop to Orlando, Florida. Though she was living behind an adult arcade in the “tourist unfriendly” part of Orlando, Kathryn was finally earning her living through performance and loving it.
The part only lasted for a year and once again Kathryn was forced to supplement her acting income with other work -- bartending and catering during the day, theater at night. Though the acting gig was over, the move to Florida proved one thing to Kathryn...she had the talent to make it as an actor. She did it once and she could do it again. Unfortunately, it took her two and half years to realize it wouldn’t happen in central Florida.
In December 1995, Kathryn again packed a truck and drove to Hollywood. Although she didn’t have an agent or any connections, Kathryn never hesitated following her dream. In only five months she landed her first part...two lines in FAMILY MATTERS. >From her many roles Kathryn is recognized as one of Murphy Brown’s secretaries, Frazier’s agent’s mother and the bingo buddy to Drew Carey’s girlfriend. But it is her portrayal of Mrs. Landingham, the foil, friend and secretary to Martin Sheen’s President Bartlet on THE WEST WING that has propelled her into the spotlight she truly deserves.
In 2001, Kathy received another title – Lung Cancer Survivor. Thanks to the dedicated work of her doctor, Kathy’s cancer was caught very early and required only surgical treatment. She currently works with Lungevity, and the National Lung Cancer Partnership, to spread the word on lung cancer and how it can be prevented.
As an inspiration to us all, Kathryn continues to make her living following her dream. She doesn’t know who she will play next...a nun, a bartender, a judge. Whatever it is, she will use her talent to touch and amaze us, and we are glad for it.
For further information regarding Kathryn Joosten, please contact Thomas De Lorenzo at 323.656.1068. |
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