Kate Mara
Biography
Kate Rooney Mara is an American actress born on February 27, 1983, in Bedford, New York. With a career spanning numerous film and television projects, she has established herself as a recognizable figure in the entertainment industry. Mara is widely acknowledged for her diverse performances across various genres, ranging from political dramas and thrillers to miniseries. Her professional contributions have earned her industry recognition, including an Independent Spirit Award nomination for her work as an executive producer. Throughout her career, she has maintained a consistent presence in both network and streaming television, building a portfolio that includes 78 known credits. She continues to be recognized for her versatility and commitment to her roles in both television and film productions.
Career overview
Kate Mara has built an extensive career in television, gaining prominence through several high-profile roles. She is well known for her portrayal of reporter Zoe Barnes in the Netflix political drama House of Cards, appearing in the series between 2013 and 2016. Her television work also includes playing computer analyst Shari Rothenberg in the Fox thriller series 24 in 2006, and the role of Hayden McClaine in the FX miniseries American Horror Story: Murder House in 2011. Additionally, she appeared as Patty Bowes in the first season of the FX drama series Pose in 2018. In 2020, she starred in the FX miniseries A Teacher, where she played a schoolteacher involved in an illicit relationship with an underage student. For this project, she also served as an executive producer.
In addition to her television work, Mara has appeared in various feature films throughout her career. Her filmography includes roles in Brokeback Mountain in 2005, We Are Marshall in 2006, Shooter in 2007, and Fantastic Four. These projects demonstrate her involvement in a wide array of cinematic storytelling. With 78 known credits to her name, Mara has maintained a steady acting career, transitioning between complex television characters and film roles. Her work as an executive producer on A Teacher further highlights her involvement in the production side of the industry, earning her critical recognition for her contributions to scripted series.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full filmography
- Imperfect Women (2026) as Nancy
- The Dutchman (2026) as Lula
- The Astronaut (2025) as Sam Walker
- Friendship (2025) as Tami Waterman
- Easy's Waltz (2025)
- Class of '09 (2023) as Ashley Poet
- The Smell of Money (2023) Executive Producer
- Call Jane (2022) as Lana
- INVINCIBLE (2021) as Becky (voice)
- A Teacher (2020) as Claire Wilson
- A Teacher (2020) Executive Producer
- The Kelly Clarkson Show (2019) as Self
- Tamron Hall (2019) as Self - Guest
- POSE (2018) as Patty
- Chappaquiddick (2018) as Mary Jo Kopechne
- My Days of Mercy (2018) as Mercy
- My Days of Mercy (2018) Producer
- Time of Day (2018) as Self
- Why Can't We Get Along (2018) as Self
- Megan Leavey (2017) as Megan Leavey
- Morgan (2016) as Lee Weathers
- Man Down (2016) as Natalie Drummer
- The Long Way Home: Making 'The Martian' (2016) as Self
- The Martian (2015) as Beth Johanssen
- Fantastic Four (2015) as Sue Storm
- Moonbeam City (2015) as Chrysalis Tate (voice)
- ARES: live (2015) as Beth Johanssen
- Captive (2015) as Ashley Smith
- The Heyday of the Insensitive Bastards (2015) as Lisa
- Almost Not Beautiful (2015) as Lisa
- The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (2014) as Self
- Late Night with Seth Meyers (2014) as Self - Guest
- Transcendence (2014) as Bree
- Tiny Detectives (2014) as Detective Kate
- House of Cards (2013) as Zoe Barnes
- Deadfall (2012) as Hanna
- 10 Years (2012) as Elise
- Out of the Shadows: Meet the House Ghosts (2012)
- American Horror Story (2011) as Hayden McClaine
- Black Mirror (2011) as Lana Stanfield
- Ironclad (2011) as Lady Isabel
- Happythankyoumoreplease (2011) as Mississippi
- Queen of Hearts (2011) as Queen of Hearts
- Iron Man 2 (2010) as U.S. Marshal
- 127 Hours (2010) as Kristi Moore
- Peep World (2010) as Meg
- Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen (2009) as Self - Guest
- Big Guy (2009) as Kate
- The Open Road (2009) as Lucy
- T Takes: Brooklyn '09 (2009) as Kate
- TransSiberian (2008) as Abby
- Stone of Destiny (2008) as Kay Matheson
- Shooter (2007) as Sarah Fenn
- Full of It (2007) as Annie Dray
- Zoom (2006) as Summer Jones / Wonder
- We Are Marshall (2006) as Annie Cantrell
- Brokeback Mountain (2005) as Alma Del Mar Jr. (age 19)
- Urban Legends: Bloody Mary (2005) as Samantha Owens
- The Californians (2005) as Zoe Tripp
- Entourage (2004) as Brittany
- Nip/Tuck (2003) as Vanessa Bartholomew
- Jimmy Kimmel Live! (2003) as Self
- Jimmy Kimmel Live! (2003) as Self - Guest
- Cold Case (2003) as Jill Shelby
- The Ellen DeGeneres Show (2003) as Self
- CSI: Miami (2002) as Stephanie Brooks
- Everwood (2002) as Kate Morris
- Tadpole (2002) as Miranda Spear
- 24 (2001) as Shari Rothenberg
- CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2000) as Janelle Macklin
- Boston Public (2000) as Helena Gelbke
- Madigan Men (2000)
- Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999) as Lori
- Random Hearts (1999) as Jessica Chandler
- Joe the King (1999) as Allyson
- The View (1997) as Self
- MTV Movie & TV Awards (1992) as Self / Presenter
- Law & Order (1990) as Jenna Erlich
- Bucking Fastard as Jean Holbrooke
- The Little Bedroom
- She Kills Them as Chloe Jacobs