Kathleen Quinlan
- Known For
- Acting
- Born
- November 19, 1954 in Pasadena, California, USA
- Active Years
- 1951–2026 (76 Years)
- Total Credits
- 113 credits in database
Biography
Kathleen Denise Quinlan Abbott, also known as Kathy Quinlan, is an American film and television actress born on November 19, 1954, in Pasadena, California. Her career spans almost five decades, encompassing numerous feature films, television movies, and series. She earned a Golden Globe nomination for her performance in the 1977 film adaptation of the novel I Never Promised You a Rose Garden as Deborah Blake, which served as her definite breakthrough. She also received Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations for her role in the 1995 film Apollo 13. Her earlier film work includes her feature film debut in Mel Stuart's One Is a Lonely Number in 1972 and an appearance in George Lucas's American Graffiti in 1973.
Career overview
Kathleen Denise Quinlan Abbott, also known as Kathy Quinlan, is an American film and television actress born in Pasadena, California, on November 19, 1954. Her career spans almost five decades, encompassing numerous roles in feature films, television movies, and series.
She made her feature film debut in Mel Stuart's One Is a Lonely Number in 1972, followed by an appearance in George Lucas' American Graffiti in 1973. Quinlan achieved her definitive breakthrough and earned a Golden Globe nomination for her performance as Deborah Blake in the 1977 film adaptation of the novel I Never Promised You a Rose Garden.
Throughout her extensive career, Quinlan accumulated many known credits in acting. She received further critical recognition, including Golden Globe and Academy Award nominations, for her role in the 1995 film Apollo 13.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
113 titles- Okay (2026) as Loretta
- Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 2 (2024)
- The Stairs (2021) as Grandma Bernice
- Walking with Herb (2021) as Sheila Amable-Amo
- The Devil Has a Name (2019) as Nancy
- Saving My Baby (2019) as Virginia
- Mayans M.C. (2018) as Mrs. Buksar
- Chimera Strain (2018) as Masterson
- Parallel (2018) as Marissa
- Marvel's Runaways (2017) as Susan Ellerh
- ADDicted (2017) as Kate Dawson
- Elizabeth Blue (2017) as Carol
- How Not to Propose (2015) as Susan
- How to Get Away with Murder (2014) as Britt
- After (2014) as Nora Valentino
- Horns (2013) as Lydia Perrish
- Blue (2012) as Jessica
- Life's an Itch (2012) as Audrey
- Elektra Luxx (2011) as Rebecca Linbrook
- Cinema Verite (2011) as Mary Every
- Eagles in the Chicken Coop (2011) as Mary Bernstein
- The Event (2010) as Erika Jarvis
- 2Everything2Terrible2: Tokyo Drift (2010) as (archive footage)
- The River Why (2010) as Ma
- Glee (2009) as Dr. Shane
- Stargate Universe (2009) as Senator Michaels
- Prison Break: The Final Break (2009) as Christina Rose Scofield
- Made of Honor (2008) as Joan
- Harm's Way (2008) as Bea
- The Dissection of Thanksgiving (2008) as Carol
- Breach (2007) as Bonnie Hanssen
- Humble Pie (2007) as Agnes Orbison
- The Hills Have Eyes (2006) as Ethel
- Prison Break (2005) as Christina Rose Scofield
- House (2004) as Arlene McNeil
- El padrino: The Latin Godfather (2004) as Judge Scorsi
- The Riverman (2004) as Sande Keppel
- Perfect Romance (2004) as Tess Kelley
- The Dead Will Tell (2004) as Beth Hytner
- Blessings (2003) as Meredith Blessing
- The Battle of Shaker Heights (2003) as Eve
- Hollywood's Magical Island: Catalina (2003)
- CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2000) as Barbara Tallman
- Family Law (1999) as Lynn Holt
- Where Are They Now? (1999) as Self
- Too Rich: The Secret Life of Doris Duke (1999) as Nanaline Duke
- Hollywood Squares (1998) as Self - Panelist
- A Civil Action (1998) as Anne Anderson
- The Making of 'American Graffiti' (1998) as Self
- My Giant (1998) as Serena Kamin
- Event Horizon (1997) as Peters
- Breakdown (1997) as Amy Taylor
- Zeus & Roxanne (1997) as Mary Beth Dunhill
- The Doors: The Road of Excess (1997) as Self
- Lawn Dogs (1997) as Clare Stockard
- In the Lake of the Woods (1996) as Kathy Waylan
- Lost Moon: The Triumph of Apollo 13 (1996) as Self
- Apollo 13 (1995) as Marilyn Lovell
- Perfect Alibi (1995) as Melanie Bauers
- Picture Windows: Lightning (1995) as Hooker
- Trial by Jury (1994) as Wanda
- Diagnosis: Murder (1993) as Dr. Kate Delieb
- Last Light (1993) as Kathy Rubicek
- Stolen Babies (1993) as Bekka
- An American Story (1992) as Hope Tyler
- Strays (1991) as Lindsey Jarrett
- The Doors (1991) as Patricia Kennealy
- The Hidden Room (1991) as Julia
- The Operation (1990) as Ginnie
- Trapped (1989) as Mary Ann Marshall
- Clara's Heart (1988) as Leona Hart
- Sunset (1988) as Nancy Shoemaker
- Wild Thing (1987) as Jane
- Dreams Lost, Dreams Found (1987) as Sarah McAllister
- The Man Outside (1987) as Grace Freemont
- The New Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1985) as Karen Wilson
- The New Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1985) as Ann Foley
- Warning Sign (1985) as Joanie Morse
- Blackout (1985) as Chris Graham
- Children of the Night (1985) as Lois Lee
- The Last Winter (1984) as Joyce
- When She Says No (1984) as Rose Michaels
- Twilight Zone: The Movie (1983) as Helen Foley
- Independence Day (1983) as Mary Ann Taylor
- Hanky Panky (1982) as Janet Dunn
- She's in the Army Now (1981) as Pvt. Cass Donner
- Sunday Lovers (1980) as Laurie (segment "Skippy")
- The Promise (1979) as Nancy McAllister / Marie Adamson
- The Runner Stumbles (1979) as Sister Rita
- Nightmare in Blood (1978)
- Airport '77 (1977) as Julie
- I Never Promised You a Rose Garden (1977) as Deborah Blake
- Little Ladies of the Night (1977) as Karen Brodwick
- Lifeguard (1976) as Wendy
- Switch (1975) as Robin Morgan
- Joe Forrester (1975) as Bethany
- Three for the Road (1975)
- The Missing Are Deadly (1975)
- The Abduction of Saint Anne (1975) as Anne Benedict
- The Turning Point of Jim Malloy (1975) as Edith Evans
- Police Woman (1974)
- Lucas Tanner (1974)
- Can Ellen Be Saved? (1974) as Melissa
- Where Have All the People Gone (1974) as Deborah Anders
- Lucas Tanner (1974) as Joyce Howell
- Kojak (1973) as Janet Conforti
- American Graffiti (1973) as Peg
- Emergency! (1972)
- The Waltons (1972)
- Ironside (1967)
- The Oscars (1953) as Self
- Hallmark Hall of Fame (1951)
- Holiday Hearts as Barbara Morgenstern
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Kathleen Quinlan best known for?
Kathleen Quinlan is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 2 (2024), The Devil Has a Name (2019), Saving My Baby (2019), Mayans M.C. (2018).
When and where was Kathleen Quinlan born?
Kathleen Quinlan was born on November 19, 1954 in Pasadena, California, USA.
How many credits does Kathleen Quinlan have?
Kathleen Quinlan has accumulated over 113 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1951 to 2026.
What is Kathleen Quinlan's background in cinema and television?
Kathleen Denise Quinlan Abbott, also known as Kathy Quinlan, is an American film and television actress born on November 19, 1954, in Pasadena, California. Her career spans almost five decades, encompassing numerous feature films, television movies, and series. She earned a Golden Globe nomination for her performance i...
Kathleen Quinlan by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Hallmark Hall of Fame (1951) — aged about 3
- House (2004) as Arlene McNeil — aged about 49
- Prison Break (2005) as Christina Rose Scofield — aged about 50
- Family Law (1999) as Lynn Holt — aged about 44
- Mayans M.C. (2018) as Mrs. Buksar — aged about 63
- Emergency! (1972) — aged about 17
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