Kathy Burke Biography

Fast Facts

• Interested in acting since her teens, she began studying formally at the Anna Scher Theatre School in Islington
• Was briefly placed in foster care following the premature death of her mother until her father could regain custody of her and her brothers
• Quote: "When you are called a character actress it's because you are too ugly to be called a leading lady․"
• Took a brief hiatus from film starting in 2001 to pursue directing opportunities in the theater community
• Wrote her first play, titled Mr․ Thomas, at 22-years-old and would eventually direct the play with Ray Winstone starring as the production's titular character
• Made her on-screen debut at 17-years-old after being discovered by director Mai Zetterling who needed young teenagers to appear as extras in his 1982 film, "Scrubbers"