Kate Nelligan

Kate Nelligan

Active - 1975 - 2006  |   Born - Mar 16, 1951 in London, Ontario, Canada  |   Genres - Drama, Romance, Crime

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Biography by AllMovie

Three-time Tony Award nominee Kate Nelligan has pursued a successful acting career in three separate English-speaking nations. While attending the University of Toronto, the Canadian-born Nelligan transferred to London, England's Central School of Speech and Drama. It was in Bristol that she first appeared on stage professionally with the Old Vic in 1973; one year later, she returned to London for her stage bow there. In 1975, Nelligan made her screen debut in The Romantic Englishwoman, but most American filmgoers saw her first as Lucy in the Frank Langella version of Dracula (1979). Several appearances in British made-for-TV movies followed in the early 1980s; most of these popped up on US TV screens courtesy of the burgeoning Arts & Entertainment cable network. In 1980 she made her first Canadian film, Mr. Patman. Kate Nelligan's most recent movie appearances have been in such American projects as Frankie and Johnny (1990), The Prince of Tides (1991), and Shadows and Fog (1992).

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Factsheet

  • Had polio as a child, which disabled her from walking from the age of 2 to 5.
  • Was able to attend London's prestigious Central School of Speech and Drama due to a grant from the Canadian government and sponsorship from a local arts supporter.
  • In 1972, made her stage debut as Corrie Bratter in England's Little Theatre production of Barefoot in the Park.
  • In 1983, made her Broadway debut as Susan Traherne in Plenty.
  • Performed in the Royal Theatre's stage production of Serious Money in 1988.