Kate Capshaw facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Kate Capshaw
Capshaw in January 1984
Born	Kathleen Sue Nail (1953-11-03) November 3, 1953 (age 71) Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.
Alma mater	University of Missouri
Occupation	Actress producer painter
Years active	1981–2001
Spouse(s)	Robert Capshaw ​ ​ (m. 1976; div. 1980)​ Steven Spielberg ​ (m. 1991)​
Children	6, including Jessica, Destry, and Sasha
Relatives	Arnold Spielberg (father-in-law)

Kathleen Sue Spielberg (born November 3, 1953), known as Kate Capshaw, is an American former actress and painter. She is famous for playing Willie Scott. This character was a nightclub singer in the movie Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984). This film was directed by Steven Spielberg, who later became her husband.

Kate Capshaw also starred in many other movies. These include Dreamscape (1984), Power (1986), and SpaceCamp (1986). She also appeared in Black Rain (1989) and The Love Letter (1999). Besides acting, Kate Capshaw is also a talented painter. Her artwork has been shown in important places like the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery.

Early Life and Education

Kate Capshaw was born Kathleen Sue Nail in Fort Worth, Texas. Her mother, Beverley Sue, worked as a travel agent and beautician. Her father, Edwin Leon Nail, was an airline employee. When she was five, her family moved to St. Louis, Missouri.

She finished high school in 1972. Kate then went to the University of Missouri. There, she earned a degree in education. Before becoming an actress, she taught Special Education. She worked at high schools in Ashland, Missouri, and Columbia, Missouri.

In 1976, she married Robert Capshaw. They had one child, Jessica Capshaw. They later divorced in 1980. Kate kept the last name Capshaw for her acting career.

Acting Career Highlights

Capshaw in June 1984

Kate Capshaw moved to New York City to follow her dream of acting. Her first acting job was on the TV show The Edge of Night. In 1984, she starred in the movie Dreamscape. After that, she worked on Windy City.

A big moment in her career was meeting film director Steven Spielberg. She won the main female role of Willie Scott in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984). This movie was a prequel to Spielberg's earlier film, Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981). In Temple of Doom, Capshaw acted alongside Harrison Ford, who played Indiana Jones.

In 1986, she played Andie Bergstrom in the film SpaceCamp. She was a camp instructor in this movie. She also appeared with Richard Gere and Gene Hackman in Power (1986). In 1987, she starred as Susanna McKaskel in The Quick and The Dead.

Kate Capshaw continued to act in many films during the late 1980s and 1990s. She was in Black Rain (1989) with Michael Douglas. She also appeared in Just Cause (1995) and Love Affair (1994). In 1999, she starred in and helped produce The Love Letter. Her last acting role was in the 2001 TV film A Girl Thing.

Painting and Art Exhibitions

In 2009, Kate Capshaw began studying art. She focused on drawing, painting, and creating portraits. She became very interested in painting portraits of young people who were experiencing homelessness.

In March 2019, three of her portraits were chosen for a special art show. This show was at the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery. It was part of the "Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition." Her portraits were then shown in an exhibition called "The Outwin 2019: American Portraiture Today."

In 2024, she had her own art show at the Pérez Art Museum Miami in Florida. This show was called Kate Capshaw: Exclusive Tonsorial Services. It was inspired by conversations with a community leader named Sergei Grant. He is a barber who works to help young people with financial education.

Personal Life and Family

While making Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984), Kate Capshaw became close to the director, Steven Spielberg. They later married on October 12, 1991. Before their marriage, Kate converted to Judaism. They had both a civil ceremony and a traditional Jewish ceremony.

The Spielberg–Capshaw family has seven children:

• Jessica Capshaw – Kate's daughter from her first marriage.
• Max Samuel Spielberg – Steven's son from his first marriage.
• Theo Spielberg – Adopted by Kate before she married Steven, who later also adopted him.
• Sasha Rebecca Spielberg
• Sawyer Spielberg
• Mikaela George Spielberg – Adopted by Kate and Steven.
• Destry Spielberg

On April 28, 2023, Kate Capshaw made a surprise appearance. She joined Michelle Obama on stage during a Bruce Springsteen concert in Barcelona. They sang backing vocals and played the tambourine on the song "Glory Days."

Filmography

Film

Television

See also

In Spanish: Kate Capshaw para niños