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Kate Mulgrew
Kate Mulgrew by Gage Skidmore.jpg
Mulgrew at the 2022 Phoenix Fan Fusion
Born
Katherine Kiernan Maria Mulgrew

(1955-04-29) April 29, 1955 (age 68)
Alma mater New York University
Occupation
  • Actress
  • author
Years active 1975–present
Known for Star Trek: Voyager
Orange Is the New Black
Spouse(s)
Robert H. Egan
(m. 1982; div. 1995)
Tim Hagan
(m. 1999; div. 2014)
Children 3

Katherine Kiernan Maria Mulgrew (born April 29, 1955) is an American actress and author. She is best known for her roles as Captain Kathryn Janeway in Star Trek: Voyager and Red in Orange Is the New Black. She first came to attention in the role of Mary Ryan in the daytime soap opera Ryan's Hope.

Mulgrew is the recipient of a Critics' Choice Award, a Saturn Award, and an Obie Award, and has also received Golden Globe Award and Primetime Emmy Award nominations. She is a member of the Alzheimer's Association National Advisory Council and the voice of Cleveland's MetroHealth System. Beginning in 2021, Mulgrew reprised her role as Janeway in the animated series Star Trek: Prodigy.

Early life

Mulgrew was born in 1955 in Dubuque, Iowa, to Thomas James "T.J." Mulgrew Jr., a contractor, and Joan Virginia Mulgrew (née Kiernan), an artist and painter. She was the second of eight children. She attended Wahlert High School in Dubuque. She was born with a full set of teeth.

At the age of 17, Mulgrew was accepted at the Stella Adler Conservatory of Acting in New York, conjoined with New York University in New York City. She supported herself by working as a waitress. She left NYU after one year.

Career

Earlier career (1975–1994)

Mulgrew's early career included portraying Mary Ryan for two years in the ABC soap Ryan's Hope (1975). She became a fan favorite and remained associated with the show long after its cancellation. She remained friends with former co-star Ilene Kristen and presented a special Soap Opera Digest Award to Ryan's Hope creator Claire Labine in 1995. While in Ryan's Hope, she also played Emily Webb in the American Shakespeare Theatre production of Our Town in Stratford, Connecticut. She played ambitious country singer Garnet McGee in a November 1978 episode of Dallas. In 1979–1980, she played Kate Columbo in Mrs. Columbo, a spin-off of the detective series Columbo created specifically for her, which lasted 13 episodes.

In 1981, Mulgrew co-starred with Richard Burton and Nicholas Clay in the Arthurian love triangle Lovespell as Irish princess Isolt, who casts a spell on Mark, King of Cornwall, and his surrogate son, Tristan. In the same year she also co-starred with Pierce Brosnan in the six-hour miniseries Manions of America, about Irish immigrants in 19th-century America. In 1985, she appeared in Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins as Major Fleming. In 1986, she appeared in a run of Cheers episodes as Janet Eldridge. In 1987, she appeared in Throw Momma from the Train as Margaret, Billy Crystal's character's ex-wife.

..... Also in 1992, Mulgrew had a guest-starring role as a soap opera star in Murder, She Wrote, episode number 170, "Ever After". At around the same time she guest-starred in three episodes of Batman: The Animated Series as the terrorist Red Claw.

Star Trek: Voyager (1994–2001)

DawsonMulgrewLien1995
Kate Mulgrew with Voyager actresses Roxann Dawson and Jennifer Lien (1995)

In 1994, Mulgrew received a call to take the part of Captain Kathryn Janeway in Star Trek: Voyager. She had auditioned for the role (originally named Elizabeth Janeway) when producers announced casting. She submitted a videotaped audition which she made in New York City in August 1994. Unhappy with the tape, she auditioned in person a few weeks later. That day, film actress Geneviève Bujold was selected to play Janeway (suggesting Nicole as the character's new first name), but left the role after two days of filming, realizing that the amount of work required for an episodic television show was too demanding. Mulgrew was then offered the role, which she accepted, and later suggested Kathryn as the character's final first name.

Mulgrew made history in the Star Trek franchise when she became the first female captain as a series regular in a leading role. Voyager was the first show broadcast on the new UPN channel, the only series renewed after the channel's first programming season, and its only show to run for seven seasons. Mulgrew won the Saturn Award for "Best TV Actress" in 1998 for her performances as Janeway.

Mulgrew voiced the character of Janeway for various Star Trek video games: Star Trek: Captain's Chair, a virtual-reality tour of various Starfleet vessels for home computers; the Star Trek: Voyager – Elite Force series; Star Trek: Legacy, which featured all of the captains up to that point (2006); and Star Trek Online.

During Voyager, Mulgrew also played Titania in the animated series Gargoyles (with fellow Star Trek actors Marina Sirtis and Jonathan Frakes) and Victoria Riddler in the television film Riddler's Moon.

Since Voyager and her subsequent Star Trek appearances, Mulgrew has appeared at Star Trek conventions and events around the world.

She returned to the role of Janeway as a training hologram and the real Vice-Admiral Janeway (commanding the USS Dauntless and USS Voyager-A) in the series Star Trek: Prodigy.

After Voyager (2001–2012)

Praha, Národní dům na Vinohradech, Kate v Praze (11)
Mulgrew (l.) with an early photograph in Prague, 2011

When Voyager came to an end after seven full seasons, Mulgrew returned to theater, and in 2003 starred in a one-woman play called Tea at Five, a monologue reminiscence based on Katharine Hepburn's memoir Me: Stories of My Life. Tea at Five was a critical success and Mulgrew received two awards, one from Carbonell (Best Actress) and the other from Broadway.com (Audience Award for Favorite Solo Performance). Mulgrew kept active in doing voice-over work for video games, most notably voicing the mysterious Flemeth in the Dragon Age video game series, a role she described as "delicious".

Mulgrew returned to television in 2006, guest-starring in an episode of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. Mulgrew performed in The Exonerated at the Riverside Studios in London, England.

In early 2007, she appeared in the NBC television series The Black Donnellys as Helen Donnelly, which lasted for one season. She also performed the lead role in an off-Broadway production called Our Leading Lady written by Charles Busch in which she earned a nomination from the Drama League for her performance. Also in that year, Mulgrew played Clytemnestra in New York for Charles L. Mee's Iphigenia 2.0. She won the Obie Award for outstanding performance.

In June 2008, Mulgrew appeared in Equus on Broadway, playing Hesther Saloman, a public official who is empathetic toward the play's central character. The play opened on September 5, 2008, for a limited 22-week engagement through February 8, 2009. Also in 2008, Mulgrew filmed the 30-minute courtroom drama The Response, which is based on actual transcripts of the Guantanamo Bay tribunals. It was researched and fully vetted in conjunction with the University of Maryland School of Law and was shot in three days. Mulgrew portrays Colonel Sims and the other cast members, the crew, and she agreed to defer their salaries to cover the production costs. The film has been screened at a number of sites and is available on DVD.

In 2009, Mulgrew appeared in the NBC medical series Mercy, playing the recurring role of Jeannie Flanagan (the mother of the show's lead, Veronica). Released in 2010, the film The Best and Brightest, a comedy based in the world of New York City's elite private kindergartens, featured Mulgrew as the Player's wife.

QTXP 20121019 Destination Star Trek London MG 2128
Mulgrew with Patrick Stewart appearing at Destination Star Trek London in 2012.

Also in 2010, she starred as Cleopatra in William Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra at Hartford Stage.

In 2011, Mulgrew appeared in the feature-length documentary The Captains. The film, written and directed by William Shatner, follows Shatner as he interviews each of the actors who succeeded him playing a lead-role Starfleet captain within the Star Trek franchise. During that same year, on another science-fiction series, she began a recurring guest-starring role on the third season of the series Warehouse 13, as the mother of one of the main characters.

From July 2011 to December 2013, Mulgrew appeared as the main cast member on Adult Swim's NTSF:SD:SUV:: as Kove, the leader of the titular terrorism-fighting unit and ex-wife of series lead Paul Scheer's character.

The Principle (2014)

In 2014, Mulgrew narrated a documentary film, The Principle, that aims to promote the discredited idea of the geocentric model. Mulgrew said that she was misinformed as to the purpose of the documentary, going on to say "I am not a geocentrist, nor am I in any way a proponent of geocentrism... I do not subscribe to anything Robert Sungenis has written regarding science and history, and had I known of his involvement, would most certainly have avoided this documentary."

Orange Is the New Black (2013–2019)

Mulgrew starred as inmate Galina "Red" Reznikov in the Netflix original series Orange Is the New Black, the role for which she was nominated for her first Primetime Emmy Award in 2014. The popular character was re-signed for seasons two through seven. On working in the series, she was reunited with her Mercy co-star Taylor Schilling.

Personal life

Mulgrew became pregnant while acting in the lead role of Mary Ryan in Ryan's Hope. "I was single, alone, and flooded with terror. But I knew I would have that baby," Mulgrew said. She placed her daughter for adoption three days after giving birth in 1977, then in later years, searched for her. "The first man who wanted to explore this with me", said Mulgrew, "was Tim Hagan, who later became my husband." In 1998, Mulgrew received a call from the daughter she had placed for adoption. Her name is Danielle, and she had started searching for Mulgrew a year earlier. In her 2015 memoir Born with Teeth (which refers to Mulgrew having been born with a full set of neonatal teeth), Mulgrew tells of her reunion with her daughter in 2001. In 2019 Mulgrew released a second memoir titled How to Forget.

Mulgrew married Robert Egan in 1982. They have two children. The couple separated in 1993. Their divorce became final in 1995.

Mulgrew married Tim Hagan, a former Ohio gubernatorial candidate and a former commissioner of Cuyahoga County, Ohio, in April 1999. In an interview on April 15, 2015, Mulgrew stated that she and Hagan were divorced in 2014.

.....

Mulgrew is a member of the National Advisory Committee of the Alzheimer's Association. Her mother, Joan Mulgrew, died on July 27, 2006, after a long battle with the disease.

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1980 A Time for Miracles Elizabeth Seaton
1981 Lovespell Isolt
1982 Stranger Is Watching, AA Stranger Is Watching Sharon Martin
1985 Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins Major Rayner Fleming
1987 Throw Momma from the Train Margaret Donner
1992 Round Numbers Judith Schweitzer
1994 Camp Nowhere Rachel Prescott
1995 Captain Nuke and the Bomber Boys Mrs. Pescoe
2002 Star Trek: Nemesis Admiral Kathryn Janeway Cameo
2004 Star Trek: The Experience - Borg Invasion 4D
2005 Perception Mary
2008 Response, TheThe Response Colonel Simms Short film
2010 Best and the Brightest, TheThe Best and the Brightest The Player's Wife
2012 Flatland 2: Sphereland Over-Sphere
2013 Drawing Home Edith Morse Robb
2014 The Principle Narrator Documentary
2014 Divine Discontent: Charles Proteus Steinmetz Documentary

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1975 Wide World of Mystery, TheThe Wide World of Mystery Susan Episode: "Alien Lover"
1975–1978 Ryan's Hope Mary Ryan Fenelli Main role
1976 American Woman: Portraits of Courage, TheThe American Woman: Portraits of Courage Deborah Sampson Television film
1978 The Word Tony Nicholson Television film
Dallas Garnet McGee Episode: "Triangle"
1979 Jennifer: A Woman's Story Joan Russell Television film
1979–1980 Mrs. Columbo Kate Callahan Columbo 13 episodes
1980 Time for Miracles, AA Time for Miracles Mother Elizabeth Bayley Seton Television film
1981 Manions of America, TheThe Manions of America Rachel Clement 3 episodes
1984 Jessie Maureen McLaughlin Episode: "McLaughlin's Flame"
1986 St. Elsewhere Helen O'Casey 2 episodes
Cheers Janet Eldridge 3 episodes
Carly Mills Carly Mills Television film
My Town Laura Adams Television film
1987 Roses Are for the Rich Kendall Murphy Television film
Hotel Leslie Chase Episode: "Reservations"
1987–1994 Murder, She Wrote Sonny Grier/Joanna Rollins/Maude Gillis 3 episodes
1988 Roots: The Gift Hattie Carraway Television film
1988–1989 HeartBeat Joanne Halloran 18 episodes
1991 Daddy Sarah Watson Television film
Fatal Friendship Sue Bradley Television film
1991–1992 Man of the People Mayor Lisbeth Chardin 10 episodes
1992 Murphy Brown Hillary Wheaton Episode: "On the Rocks"
1992–1995 Batman: The Animated Series Red Claw Voice, 3 episodes
1992 Pirates of Dark Water, TheThe Pirates of Dark Water Cressa Voice, 4 episodes
1993 For Love and Glory Antonia Doyle Television film
1994 Mighty Max Isis Voice, episode: "The Mommy's Hand"
1994–1995 Aladdin Queen Hippsodeth Voice, 2 episodes
1995–2001 Star Trek: Voyager Kathryn Janeway 170 episodes
1996 Gargoyles Titania / Anastasia Renard Voice, 4 episodes
1998 Riddler's Moon Victoria Riddler Television film
2006 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Donna Geysen Episode: "Web"
2007 The Black Donnellys Helen Donnelly 9 episodes
2009–2010 Mercy Mrs. Jeannie Flanagan 10 episodes
2011–2013 Warehouse 13 Jane Lattimer 6 episodes
2011–2013 NTSF:SD:SUV:: Kove 34 episodes
2013–2019 Orange Is the New Black Galina "Red" Reznikov 85 episodes
2015 American Dad! June Rosewood Voice, episode: "A Star Is Reborn"
I Live with Models Joanna Vermouth Episode: "Editor"
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles General Zera Voice, episode: "Half Shell Heroes: Blast to the Past"
2017–2018 Stretch Armstrong and the Flex Fighters Dr. C. Voice, 5 episodes
2019 Mr. Mercedes Alma Lane 9 episodes
2019–2021 Infinity Train The Cat / Samantha Voice, 9 episodes
2021–present Star Trek: Prodigy Kathryn Janeway Voice, 20 episodes
2022 The First Lady Susan Sher 4 episodes
The Man Who Fell to Earth Drew Finch 7 episodes
Dogs in Space Mavis Voice, episode: "Mistaken Id-ED-ity"
Bubble Guppies Felina Meow Voice, episode: "Puppy Girl and Super Pup!"
TBA Sinking Spring Theresa Bowers Upcoming miniseries

Theater

Year Title Role Notes
1975 Our Town Emily Webb American Shakespeare Theater, Stratford, Connecticut
1976 Absurd Person Singular Eva Jackson
1977 Uncommon Women and Others Kate Quin Eugene O'Neill Theater Center
1978 Othello Desdemona Hartman Theater Company
1980 Chapter Two Jennie Malone Coachlight Dinner Theater
1981–1982 Another Part of the Forest Regina Hubbard Seattle Repertory Theater
1982 Major Barbara Major Barbara Undershaft Seattle Repertory Theater
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof Margaret Syracuse Stage, New York
1983 Ballad of Soapy Smith, TheThe Ballad of Soapy Smith Kitty Strong Seattle Repertory Theater
1984 Philadelphia Story, TheThe Philadelphia Story Tracy Lord Alaska Repertory Theater
Misanthrope, TheThe Misanthrope Celimene Seattle Repertory Theater
1985 Measure for Measure Isabella Center Theater Group, Los Angeles
1986 Hedda Gabler Hedda Gabler Center Theater Group, Los Angeles
Real Thing, TheThe Real Thing Charlotte Center Theater Group, Los Angeles
1987 Film Society, TheThe Film Society Nan Sinclair The Los Angeles Theater Center
1989 Titus Andronicus Tamora New York Shakespeare Festival
1990 Aristocrats Alice Center Theater Group, Los Angeles
1992 What the Butler Saw Mrs. Prentice La Jolla Playhouse
1993 Black Comedy Clea Roundabout Theater Company, New York
2002 Dear Liar Mrs Patrick Campbell Youngstown State University
2003 Tea at Five Katharine Hepburn
2004 The Royal Family Julie Cavendish Ahmanson Theatre, Los Angeles
Tea at Five Katharine Hepburn
Mary Stuart Mary Stuart Classic Stage Company, New York
2005 Tea at Five Katharine Hepburn
2006 Exonerated, TheThe Exonerated Sunny Jacobs Riverside Studios, London, England
2007 Our Leading Lady Laura Keene Manhattan Theater Club at New York City Center
Iphigenia Clytemnestra Signature Theater Company
2008 Farfetched Fables and The Fascinating Foundling Anastasia Project Shaw Reading - The Players Club - New York
American Dream and The Sandbox, TheThe American Dream and The Sandbox Mommy Cherry Lane Theater, New York
2008–2009 Equus Hesther Saloman Broadhurst Theater, New York
2010 Antony and Cleopatra Cleopatra Hartford Stage
2013 Somewhere Fun Rosemary Rappaport Vineyard Theatre, New York
2019 The Half-Life of Marie Curie Hertha Ayrton Minetta Lane Theater

Video games

Year Title Role
1997 Star Trek: Captain's Chair Captain Kathryn Janeway
2000 Star Trek: Voyager – Elite Force
2002 Run Like Hell Dr. Mek
2003 Lords of EverQuest Lady Kreya
2006 Star Trek: Legacy Admiral Kathryn Janeway
2009 Dragon Age: Origins Flemeth
2011 Dragon Age II
2014 Dragon Age: Inquisition
2017 Augmented Empire Jules Avalon
2022 Star Trek Online Admiral Janeway / Marshal Janeway
Star Trek Prodigy: Supernova Hologram Janeway

Awards and nominations

Year Association Category Nominated work Result
1980 Golden Globe Awards Best Actress – Television Series Drama Mrs. Columbo Nominated
1992 Tracey Humanitarian Award Herself Murphy Brown Won
1998 Satellite Awards Best Actress – Television Series Drama Star Trek: Voyager Won
Saturn Awards Best Actress on Television Won
1999 Nominated
2000 Nominated
2001 Nominated
2003 Broadway.com Audience Award for Favorite Solo Performance Tea at Five Nominated
Outer Critics Circle Outstanding Solo Performance Nominated
Lucille Lortel Awards Outstanding Lead Actress Nominated
2004 Carbonell Awards Best Actress Won
2007 Drama League Award Distinguished Performance Our Leading Lady Nominated
2008 Obie Award Outstanding Performance Iphigenia 2.0 Won
2014 Critics' Choice Television Awards Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Orange Is the New Black Won
Satellite Awards Best Cast – Television Series Won
Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Nominated
2015 Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Won
2016 Won
2017 Won
2018 Nominated
2020 Drama League Award Distinguished Performance The Half-Life of Marie Curie Nominated
2021 Saturn Awards Best Guest Starring Role on Television Mr. Mercedes Nominated
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