Kristine Sutherland's passion for theater led her to her first stage performance in high school, where she initially attended an audition as moral support for a friend, but ultimately decided to audition herself. Throughout the 1980s, she continued to work as an actress on stage, landing a few pilot roles and making her big-screen debut in Honey, I Shrunk the Kids in 1989.
In 1993, Kristine and her husband, John Pankow, relocated to Los Angeles, seeking to provide a more stable upbringing for their daughter. Kristine's agent, however, remained unaware of her move, and surprisingly contacted her about a part that he believed she would be perfect for. She went on to audition for the role of Joyce Summers on the popular television show Buffy the Vampire Slayer in 1997.
In 1999, Kristine and her family decided to take a year-long sabbatical in Italy, aiming to allow their daughter to learn the language organically during her school year. During this time, Kristine would occasionally fly back to the United States to film select episodes of Buffy. The family returned to America in 2000, maintaining residences in both Los Angeles and New York.
Since departing from her role on Buffy, Kristine has pursued other interests, including photography. She went on to complete a college course at Santa Monica College, earning her qualification as a photographer. In her free time, Kristine enjoys cooking Italian dishes with her husband, John.
