Mary Kate Schellhardt was born into an artistic family, where she was constantly surrounded by the performing arts. She spent most of her childhood in acting classes, where she honed her skills and developed a passion for the craft.
At the tender age of 13, Mary Kate's life took a dramatic turn when she was discovered by casting director Gail Levin during a nationwide search for the role of "Ellen Grape" in Lasse Hallström's critically acclaimed film, What's Eating Gilbert Grape (1993). This marked the beginning of her film career, and she quickly became a rising star in Hollywood.
During her final two years of high school, Mary Kate shot several films, including Free Willy 2: The Adventure Home (1995),Apollo 13 (1995),and The Great Mom Swap (1995). She traveled extensively for these projects, filming on location in Austin, Los Angeles, and the San Juan Islands.
Despite her early success, Mary Kate was determined to lead a normal life outside of her film work. She continued to act in plays during her high school years, and after graduating, she enrolled in Carnegie Mellon University's School of Drama, an esteemed acting conservatory in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
After completing her degree, Mary Kate moved to Los Angeles and began working in television and film once again. She spent three years in the artistic mecca of Brooklyn before relocating to Los Angeles in 2014. Currently, she splits her time between the coasts, seeking to establish herself in the diverse arenas of stage, film, and television.
