MaryKathleen Gordon, professionally known as Kathy, was born and raised in Peoria, Illinois, surrounded by the Midwestern charm of her Irish Catholic upbringing. Despite her wholesome appearance, Kathy has a penchant for darker roles, showcasing her versatility as a character actress. At just 14, she made her stage debut as a 40-year-old shopkeeper in a Community Children's Theatre production of Nicolo and Nicolette, foreshadowing her future as a triple threat.
After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from Butler University, Kathy embarked on a career in summer stock theatre, honing her skills for seven seasons. In 1978, she brought her tap dancing talents to San Francisco's Magic Theatre, starring as the Buddha Bottom in Minnie Mouse and the Tap-Dancing Buddha. The following year, she attended The American Conservatory Theatre's Summer Training Program, further refining her craft.
In the early 1980s, Kathy made her way to New York City, where she studied with Greg Zittel of the Neighborhood Playhouse and worked consistently in commercials. As a "That Singing Comedienne," she entertained audiences with her one-woman shows, "Don't Call Me Mary" and "60 Seconds from Sanity." Her standout performance as the lead in Nicky Silver's dark comedy, Fetid Itch, earned rave reviews from Backstage, hailing her as "fantastic, quirky, and unpredictable – a potential comic superstar."
Seeking new challenges and a change of scenery, Kathy relocated to Los Angeles, where she pursued a passion for film and television. She adopted her beautiful baby boy in 2003, and the experience of single parenthood has deepened her sense of dark humor. Kathy has since appeared in numerous major episodic shows, bringing her unique blend of power, playfulness, compassion, and complexity to each character role. Today, she splits her time between Los Angeles and New York City, embracing her bi-coastal lifestyle.
