# Kate O'Toole (actress)

Kate Eurwen O'Toole (/ˈɛərwɛn/ AIR-wen, Welsh:; born 26 February 1960) is an English actress.

## Early life

O'Toole was born on 26 February 1960 in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England. She is the daughter of actors Peter O'Toole and Siân Phillips. Due to her parents, she has four portraits in the National Portrait Gallery, London from when she was a child.

## Career

Kate O'Toole is a versatile actress with an extensive career spanning theater, television, and film. In 2006, she captivated audiences in the West End production of Tennessee Williams' Summer and Smoke at the Apollo Theatre, London, showcasing her profound ability to embody complex characters. That same year, she appeared in Channel 4's Forgiven, earning critical acclaim for her performance.
O'Toole also gained international recognition for her role as Lady Salisbury in the Showtime series The Tudors. She appeared in the first and third seasons of the historical drama, delivering a compelling portrayal of the noblewoman caught in the tumultuous court of King Henry VIII.
In theater, O'Toole's talents have been widely celebrated. She was nominated for Best Actress at the Irish Times Theatre Awards for her portrayal of Rough Magic Theatre Company's production of Terry Johnson's Dead Funny. The nomination highlighted her ability to navigate the play's dark humor and poignant moments with equal finesse. She also won the prestigious Best Actress UK award in the Barclays/Arts Council Theatre Awards for her outstanding performance as 'B' in Edward Albee's Three Tall Women at the Lyric Theatre in Belfast. This performance cemented her reputation as a leading figure in contemporary theater, demonstrating her exceptional range and emotional depth.
Beyond these notable roles, O'Toole has contributed to numerous stage and screen productions, consistently delivering performances that resonate with audiences. Her career is marked by a dedication to exploring complex characters and narratives, whether in classical works, modern dramas, or television series.
Her artistic contributions extend to her involvement in the Irish arts community, where she has supported and championed creative initiatives. In 2013, she was appointed to the Irish Film Board, further solidifying her influence on the cultural landscape.

### Filmography

In 2010 she filmed a remake of Patrice Leconte's classic L'homme du Train with Donald Sutherland and U2's Larry Mullen.
Her other film credits include The Confusion of Tongues (2014), Hideaways (2011), Possession (2002), Dancing at Lughnasa (1998), Get Well Soon (BBC TV series), Eden, Laughter in the Dark, 32A and The Dead. She appeared in RTÉ One's reality cookery programme The Restaurant where she succeeded in winning four out of a possible five stars.
She was the executive producer of the short film Good Luck, Mr. Gorski.
Minister for Arts, Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Jimmy Deenihan, appointed her to the Irish Film Board in 2013. She is the chairwoman of Ireland's film festival, the Galway Film Fleadh.

## Personal life

She was named after American actress Katharine Hepburn, whom her father admired and would later work with in the historical drama The Lion in Winter, released in 1968.
In November 2008, O'Toole was convicted of driving while drunk and disqualified from driving for three years. Her blood sample showed that she was three times over the legal drink-drive limit.