
Person
Kate Nelligan
Acting · Born 1950-03-16 · London, Ontario, Canada
Biography
Kate Nelligan (born Patricia Colleen Nelligan; March 16, 1950) is a British retired actress, who was celebrated for her commanding performances and versatility. She trained at Glendon College in Toronto and London's Central School of Speech and Drama before launching her professional career in 1972 with the Bristol Old Vic, appearing in productions like Barefoot in the Park. Nelligan rose to prominence in the UK with the National Theatre in plays such as David Hare's Knuckle (1974) and Tales from the Vienna Woods (1977), alongside early television roles in The Onedin Line and her film debut in The Romantic Englishwoman (1975). In the early 1980s, she relocated to New York, where she garnered critical acclaim on Broadway, earning four Tony Award nominations for Plenty (1983), A Moon for the Misbegotten (1984), Serious Money (1988), and Spoils of War (1989). Her film career flourished with standout roles in Eye of the Needle (1981) opposite Donald Sutherland, Without a Trace (1983), and later Frankie and Johnny (1991), for which she won a BAFTA for Best Supporting Actress; she also received an Academy Award nomination for The Prince of Tides (1991). Other notable films include Wolf (1994), U.S. Marshals (1998), and The Cider House Rules (1999).
Known for

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Sylvia Quinn

Play for Today
Hilary

American Playhouse
Barbara Hoyle
Film '72
Self

Eleventh Hour
Gepetto

Performance
Kate

U.S. Marshals
Walsh

The Cider House Rules
Olive Worthington

Heritage Minutes
Emily Murphy

Hallmark Hall of Fame
Margaret Pfeiffer
Filmography
- 2008Eleventh HourGepetto
- 2007PremonitionJoanne
- 2006In from the NightVera Miller
- 2005Revisiting BridesheadSelf (archive footage)
- 2003A Wrinkle in TimeMrs. Which
- 2001Walter and HenryElizabeth
- 2000Blessed Stranger: After Flight 111Kate O'Rourke
- 1999The Cider House RulesOlive Worthington
- 1999Law & Order: Special Victims UnitSylvia Quinn
- 1999Swing VoteJustice Sara Marie Brandwynne
- 1999Love Is StrangeKathryn McClain
- 1998Boy Meets GirlMrs. Jones
- 1998Stolen MomentsNarrator (voice)
- 1998U.S. MarshalsWalsh
- 1997Rape: A Crime of WarNarrator
- 1996Calm at SunsetMargaret Pfeiffer
- 1996Captive Heart: The James Mink StoryElizabeth Mink
- 1996Up Close & PersonalJoanna Kennelly
- 1995How to Make an American QuiltConstance Saunders
- 1995Margaret's MuseumCatherine MacNeil
- 1995A Mother's PrayerSheila Walker
- 1994Million Dollar BabiesHelena Reid
- 1994Into the DeepSelf - Narrator (voice)
- 1994WolfCharlotte Randall
- 1994Spoils of WarElise
- 1994By Woman's HandSelf - Narrator (voice)
- 1993Fatal InstinctLana Ravine
- 1993Shattered Trust: The Shari Karney StoryStephanie Chadford
- 1993Liar, LiarSusan Miori
- 1992The Diamond Fleece
- 1992Heritage Minutes: Emily MurphyEmily Murphy
- 1992Terror Stalks the Class ReunionKay
- 1991The Prince of TidesLila Wingo Newbury
- 1991Shadows and FogEve
- 1991Old Times
- 1991Frankie and JohnnyCora
- 1991PerformanceKate
- 1991Golden FiddlesAnne Balfour
- 1991Heritage MinutesEmily Murphy
- 1990White RoomJane
- 1989Love & Hate: The Story of Colin and Joanne ThatcherJoAnn Thatcher
- 1987Kojak: The Price of JusticeKitty
- 1987ControlSarah Howell
- 1985EleniEleni
- 1983Without a TraceSusan Selky
- 1982American PlayhouseBarbara Hoyle
- 1982VictimsRuth Hession
- 1981Eye of the NeedleLucy
- 1981Mr. PatmanPeabody
- 1980Therese RaquinThérèse
- 1980Dreams of LeavingCharlotte
- 1979DraculaLucy Seward
- 1979Measure for MeasureIsabella
- 1978The BBC Television ShakespeareIsabella
- 1978Licking HitlerAnna Seaton
- 1977The Sunday DramaAnn
- 1977Do as I SayHilary
- 1977BethuneFrances Bethune
- 1976The Lady of the CamelliasMarguerite Gautier
- 1975The Count of Monte-CristoMercédès
- 1975The Romantic EnglishwomanIsabel
- 1974The Arcata PromiseLaura
- 1973The Four BeautiesChristie
- 1972The EdwardiansAlice Keppel
- 1972Country MattersChristie Davenport
- 1971Film '72Self
- 1970Play for TodayHilary
- 1951Hallmark Hall of FameMargaret Pfeiffer
- —Human Cargo
Follow their work on Vescene
Rate films and shows on two axes — quality and fun — and share taste with friends.