Kathleen Quinlan
Known for
Kathleen Quinlan is an American actress whose career spans nearly five decades of film and television. She debuted very young in George Lucas's 'American Graffiti', but it was her harrowing performance as a young schizophrenic in 'I Never Promised You a Rose Garden' that revealed her talent and earned her a Golden Globe nomination. Her most acclaimed work came as Marilyn Lovell, the astronaut's wife, in Ron Howard's 'Apollo 13', a role that brought her an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Over the years she alternated dramas, telefilms, and thrillers without losing an earthy, restrained naturalness. Her strength is a sober emotional register, able to sustain tension with gazes rather than with theatrics.
Kathleen Quinlan
54 Movies
19 Series
Kathleen Quinlan is an American actress whose career spans nearly five decades of film and television. She debuted very young in George Lucas's 'American Graffiti', but it was her harrowing performance as a young schizophrenic in 'I Never Promised You a Rose Garden' that revealed her talent and earned her a Golden Globe nomination. Her most acclaimed work came as Marilyn Lovell, the astronaut's wife, in Ron Howard's 'Apollo 13', a role that brought her an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Over the years she alternated dramas, telefilms, and thrillers without losing an earthy, restrained naturalness. Her strength is a sober emotional register, able to sustain tension with gazes rather than with theatrics.
Movies
Plays Marilyn Lovell
Apollo 13
1995
Plays Peters
Event Horizon
1997
Plays Ethel
The Hills Have Eyes
2006
Plays Joan
Made of Honor
2008
Plays Peg
American Graffiti
1973
Plays Patricia Kennealy
The Doors
1991
Plays Amy Taylor
Breakdown
1997
Plays Helen Foley
Twilight Zone: The Movie
1983
Plays Christina Rose Scofield
Prison Break: The Final Break
2009
Plays Bonnie Hanssen
Breach
2007
Plays Anne Anderson
A Civil Action
1998
Plays Julie
Airport '77
1977
Plays Lydia Perrish
Horns
2013
Plays Clare Stockard
Lawn Dogs
1997
Plays Joanie Morse
Warning Sign
1985
Plays Marissa
Parallel
2018
Plays Masterson
Chimera Strain
2018
Plays Mary Beth Dunhill
Zeus & Roxanne
1997
Plays Nancy Shoemaker
Sunset
1988
Plays Janet Dunn
Hanky Panky
1982
Plays Nancy
The Devil Has a Name
2019
Plays Rebecca Linbrook
Elektra Luxx
2011
Plays Wanda
Trial by Jury
1994
Plays Wendy
Lifeguard
1976
Plays Deborah Blake
I Never Promised You a Rose Garden
1977
Plays Eve
The Battle of Shaker Heights
2003
Plays Serena Kamin
My Giant
1998
Plays Mary Every
Cinema Verite
2011
Plays Leona Hart
Clara's Heart
1988
Plays Laurie (segment "Skippy")
Sunday Lovers
1980
Plays Sande Keppel
The Riverman
2004
Plays Ma
The River Why
2010
Plays Nancy McAllister / Marie Adamson
The Promise
1979
Plays Jane
Wild Thing
1987
Plays Audrey
Life's an Itch
2012
Plays Mary Ann Taylor
Independence Day
1983
Plays Agnes Orbison
Humble Pie
2007
Plays Tess Kelley
Perfect Romance
2004
Plays Sheila Amable-Amo
Walking with Herb
2021
Plays Melanie Bauers
Perfect Alibi
1995
Plays Ginnie
The Operation
1990
Plays Sister Rita
The Runner Stumbles
1979
Plays Nora Valentino
After
2014
Plays Grandma Bernice
The Stairs
2021
Plays Lois Lee
Children of the Night
1985
Plays Carol
Elizabeth Blue
2017
Plays Bea
Harm's Way
2008
Plays Joyce
The Last Winter
1984
TV Shows
Plays Lynn Holt
Family Law
1999
Plays Self - Panelist
Hollywood Squares
1998
Plays Jessica
Blue
2012
Plays Christina Rose Scofield
Prison Break
2005
Plays Nanaline Duke
Too Rich: The Secret Life of Doris Duke
1999
Plays Susan Ellerh
Marvel's Runaways
2017
Plays Mrs. Buksar
Mayans M.C.
2018
Plays Arlene McNeil
House
2004
Plays Barbara Tallman
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
2000
Plays Janet Conforti
Kojak
1973
Plays Robin Morgan
Switch
1975
Plays Dr. Kate Delieb
Diagnosis: Murder
1993
Plays Karen Wilson
The New Alfred Hitchcock Presents
1985
Plays Senator Michaels
Stargate Universe
2009
Plays Britt
How to Get Away with Murder
2014
Plays Dr. Shane
Glee
2009
Plays Erika Jarvis
The Event
2010
Plays Bethany
Joe Forrester
1975
Plays Julia
The Hidden Room
1991
Latest Trailers
Watch Trailer
Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 2
Full Filmography
Okay
Loretta
2026
Film
Mayans M.C.
Mrs. Buksar · 2 episodes
2023
TV
Walking with Herb
Sheila Amable-Amo
2021
Film
The Stairs
Grandma Bernice
2021
Film
How to Get Away with Murder
Britt · 1 episode
2019
TV
The Devil Has a Name
Nancy
2019
Film
Parallel
Marissa
2018
Film
Chimera Strain
Masterson
2018
Film
Marvel's Runaways
Susan Ellerh · 3 episodes
2017–
TV
Photos
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Kathleen Quinlan and where are they from?
Kathleen Quinlan is 71 years old, born on November 19, 1954 in Pasadena, California, USA.
What are the most famous roles of Kathleen Quinlan?
Kathleen Quinlan is best known for roles in Apollo 13, The Hills Have Eyes, Event Horizon.
How many movies has Kathleen Quinlan been in?
Over a 53-year career (since 1973), Kathleen Quinlan has appeared in 54 movies and 18 TV shows.
What was Kathleen Quinlan's first movie?
The career of Kathleen Quinlan began with American Graffiti (1973).
What is Kathleen Quinlan's most recent movie or series?
Kathleen Quinlan's most recent release is Okay, which premiered on February 21, 2026.
What TV shows has Kathleen Quinlan appeared in?
On television, Kathleen Quinlan has appeared in House, Prison Break, How to Get Away with Murder, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.
Kathleen Quinlan
1954-11-19 · Pasadena, California, USA
Kathleen Denise Quinlan Abbott (born November 19, 1954) is an American film and television actress. She is best known for her Golden Globe-nominated performance in the 1977 film of the novel I Never Promised You a Rose Garden, and her Golden Globe and Academy Award-nominated role in the 1995 film Apollo 13, along with many roles in other feature films, television movies and series, in a career spanning almost five decades.
She made her feature film debut in Mel Stuart's One Is a Lonely Number (1972) follwed by George Lucas' American Graffiti (1973) and made her definite breakthrough in I Never Promised You a Rose Garden (1977) as Deborah Blake.