Kathleen Erin Walsh (born October 13, 1967)[1] is an American actress and businesswoman. She is best known for her role as Dr. Addison Montgomery in the ABC medical drama series Grey's Anatomy (2005–2012, 2021–2023) and Private Practice (2007–2013).
Walsh is also known for her roles as Nicki Fifer in the ABC sitcom The Drew Carey Show (1997–2002), Rebecca Wright in the NBC legal sitcom Bad Judge (2014–2015), Olivia Baker in the Netflix teen drama series 13 Reasons Why (2017–2019), The Handler in the Netflix superhero drama series The Umbrella Academy (2019–2024), and Madeline Wheeler in the Netflix comedy-drama series Emily in Paris (2020–present).
Early life
Walsh was born and raised in San Jose, California,[1][2] the daughter of Angela and Joseph Patrick Walsh Sr.[3][4] She grew up in a Catholic household[5] in Tucson, Arizona. Her mother is of Italian descent,[6][7][8] and her father was Irish, from Navan in County Meath.
Walsh graduated from Catalina Magnet High School and studied acting at the University of Arizona before dropping out. Walsh moved to New York City and joined a comedy troupe, Burn Manhattan, supporting herself by waitressing.[9][10]
Career
Walsh worked at fast-food outlets before modeling and teaching English in Japan in the 1980s. Later, she moved to Chicago and worked with the Piven Theatre Workshop.[11][12] She performed on National Public Radio in the production of the radio play Born Guilty.[13]
Walsh founded Boyfriend LLC, a beauty and lifestyle company, in 2010.[14]
Television roles
Walsh at the HBO Post-Emmys Party in 2008.
After playing Cathy Buxton in the Homicide: Life on the Street episode "Stakeout" in 1996 and Navy Lieutenant Kirstin Blair in the Law & Order episode "Navy Blues", Walsh's first major television appearance was in 1997, when she appeared on The Drew Carey Show as Drew Carey's love interest, Nicki Fifer. She wore a fatsuit in some episodes of the show.
On June 12, 2012, Walsh announced that the sixth season of Private Practice would be her final season.[17] However, she mentioned she'd be open to reprise her role in Grey's Anatomy for a few guest spots.
In 2014, Walsh had a supporting role in the first season of FX's television series Fargo. She had a guest starring role in Hulu's original series The Hotwives of Orlando and later starred in the NBC series Bad Judge, which aired for one season. From 2017 to 2019, Walsh starred in the Netflix drama series 13 Reasons Why, as the mother of a child who dies by suicide. Her performance was met with critical acclaim, having been dubbed the "best work" of her career.[19]
In 2019 and 2020, Walsh had a significant recurring role as "the Handler" in the Netflix series The Umbrella Academy. Her most recent role has been on Netflix Original, Emily in Paris, where she plays Emily's boss who gets pregnant and can no longer move to Paris for their marketing job, so she sends Emily instead. In September 2021, Walsh announced she would be reprising her role as Dr. Addison Montgomery in the eighteenth season of Grey's Anatomy in a guest starring role.[20]
In 2003, Walsh appeared in Under the Tuscan Sun. Regarding her lesbian roles, Walsh said: "Do I give off a girl-on-girl vibe, I wonder? Or is it because I'm tall? I guess the chicks just dig me!"[21]
Walsh was set to star opposite in the supernatural thriller 1408, but had to drop out due to scheduling conflicts.[22] Walsh starred in the biblical horror film Legion, that was released on January 22, 2010.[23] She played Charlie's mother in The Perks of Being a Wallflower.
Theatre
In May 2010, Walsh made her off-Broadway debut opposite Paul Sparks in Atlantic Theater Company's world premiere of Stephen Belber's Dusk Rings a Bell. The new play began previews on May 19 and opened May 27 at Atlantic Stage 2 and played through June 26. The New York Times called it "a sublime, beautifully acted drama".[24] She also had a long theater career in Chicago, which included roles in Happy Birthday Wanda June, The Danube, Moon Under Miami and Troilus and Cressida. In New York, Walsh was a member of the improvisational comedy troupe Burn Manhattan and the New York City Players theater ensemble.[25]
Personal life
Walsh married 20th Century Fox executive Alex Young on September 1, 2007.[26] On December 11, 2008, Young filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences; the official date of separation in the divorce petition was listed as November 22.[27] On December 24, 2008, Walsh counterfiled for divorce, contesting the date of separation listed in Young's divorce papers.[28] The divorce was finalized on February 5, 2010.[29]
In October 2022, Walsh revealed she was engaged to Australian farmer Andrew Nixon.[30] Walsh resides in Perth, Western Australia.[31]
Health
In September 2017, Walsh revealed that she was diagnosed with a benign meningioma in 2015. She underwent surgery for removal of the tumor and took a nine-month break to recover.[32] She underwent a hip replacement in November 2019.[33]
In July 2008, Walsh was nominated as a candidate on the Unite for Strength slate for a place on the national governing board of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) in elections scheduled for September 18, 2008.[38] On September 18, 2008, Walsh was elected to serve on the SAG board for a three-year term.[39]
Walsh supports pet adoption and frequently campaigns for the cause. On February 7, 2008, she cut the ribbon to a new dog adoption center in Times Square.[40] In 2005, Walsh joined the Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA)'s Board of Advocates, and in 2008 received the PPFA Maggie Award for an Artist who Stands Up for Reproductive Health and Freedom. She has participated in numerous Planned Parenthood activities, including national fundraisers, local Planned Parenthood affiliate events, the PPFA Awards Gala, and lobby day on Capitol Hill promoting the need for comprehensive sex education. In January 2009, she spoke at the Planned Parenthood Presidential Inauguration Brunch in Washington, D.C.[41]
As announced in late 2009, Walsh partnered with ocean conservancy and advocacy group Oceana to call for increased sea turtle protections. She joined experts from the group on a trip to the Virgin Islands to witness the turtles' hatching and moving to the sea.[42]
During the 2016 election, Walsh was a supporter of Hillary Clinton, publicly endorsing her and campaigning for her several times in California, Arizona, New Hampshire, and Virginia.[43]
