Personal Info
Known For
Acting
Born
September 10, 1957 (age 69)
Place of Birth
Geneva, Switzerland
Also Known As
Katherine Burton
케이트 버튼
Katherine "Kate" Burton
Kate Burton
Biography
Kate Burton is a Swiss-born Welsh-American stage and screen actress. She is best known for her TV roles as Vice President Sally Langston on ABC's Scandal, Vera Quinn on the Audience Network's series Full Circle, and Dr. Ellis Grey on ABC's Grey's Anatomy.
She holds an BA in Russian Studies and European History from Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, and an MFA from the Yale School of Drama, New Haven, Connecticut.
Acting for the Camera with Professor of the Practice Kate Burton
VideoKnown For
TV
Law & Order
Sister Bettina
1990
TV
Law & Order
Erica Gardner
1990
TV
Law & Order
Defense Attorney Erica Gardner
1990
TV
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Annette Cole
1999
TV
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Bethany Allen
1999
TV
Grey's Anatomy
Ellis Grey
2005
TV
Modern Family
Iris Fennerman
2009
TV
FBI
Evelyn Kates
2018
TV
Law & Order: Criminal Intent
Stephanie Ufland
2001
TV
Elementary
Maureen Dannon
2012
TV
Grimm
Marie Kessler
2011
TV
American Playhouse
Agnes Bolton O'Neill
1982
TV
The West Wing
Sarah Brainerd
1999
TV
The Good Wife
Victoria Adler
2009
TV
Supergirl
Isabel Nal (voice)
2015
TV
Supergirl
Isabel Nal
2015
TV
The Closer
Kate Wycoff
2005
TV
Scandal
Sally Langston
2012
TV
Great Performances
Alice
1971
TV
This Is Us
Barbara
2016
Filmography
2026FilmDeath on the Brandywineas Ann Riley2025TVThe Beast in Meas Mariah Ingram2025FilmThe Surrenderas Barbara2025FilmViolent Endsas Darlene Woodley2025TVBULLDOZERas Dr. Diane Roddy2025FilmOscar Wilde About America2024Filmgutsas Gabby2023FilmOur Sonas Maggie "Miggie"2023FilmDumb Moneyas Elaine Gill2023FilmHeaven, I Supposeas Cheryl2023FilmThe Anne Frank Gift Shopas Ilse2022TVSo Help Me Toddas Joan2022FilmBreakingas Tami Stackhouse2022TVBosch: Legacyas Ida Porter2022TVThe Dropoutas Rochelle Gibbons2022TVInventing Annaas Nora Radford2021FilmSandra Day O'Connor: The Firstas Narrator (voice)2021TVThe Mosquito Coastas Margot's Mom2021FilmThe Codebreakeras Narrator (voice)2020TVThe Voteas Narrator (voice)2019TVPerfect Harmonyas Julie2019TVProdigal Sonas Sarah Windsor2019FilmWhere'd You Go, Bernadetteas Ellen Idelson2018TVCharmedas Celeste2018FilmAt First Lightas Kate2018TVFBIas Evelyn Kates2017FilmNoël Coward's Present Laughteras Liz Essendine2017TVThe Giftedas Dr. Madeline Risman2017TV13 Reasons Whyas Dr. Hughes2016TVThis Is Usas Barbara2015TVSupergirlas Isabel Nal (voice)2015FilmMartyrsas Eleanor2015FilmIdentity Theftas Anna2015FilmBleeding Heartas Martha2015FilmAmokas Dr. Wilson2014TVMadam Secretaryas Maureen McCord2014FilmDon't Look Backas Dr. Jeanette Barnes2014TVExtantas Fiona Stanton2014FilmBarefootas Mrs. Wheeler2013TVFull Circleas Vera Quinn2013FilmRodgers and Hammerstein's Carousel: Live from Lincoln Centeras Mrs. Mullin2012FilmMariachi Gringoas Anne2012TVElementaryas Maureen Dannon2012TVRevolutionas Jane Warren2012FilmLiberal Artsas Susan2012TVVeepas Barbara Hallowes2012TVScandalas Sally Langston2012Film2 Days in New Yorkas Bella2012TVKey & Peeleas Hillary Clinton2011TVGrimmas Marie Kessler2011FilmCaris' Peaceas Self2011FilmPunctureas Senator O'Reilly2010Film127 Hoursas Aron's Mom2010FilmRemember Meas Janine2010FilmConsentas Susan2010TVThe Deep Endas Grace Graham2009TVModern Familyas Iris Fennerman2009TVThe Good Wifeas Victoria Adler2009FilmWashingtonienneas Joy2009FilmSpooneras Alice Spooner2008FilmWhat Just Happenedas Doctor Randall2008FilmMax Payneas Nicole Horne2008TVEleventh Houras Gepetto / Miranda Cochran2008FilmHidden Treasure of the Mississippias Aunt Birdy2008FilmQuid Pro Quoas Merilee2006FilmSherrybabyas Marcia Swanson2006TVJustice2005FilmStayas Mrs. Letham2005FilmErnest Hemingway: Rivers to the Seaas Narrator (voice)2005TVThe Closeras Kate Wycoff2005TVEmpire Fallsas Cindy Whiting2005TVGrey's Anatomyas Ellis Grey2005TVNumb3rsas Anthropologist2005TVMediumas Bonnie Barrister2004TVRescue Meas Rose2003TVWorking Shakespeare2003FilmThe Diary of Ellen Rimbaueras Connie Posey2003FilmThree Sistersas Olga2002FilmObsessedas Sara Miller2002FilmSwimfanas Carla Cronin2002FilmUnfaithfulas Tracy2001TVLaw & Order: Criminal Intentas Stephanie Ufland2001TV100 Centre Streetas Sheila Byrne2000FilmThe Opportunistsas Rest Home Sister1999TVThe West Wingas Sarah Brainerd1999TVLaw & Order: Special Victims Unitas Annette Cole1999TVJudging Amyas Dr. Sheri Jordan1998FilmCelebrityas Robin's Friend Cheryl1997FilmEllen Fosteras Abigail Montford1997FilmThe Ice Stormas Dorothy Franklin1997TVThe Practiceas A.D.A. Susan Alexander1996FilmMistrialas Katherine Donohue1996FilmLooking for Richardas Self1996FilmThe First Wives Clubas Woman in Bed1996FilmAugustas Helen Blathwaite1995FilmNotes for My Daughteras Brenda Gardner1994TVMontyas Fran Richardson1993FilmLove Mattersas Deborah1993FilmLife with Mikeyas Mrs. Burns1992TVHome Firesas Anne Kramer1991TVBrooklyn Bridge1990TVLaw & Orderas Sister Bettina1989FilmBroadway's Dreamers: The Legacy of the Group Theatreas Self1988TVAmerican Experienceas Narrator1988FilmIn from the Cold? A Portrait of Richard Burtonas Self1987FilmUncle Tom's Cabinas Ophelia1986FilmBig Trouble in Little Chinaas Margo1985TVSpenser: For Hire1985TVEvergreenas Agatha Bradford1984TVEllis Islandas Vanessa Ogden1983FilmAlice in Wonderlandas Alice1982TVAmerican Playhouseas Agnes Bolton O'Neill1971TVGreat Performancesas Alice1969FilmAnne of the Thousand Daysas Serving Maid (uncredited)1956TVTony Awardsas Self - Nominee1951TVHallmark Hall of Fameas Abigail—FilmRSC Meets USA: Working Shakespeareas Self—FilmA Great Depression