EngAGE Stories

EngAGE thanks The Kathryn Joosten Project, which helps fund the Neo Cold Reading workshops at the Burbank Senior Artists Colony. Click here to learn more.

Kathryn Joosten (1939-2012) began acting in community theatre at the age of forty-two and later became a founding member of Theatre Neo. In her mid-fifties, she broke into television. She is best remembered for her portrayals of “Karen McCluskey” on Desperate Housewives on ABC, for which she received two Emmy awards; and “Mrs. Landingham,” secretary to the President (Martin Sheen) on the critically-acclaimed NBC drama, The West Wing. She also had a recurring role on Dharma & Greg, and guest-starred on many hit television series, such as Becker, Arli$$, Ally McBeal, Providence, and Scrubs. Kathy was also recognized as one of Murphy Brown‘s secretaries, Frasier‘s agent’s mother, and the bingo buddy to Drew Carey’s girlfriend on The Drew Carey Show, in addition to performances on many other prime-time shows. Her credits are impressive for any actor, let alone one that began the craft at age 42; she previously worked as a psychiatric nurse prior to her marriage and starting a family.

Kathy blossomed in her senior years and was an active member of Theatre Neo and Neo Ensemble Theatre. In tribute to her commitment to the company and in celebration of a career that started after her children were adults, Neo Ensemble Theatre launched a community outreach project in her honor. The Kathryn Joosten Project “Silver Stars” has as its goal: “Providing services for seniors to enrich their artistic lives, expand their knowledge and improve the theatrical community as a whole.” Burbank Senior Artists Colony residents are some of the fortunate seniors who benefit from this effort!