Kathleen Chalfant
Born: 1945-01-14 in San Francisco, California, USA
Known For: Acting
Biography
Kathleen Chalfant (b. 1945, San Francisco) is an American actress, primarily a stage performer. She earned a Tony nomination for Angels in America (1993) and won multiple awards for Wit (1998), including a Drama Desk, Lucille Lortel, and Obie. She received the Obie for Lifetime Achievement in 2018. On screen, her highlights include Old (2021) and Familiar Touch (2024), the latter earning her the Venice Orizzonti Award and the National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actress. She is married to photographer Henry Chalfant.
Filmography
2025
- The Copenhagen Test as St. George
- Familiar Touch as Ruth
- Where to Land as Elizabeth
2024
- Turning Blue as Clara
2022
- The Courtroom as Judge Easterbrook
2021
- Old as Agnes
2020
- 500 Calories as Ms. Evangeline
2018
- New Amsterdam as Molly
2017
- Class Rank as Barbara – The Editor in Chief
- They Shall Not Perish as Mabel Elliot
- Ambition's Debt as Soothsayer
2015
- Welcome to This House as Elizabeth Bishop
2014
- Madam Secretary as Dean Felicia Ward
- The Strain as Abraham's Grandmother
- The Affair as Margaret Butler
- Forever as Gloria Carlyle
- My America
2013
- The Blacklist as Alberta Gilbert
- House of Cards as Margaret Tilden
- The Americans as Aunt Helen
- Muhammad Ali's Greatest Fight as Ethel Harlan
- A Dream of Flying as Old Woman
- Isn't It Delicious as Joan Weldon
2012
- Elementary as Mrs. Clennon
2010
- The Last New Yorker as Mimi
2009
- Mercy
- Duplicity as Pam Frailes
- The People Speak as Self
- Georgia O'Keeffe as Mrs. Stieglitz
2007
- Perfect Stranger as Elizabeth Clayton
- First Born as Mrs. Kasperian
2006
- The Book of Daniel as Catherine Webster
2005
- Lackawanna Blues as Mrs. Carmichael
2004
- Rescue Me as Sean's Ma
- Kinsey as Barbara Merkle
- 2BPerfectlyHonest as Female Customer
- The Pornographer: A Love Story as Mom
2002
- The Laramie Project as Anonymous Female Rancher
- A Death in the Family as Aunt Hannah
- Book of Kings as Nina
2001
- Law & Order: Criminal Intent as Bessie Holland
- The Guardian as Laurie Solt
2000
- The Beat
- Company Man as Mother Quimp
1999
- Law & Order: Special Victims Unit as Judge Cutress
- Storm of the Century as Joanna Stanhope
1998
- The Last Days of Disco as Zenia
- A Price Above Rubies as Beggar Woman
- QM, I Think I'll Call Her QM as Dr. Ruth Fielding
- Side Streets as Nanda
1997
- David Searching as Grandmother
1996
- Spin City as Mother Superior
- MURDER and murder as Mildred
1994
- New York Undercover
- Junior as Casitas Madres Receptionist
1992
- Bob Roberts as Constance Roberts
1991
- Jumpin' at the Boneyard as Mom
- Out of the Rain as Ruth
- Dangerous Music as Therapist
1990
- Law & Order as Defense Attorney Lisa Cutler
- Tales from the Darkside: The Movie as Dean (segment ‘Lot 249’)
1989
- Miss Firecracker as Miss Lilly
1987
- Five Corners as Mrs. Fitzgerald
1986
- L.A. Law as Sister Marlene Branson
1982
- American Playhouse as Erna Hauser