Kate Burton

Acting

Kate Burton

Born 10 September 1957 · Geneva, Switzerland · 69

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.

Known for

Highlights

Grey's Anatomy2005 · Series · Ellis Grey
Grimm2011 · Series · Marie Kessler
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit1999 · Series · Annette Cole
Modern Family2009 · Series · Iris Fennerman
127 Hours2010 · Film · Aron's Mom
13 Reasons Why2017 · Series · Dr. Hughes

Filmography

Movies

53 films

Death on the Brandywine2026 · Film · Ann Riley
The Surrender2025 · Film · Barbara
Violent Ends2025 · Film · Darlene Woodley
Oscar Wilde About America2025 · Film
guts2024 · Film · Gabby
Our Son2023 · Film · Maggie "Miggie"
Dumb Money2023 · Film · Elaine Gill
Heaven, I Suppose2023 · Film · Cheryl
The Anne Frank Gift Shop2023 · Film · Ilse
Breaking2022 · Film · Tami Stackhouse
Where'd You Go, Bernadette2019 · Film · Ellen Idelson
At First Light2018 · Film · Kate
Noël Coward's Present Laughter2017 · Film · Liz Essendine
Martyrs2015 · Film · Eleanor
Identity Theft2015 · Film · Anna
Bleeding Heart2015 · Film · Martha
Amok2015 · Film · Dr. Wilson
Don't Look Back2014 · Film · Dr. Jeanette Barnes
Barefoot2014 · Film · Mrs. Wheeler
Rodgers and Hammerstein's Carousel: Live from Lincoln Center2013 · Film · Mrs. Mullin
Mariachi Gringo2012 · Film · Anne
Liberal Arts2012 · Film · Susan
2 Days in New York2012 · Film · Bella
Puncture2011 · Film · Senator O'Reilly
127 Hours2010 · Film · Aron's Mom
Remember Me2010 · Film · Janine
Consent2010 · Film · Susan
Washingtonienne2009 · Film · Joy
Spooner2009 · Film · Alice Spooner
What Just Happened2008 · Film · Doctor Randall
Max Payne2008 · Film · Nicole Horne
Hidden Treasure of the Mississippi2008 · Film · Aunt Birdy
Quid Pro Quo2008 · Film · Merilee
Sherrybaby2006 · Film · Marcia Swanson
Stay2005 · Film · Mrs. Letham
The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer2003 · Film · Connie Posey
Three Sisters2003 · Film · Olga
Obsessed2002 · Film · Sara Miller
Swimfan2002 · Film · Carla Cronin
Unfaithful2002 · Film · Tracy
The Opportunists2000 · Film · Rest Home Sister
Celebrity1998 · Film · Robin's Friend Cheryl
Ellen Foster1997 · Film · Abigail Montford
The Ice Storm1997 · Film · Dorothy Franklin
Mistrial1996 · Film · Katherine Donohue
The First Wives Club1996 · Film · Woman in Bed
August1996 · Film · Helen Blathwaite
Love Matters1993 · Film · Deborah
Life with Mikey1993 · Film · Mrs. Burns
Uncle Tom's Cabin1987 · Film · Ophelia
Big Trouble in Little China1986 · Film · Margo
Alice in Wonderland1983 · Film · Alice
Anne of the Thousand Days1969 · Film · Serving Maid (uncredited)

Filmography

Series

50 shows

The Beast in Me2025 · Series · Mariah Ingram
Ransom Canyon2025 · Series · Katherine Bullock
So Help Me Todd2022 · Series · Joan
Bosch: Legacy2022 · Series · Ida Porter
The Dropout2022 · Series · Rochelle Gibbons
Inventing Anna2022 · Series · Nora Radford
The Mosquito Coast2021 · Series · Margot's Mom
Perfect Harmony2019 · Series · Julie
Prodigal Son2019 · Series · Sarah Windsor
Charmed2018 · Series · Celeste
FBI2018 · Series · Evelyn Kates
The Gifted2017 · Series · Dr. Madeline Risman
13 Reasons Why2017 · Series · Dr. Hughes
This Is Us2016 · Series · Barbara
Supergirl2015 · Series · Isabel Nal (voice)
Madam Secretary2014 · Series · Maureen McCord
Extant2014 · Series · Fiona Stanton
Full Circle2013 · Series · Vera Quinn
Elementary2012 · Series · Maureen Dannon
Revolution2012 · Series · Jane Warren
Veep2012 · Series · Barbara Hallowes
Scandal2012 · Series · Sally Langston
Key & Peele2012 · Series · Hillary Clinton
Grimm2011 · Series · Marie Kessler
The Deep End2010 · Series · Grace Graham
Modern Family2009 · Series · Iris Fennerman
The Good Wife2009 · Series · Victoria Adler
Eleventh Hour2008 · Series · Gepetto / Miranda Cochran
Justice2006 · Series
The Closer2005 · Series · Kate Wycoff
Empire Falls2005 · Series · Cindy Whiting
Grey's Anatomy2005 · Series · Ellis Grey
Numb3rs2005 · Series · Anthropologist
Medium2005 · Series · Bonnie Barrister
Rescue Me2004 · Series · Rose
Working Shakespeare2003 · Series
Law & Order: Criminal Intent2001 · Series · Stephanie Ufland
100 Centre Street2001 · Series · Sheila Byrne
The West Wing1999 · Series · Sarah Brainerd
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit1999 · Series · Annette Cole
Judging Amy1999 · Series · Dr. Sheri Jordan
The Practice1997 · Series · A.D.A. Susan Alexander
Monty1994 · Series · Fran Richardson
Brooklyn Bridge1991 · Series
Law & Order1990 · Series · Sister Bettina
Spenser: For Hire1985 · Series
Evergreen1985 · Series · Agatha Bradford
Ellis Island1984 · Series · Vanessa Ogden
American Playhouse1982 · Series · Agnes Bolton O'Neill
Great Performances1971 · Series · Alice