Kathleen Robertson
About
Biography
Filmography
Family & Companions
Biography
A pert, brunette ingenue who teased the men of "Beverly Hills, 90210" for four seasons, Kathleen Robertson played Clare Arnold on the Fox TV series from 1994-97, with her character departing Southern California for France. Around the time she chose to leave the series, the actress was on the big screen as a trashy lesbian in Gregg Araki's visually striking "Nowhere" (1997).
Born and raised in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, Robertson began to study acting, voice, and dance at age 10. She was still in her teens when she played Tina Edison, the genius daughter, in "Maniac Mansions," a TV series about a family of inventors which aired in the USA on "The Family Channel" (1990-93). In 1992, Robertson had a co-starring role in the Canadian feature "Lapse of Memory" and when she was invited to Los Angeles for its screening, she decided to remain and try her luck in Hollywood. Although only 19 years old, she acclimated quickly and within less than a year, had played a young woman threatened by the plague in "Quiet Killer" (CBS, 1992) and a young woman who, along with Stefanie Powers, was threatened by a street gang in "Survive the Night" (USA Network, 1993). Robertson was also a girl who catches the eye of a troubled teen in "Liar's Edge" (Showtime, 1992) and a rather seductive young woman in "Blown Away" (HBO, 1993).
But it was the role of the somewhat bitchy Clare Arnold, added in part to fill the void created by the departure of Shannen Doherty, that brought her attention. During her tenure on the show, the character interacted with all the major regulars: she romanced Brandon (Jason Priestley) roomed with Kelly and Donna (Jenny Garth and Tori Spelling) and had liaisons with both David and Steve (Brian Austin Greene and Ian Ziering). Since her decision to leave the series coincided with the release of "Nowhere," undoubtedly Robertson hoped that the film might open new avenues in her career. She did receive additional publicity when she was linked romantically with its director, Gregg Araki, who had previously self-identified as a gay man.
While Robertson's film career did not immediately rocket her into stardom, she enjoyed a steady flow of roles throughout the rest of the nineties and through the millenium. She starred in the Sally Field directed project "Beautiful" in 2000 and co-starred in the teen flick "Scary Movie 2" in 2001. In 2003, Robertson starred in the independent film "XX/YY" which premiered at Sundance. Perhaps signaling a desire to take on more challenging roles, Roberston played a woman who embarks on a three-way relationship with two male college friends, only to find it haunting her ten years later.
Filmography
Cast (Feature Film)
Writer (Feature Film)
Cast (TV Mini-Series)
Life Events
1990
Made TV series debut in "Maniac Mansions" (The Family Channel)
1992
Made feature film debut in "Lapse of Memory"
1992
Co-starred in TV-movie "Quiet Killer" (CBS)
1994
Had a recurring role as Clare Arnold on the Fox series "Beverly Hills, 90210"; became a regular cast member in 1994
1997
Played featured role as the blue-haired lesbian Lucifer in Gregg Araki's "Nowhere"
1999
Reteamed with Araki for the menage-a-trois comedy-drama "Splendor"
2000
Had featured role in the Sally Field-directed "Beautiful"
2000
Starred in "Psycho Beach Party"
2001
Co-starred in the spoof sequel "Scary Movie 2"
2002
Cast in FOX ensemble drama "Girl's Club"
2003
Had a leading role in the Sundance screened "XX/XY"
2006
Cast opposite Adrien Brody and Ben Affleck in "Hollywoodland"
2007
Cast as Azkadelia in the "Tin Man" (Sci-Fi), a six hour miniseries is based on L. Frank Baum's book <i>The Wonderful Wizard of Oz</i>
Companions
