1964-

British actress

Burke's mother died of cancer when she was 18 months old, and she spent the next two years in foster care with family friends, until she was able to rejoin her father and two older brothers in a council flat in Islington, London. Her childhood was happy in spite of her father's alcoholism.

She had intended to be a music journalist but was redirected into acting after free weekend classes at a drama school in 1982. She has appeared in Scrubbers, Nil by Mouth (winning Best Actress at the Cannes Film Festival), Absolutely Fabulous, Harry Enfield and Chums, Common as Muck, Tom Jones and others.

References

Duncan, Andrew. "The Andrew Duncan Interview: Kathy Burke," Radio Times, 22-28 November 1997, pp. 14-15, 18

Indexes

European
Uk/great Britain
20th Century
21st Century
Theater, Broadcasting, Cinema
Birth or Infancy
Unmarried Mother, Single Parent (Mother or Father) Unable to Cope
Family Friends or Acquaintances
Temporary Care
Customary or Traditional Adoption, Informal and Extra-Legal Care
Parent(s) Died, Disappeared or Became Incapacitated
Birth Sibling(s) Remained With or Returned to Birth Family