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// Workers AI · dad joke modeWhy did K Callan go to the phone? She had a calling.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
K Callan
Callan in 2022
Born (1936-01-09) January 9, 1936 (age 90)
Dallas, Texas, U.S.
Alma materNorth Texas State University
OccupationsActress, author
Years active1956–present
Known forLois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman
Children3
Websitewww.kcallan.com Edit this at Wikidata

Katherine Callan (born January 9 [1]) is an American actress and writer, In a career spanning more than six decades, Callan appeared in more than 150 film and television productions. She made her big screen debut starring in the 1970 satirical drama Joe and later appeared in films A Touch of Class (1973), The Onion Field (1979), American Gigolo (1980), Frankie & Johnny (1991), Nine Lives (2005) and Knives Out (2019). On television she played Clark Kent's mother Martha in the ABC comedy-drama series, Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman (1993-1997). She also had recurring roles on Dallas, Coach, Carnivàle, How I Met Your Mother, Getting On, Veep and Widow's Bay.

Early life

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Katherine Callan[2] was born in Dallas, Texas.[1] When she was 5 years old, she felt that she wanted to act. She did so in school, and as a student at North Texas State University at Denton, she studied drama. She went on to teach drama at a Catholic girls' school, and she began an arena theatre at that high school with James Callan.[3]

Career

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Callan first appeared on television in an episode of Route 66 that happened to be shooting in Dallas. She later moved to New York and received her acting training with Herbert Berghof at HB Studio[4], as well as Stella Adler, Larry Ross and others in Los Angeles. In 1964, she had a recurring role in soap opera, The Secret Storm. In 1970, Callan made her big screen debut starring as Mary Lou Curran, the long-suffering, mousy wife of Peter Boyle's title character in the 1970 satirical drama Joe directed by John G. Avildsen.[5] She later played supporting roles in films A Touch of Class (1973) and The Onion Field (1979).

In 1972, Callan starred as Evelyn Jackson in the television adaptation of the 1966 Lanford Wilson play The Rimers of Eldritch.[6] Callan made TV commercials for products, including Anacin, Endust, Geritol, and Sanka.[7] She resumed her television career in 1976 playing the recurring role on CBS sitcom One Day at a Time, and guest-starring parts on Barney Miller, All in the Family, Rhoda, Family and The Waltons. In 1979, she starred in the short-lived drama series, Married: The First Year, and from 1979 to 1980 was female lead on the sitcom Joe's World.[8] In 1980 she also appeared in films American Gigolo and A Change of Seasons and later went to appear in made-for-television movies such as This House Possessed (1981), Splendor in the Grass (1981), Flight 90: Disaster on the Potomac (1984) and Hollywood Wives (1985). From 1980 to 1981 she had supporting role on the short-lived prime time soap opera, Secrets of Midland Heights and in 1983 was regular cast member on the medical drama Cutter to Houston. During the 1980s, Callan also guest-starred on Quincy M.E., Father Murphy, Lou Grant, Newhart, Knots Landing, Remington Steele, St. Elsewhere, Moonlighting and Quantum Leap.

In 1990, Callan portrayed Amy Stevens, the mother of April Stevens Ewing in several episodes of the penultimate season of prime time soap opera, Dallas and the same time had recurring role on sitcom Coach. In 1993 she was cast as Clark Kent's mother Martha in the ABC comedy-drama series, Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman. The series ended in 1997 after four seasons. During the 1990s, Callan also appeared in films The Unborn (1991), Frankie & Johnny (1991) and Safe (1995), and made guest appearances on L.A. Law, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, NYPD Blue, Chicago Hope and Dawson's Creek. In 2000s, Callan performed in a recurring role as Eleanor McGill in the HBO series, Carnivàle (2003-2005), and guest-starred in shows such as CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Nip/Tuck, The Closer, the third-season finale of Desperate Housewives as Ilene Britt, the mother of Edie Britt (Nicollette Sheridan), ER and Castle. From 2009 to 2010 she was regular cast member on the TBS sitcom Meet the Browns playing the role of Miss Daisy LaRue. She also portrayed Lily's maternal grandmother on several episodes of How I Met Your Mother from 2007 to 2012.

In 2013, Callan had a recurring role on the HBO comedy series, Getting On and in 2016 in the political comedy Veep. In 2019, she played Wanetta "Great Nana" Thrombey in the mystery film Knives Out (2019).[9] In 2022, she played her first leading film role in the comedy-drama Pie in the Sky based on stage play.[10][11] In 2023 she starred in an episode "Time of the Monkey" of murder mystery series, Poker Face. The following year she played Elizabeth, mother of John the Baptist on The Chosen and appeared in the thriller film Sew Torn.[12] In 2026, Callan had a recurring role as Ruth Livingston in the horror comedy series, Widow's Bay.[13][14]

Personal life

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Callan was married for 11 years. She lived in Oklahoma while her husband worked on his doctorate. When the marriage ended, she took her three children Jamie Callan, Kelly Callan and Kristi Callan, and moved to New York.[15]

She has written several books, including The Los Angeles Agent, The Script Is Finished, Now What Do I Do?, Directing Your Directing Career,[3] and How to Sell Yourself as an Actor.

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
1970 Joe Mary Lou Curran As K. Callan
1971 Lady Liberty Subway Lady Uncredited
1972 Hail Mrs. Burd
1973 A Touch of Class Patty Menkes As K. Callan
1979 Fast Break Ms. Tidwell
The Onion Field Mrs. Powell
1980 American Gigolo Lisa Williams
A Change of Seasons Alice Bingham
1982 Fast-Walking Motel Manager
1991 The Unborn Martha Wellington
Frankie and Johnny Frankie's Mother
1995 Safe Mother Uncredited
1998 Border to Border Mrs. Piston
1999 A Fare to Remember Ginny
2002 Devious Beings Lady Jane
2005 Nine Lives Marisa
Crazylove Mrs. Hallstrom
2006 Midnight Clear Eva
2007 Coyote County Loser Maggie Hopps
2010 Why Did I Get Married Too? Ms. Tannenbaum
2012 Not That Funny Toogey Richmonde
2013 Samuel Bleak Elaine
2019 Knives Out Wanetta "Great Nana" Thrombey
2023 Pie in the Sky Mama
2024 Sew Torn Ms. Engel
TBA Bad Day Filming

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1962 Route 66 Western Union Operator Episode: "Aren't You Surprised to See Me?"
1964 The Secret Storm Gloria
1972 Great Performances Evelyn Jackson Episode: "The Rimers of Eldritch"
1976–1977 One Day at a Time Alice Butterfield 4 episodes
1977 Barney Miller Gwen Baxter Episode: "Fire '77"
The Four of Us Marie Unsold pilot
Fish Mrs. Lester 2 episodes
Fernwood 2 Night Alberta Cornwall
James at 16 Mrs. Stevens Episode: "Pilot"
All in the Family Veronica Cartwright Episode: "Cousin Liz"
Rafferty Betty Dane
Forever Fernwood 1st Woman
Rhoda Dr. Sanders Episode: "Who's Why"
1978 Family Sophie Sullivan Episode: "Starting Over"
Kaz Mrs. Rice
A Question of Love Reporter TV movie
1979 Visions Mary Lou
Insight Lorraine
Ike: The War Years Mrs. Westerfield Two-part TV movie
Blind Ambition Mrs. Kleindienst TV miniseries
The Waltons Nurse Corrigan
1979–1980 Joe's World Katie Wabash Regular role
1980 When the Whistle Blows Bulldog's wife
1980–1981 Secrets of Midland Heights Hilda Carroll
1981 This House Possessed Lucille TV movie
Flo Mrs. Carlin
Splendor in the Grass Miss Metcalf TV movie
1982 House Calls
Quincy, M.E. Karen Saundersen
Bosom Buddies Mrs. Wilson
Father Murphy Jane Sanders
Police Squad! Charlotte Burton Episode: "The Butler Did It (A Bird in the Hand)"
Lou Grant Louise Florence
1983 Private Benjamin Harriet Benjamin
Cutter to Houston Connie Buford Regular role
Knots Landing Mrs. Dunne Episode: "The Fatal Blow"
Newhart Janet Ebersol Episode: "The Visitors"
1984 AfterMASH Mrs. Bergstrom
Flight 90: Disaster on the Potomac Barbara Hamilton TV movie
E/R Gail Parker
1985 Remington Steele Martha Ryan
Sara Claire McKenna
Hollywood Wives Catherine TV miniseries
St. Elsewhere Patty Galecki 2 episodes
1985–1989 Hunter Mrs. Jorgensen / Linda Ryan 2 episodes
1986 Moonlighting Carolyn Kandinsky Episode: "In God We Strongly Suspect"
You Again? Kathryn
It's a Living Dot's Mom Episode: "Oddest Couple"
1987 Highway to Heaven Mrs. Lowell Episode: "Normal People"
Night Court Mrs. Jane Fletzker
Mr. President Janet Braden
The Hope Division Caroline Braden TV movie
CBS Summer Playhouse Jean
Duet Rose Kelly
The Magical World of Disney Betty's Mom
Rags to Riches Louis McMillan
1989 Live-In Roslyn
Quantum Leap Lenore Mackenzie Episode: "The Americanization of Machiko – August 4, 1953"
Incident at Dark River Constance Black TV movie
1989–1991 Coach Marion Williamson
1990 Dallas Amy Stevens 4 episodes
1991 Flight of Black Angel Mrs. Gordon TV movie
1992 Nurses Lila
1993–1997 Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Martha Kent Regular role
1993 FBI: The Untold Stories Jorene
L.A. Law Florence Hackett
1994 Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Alsia Episode: "Rivals"
Birdland Laurel
1995 Saved by the Light Marion TV movie
1997 NYPD Blue Mrs. Hastings
Chicago Hope Emily Beck
1998 7th Heaven Grandma James
Mr. Murder Alice Stillwater TV miniseries
1999 Dawson's Creek Miss Constance Freckling
2000 Family Law Myra Hollenbeck
Diagnosis: Murder Jake's Landlady Episode: "Death by Design"
2000–2003 King of the Hill Tilly Hill (voice) 3 episodes
2001 The Fugitive Evelyn Butler
Kate Brasher Mrs. Warmus
2001–2004 The Division Mary Johnson / Halle McAdams 3 episodes
2002 Crossing Jordan Penelope Zimmerman
Body & Soul Cora Kilabrough
2003 JAG Esther Gale
2003–2005 Carnivàle Eleanor McGill Recurring role, 8 episodes
2004 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Martha Abernathy
Dragnet Lee's Adoptive Mother
2005 Without a Trace Luanne Countryman
Nip/Tuck Ellie Harkness
2006 Four Kings Mrs. Grayson
Heist Helen
Cold Case Helen Russell Episode: "The Hen House"
The Closer Julia Rose
2007 Desperate Housewives Ilene Britt Episode: "Getting Married Today"
'Til Death Mrs. Bauer
Drive Ceal Cousins
2007–2012 How I Met Your Mother Grandma Lois 3 episodes
2008 ER Kelly Robinson
2009 Castle Mrs. Delores Marsh
Mental Alexis Vilcek
2009–2010 Meet the Browns Miss Daisy/Daisy LaRue 20 episodes
2010 Heroes Charlie Andrews
The Mentalist Annabelle Draber
Law & Order: LA Louise Hammond
2011 Good Luck Charlie Mrs. Monroe
2011, 2020 NCIS Various roles 2 episodes
2013 Emily Owens, M.D. Lorraine Parks
Getting On Susan Dayward 3 episodes
2015 Justified Loretta's Grandaunt
Code Black Ruth
2016 Veep Judy Sherman Recurring role
2017 Grey's Anatomy Janis Episode: "In the Air Tonight"
2021 Brooklyn Nine-Nine Carol Episode: "Renewal"
2023 Poker Face Betty Episode: "Time of the Monkey"
2024 The Chosen Elizabeth Episode: "Promises"
2026 Widow's Bay Ruth Livingston Recurring role

Bibliography

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  • Callan, K (1987). The New York Agent Book. Sweden Press. ISBN 978-0-961733-61-2.
  • The Los Angeles Agent Book. Sweden Press. 1992. ISBN 978-0-961733-68-1.
  • How to Sell Yourself As an Actor: From New York to Los Angeles and Everywhere in Between. Sweden Press. 1992. ISBN 978-0-961733-67-4.
  • Script Is Finished, Now What Do I Do?. Sweden Press. 1993. ISBN 978-1-878355-00-3.
  • Callan, K (1993). The Life of the Party. Sweden Press. ISBN 1-878355-23-6.
  • Callan, K (1994). Directing your directing career. Sweden Press. ISBN 978-1-878355-11-9.
  • The Life of the Party 2. 1997. ISBN 978-1-878355-06-5.

References

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  1. 1 2 "UPI Almanac for Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025". UPI. 2025-01-09. actor K Callan wanted to act
  2. ↑ "'Super' Mom Role Is a Natural for 'Lois & Clark' Player Callan". Orlando Sentinel. January 9, 1996. Retrieved July 13, 2026.
  3. 1 2 Mendoza, N. F. (December 29, 1995). "Superman's Mom: It's a Natural". The Herald-News. New Jersey, Passaic. Los Angeles Times. p. 22. Retrieved October 16, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ↑ "HB Studio - History | One of the Original Acting Studios in NYC".
  5. ↑ "K Callan". TVGuide.com.
  6. ↑ Thompson, Howard (November 4, 1972). "TV: All About Elections" – via NYTimes.com.
  7. ↑ Fallon, Beth (March 28, 1972). "The girl next door cleans up on commercials". Daily News. New York, New York City. p. 28. Retrieved October 16, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ↑ Brooks, Tim; Marsh, Earl (2003). The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows, 1946–Present (8th ed.). New York: Ballantine Books. pp. 613–614. ISBN 0-345-45542-8.
  9. ↑ Moran, Sarah (December 1, 2019). "Great Nana Is Knives Out's Surprise Standout Character". ScreenRant.
  10. ↑ "PIE IN THE SKY | New Play Exchange". newplayexchange.org.
  11. ↑ "Pie in the Sky | Rotten Tomatoes". www.rottentomatoes.com.
  12. ↑ "K Callan". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. Retrieved May 5, 2018.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  13. ↑ "At 90, K Callan is loving her moment in the limelight with 'Widow's Bay': 'I've been really lucky'". Los Angeles Times. July 9, 2026.
  14. ↑ Nemetz, Dave (June 20, 2026). "TVLine's Performer Of The Week: K Callan". TVLine.
  15. ↑ Mendoza, N. F (24 December 1995). "WITH AN EYE ON . . . : Her role as Superman's mom comes naturally to lifetime nurturer K Callan". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
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