Kirsten Nelson (born October 3, 1970) is an American actress and director best known for her role as police chief Karen Vick on the TV series Psych.
Kirsten Nelson | |
|---|---|
 Nelson at the 2013 San Diego Comic-Con | |
| Born | Kirsten Nelson October 3, 1970 Enid, Oklahoma, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Northwestern University |
| Occupation(s) | Actress, director |
| Years active | 1993–present |
| Spouse | (m. 1995) |
| Children | 2 |
Early life and education
editKirsten Nelson was born in Enid, Oklahoma and raised in Chicago. Nelson grew up playing the piano and singing, and has said "I wanted to be a concert pianist at Carnegie Hall, that is what I wanted to do from really early on."[1] Nelson graduated from Northwestern University.[2]
Career
editNelson was a founding member of Chicago's Roadworks Theatre Ensemble before moving to Los Angeles in 1995.[3][1][4]
She is known for her starring role as Police Chief Karen Vick on Psych.[5]
Nelson's career includes roles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer (as Lorraine),[6] The O'Keefes (as Ellie O'Keefe),[7] Baby's Day Out,[8] The Fugitive,[9] Frasier,[10] Ally McBeal,[10] The West Wing,[11] Just Shoot Me![10] and Boy Meets World.[10] She played Danielle Bishop in four episodes of 2018's K.C. Undercover.[12]
Personal life
editNelson is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. She married in 1995 and has two children.[13][4][14]
Filmography
editFilm
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | The Fugitive | Betty | |
| 1994 | Baby's Day Out | Woman in Park | |
| 1997 | Three Women of Pain | Lani | Short |
| 2004 | Larceny | Della | |
| 2005 | War of the Worlds | Businesswoman | |
| 2017 | Limelight | Liz Chance |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | The Untouchables | Daisy | Episode: "The Last Gauntlet" |
| 1996 | Ned and Stacey | Wife | Episode: "The Other End" |
| 1997 | Chicago Sons | Lisa | Episode: "Love in the Time of Cicadas" |
| 1997 | Temporarily Yours | Chrystle | Episode: "Independence Day" |
| 1997 | The Practice | Judy Burke | Episode: "The Civil Right" |
| 1999 | The Pretender | ATF Agent Beth Swik | Episode: "Flesh & Blood" |
| 1999 | Boy Meets World | Jessica | Episode: "Cutting the Cord" |
| 1999 | Thanks | Polly Winthrop | Main role |
| 2000 | Pensacola: Wings of Gold | Sgt. Carol Davis / Davidson | Episode: "Answered Prayers" |
| 2001 | Just Shoot Me! | Helen | Episode: "Sid & Nina" |
| 2001 | The West Wing | Dolores Landingham (young) | Episode: "Two Cathedrals" |
| 2002 | Buffy the Vampire Slayer | Lorraine Ross | Episodes: "Doublemeat Palace", "Normal Again" |
| 2002 | Providence | Kim | Episode: "Limbo" |
| 2002 | Ally McBeal | Connie Dekumbis | Episode: "Tom Dooley" |
| 2003, 2005 | Everwood | Ellie Beals | Episodes: "Three Miners from Everwood", "Where the Heart Is" |
| 2003 | The O'Keefes | Ellie O'Keefe | Main role |
| 2004 | Frasier | Ellie | Episode: "Match Game" |
| 2004 | Stuck in the Suburbs | Susan Aarons | TV film |
| 2005 | Without a Trace | Ms. MacPherson | Episode: "Party Girl" |
| 2005 | Malcolm in the Middle | Jeanie | Episode: "Mrs. Tri-County" |
| 2005 | Mrs. Harris | TV Interviewer | TV film |
| 2006 | The Ant Bully | Hova / Generic Ant (voice) | Video game |
| 2006–2014 | Psych | Karen Vick | Main role |
| 2008 | Eli Stone | Dana Asbury | Episode: "Heartbeat" |
| 2010 | Ghost Whisperer | Sarah Davidson | Episode: "Lethal Combination" |
| 2012 | Parenthood | Mrs. Ellis | Episode: "It Is What It Is" |
| 2012 | NCIS | Beth Banks | Episode: "Psych Out" |
| 2012 | Warehouse 13 | Judy Giltoy | Episode: "No Pain No Gain" |
| 2014 | Saint George | Ms. Sloan | Episode: "School's Out" |
| 2015 | Bones | Nina Slocum | Episode: "The Donor in the Drink" |
| 2015 | NCIS: New Orleans | Vivienne Lambert | Episode: "Confluence" |
| 2017 | Psych: The Movie | Karen Vick | TV film |
| 2017 | Versus | Paige | TV series |
| 2018 | K.C. Undercover | Danielle Bishop | Episodes: "The Domino Effect", "Domino: Parts 2–4" |
| 2019 | This Is Us | Dr. Green | 2 episodes |
| 2019 | Bluff City Law | Emma Sutton | Episode: "You Don't Need a Weatherman" |
| 2020 | Psych 2: Lassie Come Home | Karen Vick | TV film |
| 2021 | Psych 3: This Is Gus | Karen Vick | TV film |
References
edit- ^ a b Crowder, Courtney (December 12, 2013). "'Psych' actress hits a high note with musical episode". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on December 13, 2013. Retrieved August 10, 2018.
- ^ Rockett, Darcel (December 17, 2018) [November 30, 2017]. "NU alumna Kirsten Nelson reprises her chief role in 'Psych: The Movie'". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on February 18, 2024. Retrieved August 10, 2018.
- ^ "Kristen Nelson alias Karen Vick on Psych". USA Network. May 23, 2013. Archived from the original on July 23, 2013.
- ^ a b "Actress Kristen Nelson | Interview". Teen Ink. February 27, 2012. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
- ^ Nordyke, Kimberly (September 17, 2007). "Mind games continue with more 'Psych'". The Hollywood Reporter. Associated Press.
- ^ Golden, Christopher (October 3, 2017). Buffy the Vampire Slayer 20 Years of Slaying: The Watcher's Guide Authorized. Simon and Schuster. ISBN 9781534404168.
- ^ "Kirsten Nelson joins Alexander comedy". Chicago Tribune. December 23, 2003. Archived from the original on December 5, 2022. Retrieved August 10, 2018.
- ^ "Baby's Day Out | TV Guide". TVGuide.com. Retrieved August 10, 2018.
- ^ Willis, John; Monush, Barry (February 1, 2000). Screen World 1994. Hal Leonard Corporation. ISBN 9781557832023.
- ^ a b c d "Kirsten Nelson | TV Guide". TVGuide.com. Retrieved August 10, 2018.
- ^ Challen, Paul (2001). Inside the West Wing: An Unauthorized Look at Television's Smartest Show. ECW Press. ISBN 9781550224689.
- ^ Macke, Johnni (August 4, 2022). "'Psych' Cast: Where Are They Now?". Us Weekly. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
- ^ Favre, Jeff (January 2008). "Psyched about her work: Actor enjoys 'chief' role in comedy". The Lutheran. Archived from the original on September 27, 2013. Retrieved September 22, 2013.
- ^ "Kirsten Nelson Bio, Family Life, Husband, Achievements and Awards". Celebily. March 2, 2023. Retrieved March 31, 2024.