Katherine Moennig #1

KATHERINE


Name: Katherine Sian Moennig

Name pronunciation: "Meh-nig," according to Katherine herself on a radio interview (Loveline).

Birth date: December 29, 1976

Sign: Capricorn

Birthplace: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Residence: Los Angeles

Height: 5'8''

Eye color: green

Hair color: dark brown

Hair style: Always funky, always fresh. Was short for “Young Americans.” Was stringy and greasy and messy and tousled for season one of “The L Word.” Kate currently rocks a faux mohawk, with longer locks of hair falling in front.

Occupation: model, actress

Current acting gig: Shane on “The L word”

Acting start: did children's theater in Philadelphia with a friend; first stage appearance was in a Children's theatre production of “Winnie the Pooh” at age 10.

Other career paths: at 9 years old, wanted to be a doorman; then wanted to be an FBI agent, then a marine biologist. Realistically, “I'd probably be graduating from some state school I hated and not really know what I was going to do.”

Work ethic: “I don't have a very good work ethic when I couldn't care less about what I'm doing.” The longest she's held a “regular job” is ten days.

Marital status: single

Sexual orientation: straight, gay, bi—only Kate really knows. Has said in past interviews that she's not gay. But people find this topic up for debate, and speculate both ways.

Family: mom was a Broadway dancer; father was violin maker William Moennig; aunt is Blythe Danner, and cousin is Gwyneth Paltrow (and second cousin is Apple Martin).

Education: St. Mary's Interparochial School in Philadelphia; didn't attend university; studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York.

Tattoo: an outline of a violin on her lower back; also has the letter "K" on the inside of her left wrist (thanks to Aphrodite K for this info).

Personality: she says she's “just as laid back as Shane.”

Childhood: was a tomboy; spent free time climbing trees and skateboarding with her friends in Philadelphia's Rittenhouse Square neighborhood. All her friends were guys.

Spare time: she likes to “find different ways to be creative”; has an amazing group of friends who she spends “an obscene amount of time with” and who she “loves to pieces.”

What makes her happy: Friends, love, food, life, and music.

Hairdressing skills: she has very little.

Favorite actresses: Patricia Clarkson, Lili Taylor, Martha Plimpton, Frances McDormand

Actors she admires most: Sean Penn and Faye Dunaway

Best advice she's gotten: “Stay true to yourself, and the worst anyone can say is 'no,' so don't give up.”

Idea of a romantic date: “Being comfortable. And laughing. And being honest.”

Choice of acting roles: she has a proclivity to play gender-bending, sexually ambiguous parts. She says she likes roles that “are not normal, everyday lives.” “I don't enjoy romantic comedies—they're not for me.”

Feelings on being a lesbian icon: “That wouldn't be a terrible thing,” she says. “That's why I want to do this, to have people respond to it, to be affected by it. That makes me feel like I've done my job.”

Pets: a Jack Russell-Chihuahua mix named Floyd

Favorite fashion designer: likes a lot of “little unknowns”; but loves Henry Duarte and Christine Ganeaux.

Music: likes MC Solaar (French rapper) and the “Gone in 60 Seconds” soundtrack (a mix of rap and techno); and the bands Phoenix and Luna. (Thanks to Kathie for this info.)

Can't live without: friends and family

Dream vacation: complete relaxation

Favorite book: she really liked Alex Garland's The Beach. “It was brilliant.”

Would like to guest star on: “The Sopranos”

Dream role: playing Patti Smith

Her advice for aspiring actresses: “Know your craft and never take no for an answer from anybody.”