Kate Mulgrew

Kate: I come from a very large family. There were eight of us, and Mom and Dad. It was a very extraordinary life because it was not by any means normal, and very seldom healthy, if you can understand that. It was extremely Irish Catholic- raucous, loud, vital, devious. Irish Catholics are very devious, you'd better believe that right now. I'm giving you a clue into our true nature. Because of the religion which is overwhelming in our lives, and though I've abandoned that aspect, it still is, what shall I say. . . it's haunting. I was raised in a very spiritual manner. I was taught to believe in the soul and the heart; and the mind and the body were very secondary, if not unimportant.

Kate: (at age 23 and talking about family) I am ambitious. I'm the oldest daughter and my mother says the children all have a new game now. They sit around the table every Sunday morning discussing what they're going to do with my money. They come to my apartment in New York...every time I turn around someone is there.

Kate: (in the late 1970's at age 23) The kind of girl who gets overwhelmed by this sort of thing is somebody who wants instant stardom. I want to be a good actress. If I do it through Mrs. Columbo, great. If I do it through making a few dollars a week on the stage, great. I was very clear-headed when I got this offer. I was thrilled, but never for one moment did I shriek for joy about it.