Last updated on: January 25, 2025

Kate Lardner is best known as the ex-wife of the famous actor Tommy Lee Jones. She has had an interesting life and career, working in both acting and writing. Though she is not as well-known as her ex-husband, she has made her own mark in the world of literature and film. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at Kate’s life, family, career, and personal journey.

Quick Facts About Kate Lardner

Full Name	Kate Lardner
Birthdate	January 14, 1943
Occupation	Actress, Writer
Husband/Wife	Married to Tommy Lee Jones (divorced in 1978)
Education	Attended college,
Age Height	82 years old 1.6 m
Parents	Father: David Lardner (writer), Mother: Frances Chaney (actress)
Siblings	James Lardner
Children	Two children with Tommy Lee Jones
Net Worth	$1 million

Early Life and Family

Kate Lardner was born on January 14, 1943, in New York City. She grew up in a family with a strong background in writing and acting. Her father, David Lardner, was a writer for the now venerable magazine The New Yorker, at the time considered perhaps the most respected in the country. Her mother, Frances Chaney, was also an actress who acted in the theatre and film.

Kate’s grandfather was a very famous author as well. Ring Lardner was her grandfather who was a famous sportswriter as well as a short story writer. He greatly impacted American literature in the early 20th century. Growing up this way, surrounded by storytelling, whether in writing or performance, Kate was surrounded by that

Marriage to Tommy Lee Jones

Kate Lardner married actor Tommy Lee Jones on December 31, 1971. Tommy Lee Jones is known for his roles in movies like No Country for Old Men and The Fugitive. During their marriage, they had two children together. However, their marriage ended in divorce in 1978, just a few years after they tied the knot.

Even though they did not succeed in their marriage, Kate and Tommy Lee Jones have continued being part of each other’s life in one way or the other. Immediately after the divorce, Tommy was still pursuing a successful acting career, while Kate kept low.

Career in Acting by Kate

Kate Lardner has worked as an actress and a background actor. She has been in several television series and movies. One of her earliest notable acting roles was on the TV series Quincy, M.E. in 1976, where she played Cindy Oliver. This show was popular during that time and brought her into the world of television.

Kate was also a supporting artist in the movie Making Mr. Right (1987). She was an apprentice sound editor, which means she was more interested in the technical side of film production. In The Crutch (2005), she also added to her list of acting credits. Though Kate did not attain the same fame as Tommy did in acting, she had her share of contribution to the industry.

Writing and Her Memoir

Apart from acting, Kate Lardner is a great writer as well. She wrote a memoir in 2004, called Shut Up He Explained: The Memoir of a Blacklisted Kid. Through the book, one gets an idea of what Kate’s childhood was like and the experiences that Kate’s family faced during the time of the Hollywood blacklist.

During the McCarthy era in the 1950s, many people in the entertainment industry were bounded with accusations of having been Communists. Kate’s family was no exception; her father and grandfather fell into this category. This situation had a significant influence on Kate’s life. Her memoir tells how growing up in a blacklisted family influenced her and the family’s relationship dynamic. The book is a personal account and a historical reflection of that hard time for American history.

READ ALSO: Tommy Lee Jones Net worth, Age, Wife, Family, Facts & More

Life After the Divorce

Kate Lardner stayed mostly out of the limelight after her divorce from Tommy Lee Jones. While her ex-husband continued his acting career and became one of Hollywood’s most respected actors, Kate lived a quieter life. She has not been as public in recent years, and there is limited information about her personal life after the divorce.

However, her input in literature and cinema, combined with her association with the famous family, make her a rather interesting figure. Kate’s family background and what she does to pen down and act out mean far more than just being the ex-wife of Tommy Lee Jones.

 

Source: celebs.infoseemedia.com