Kathryn Joosten

Kathryn Joosen is an Emmy Award winning American actress who appears as Karen McCluskey on the ABC hit show Desperate Housewives.

In September 2009, it was reported that Joosten had been diagnosed with lung cancer. Joosten, who survived a previous bout with lung cancer in 2001, says "we're going to handle it and move forward. I'm doing great."http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20304338,00.html

On October 5, 2009, Joosten underwent lung surgery to remove a cancerous tumor. According to reports, Joosten's doctors think the surgery was a "complete success."http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20310339,00.html?xid=rss-topheadlines

Joosten's first career was a psychiatric nurse. She married a psychiatrist and after the birth of her two sons, stayed at home and became a stay-at-home mom. When she divorced in 1980 she got involved in community theater. In 1995 Joosten packed up her truck and moved to Hollywood. She landed her first role in comedy Family Matters. Since then she has appeared in over twenty-five television programs. She also has plays, commercials and movies under her belt.

• Desperate Housewives as Karen McCluskey
• Dharma and Greg as Claire
• General Hospital as Ida Warren
• Joan of Arcadia as Old Lady God
• The West Wing as Delores Landingham

• 2005: Cheaper By the Dozen 2
• 2005: Hostage
• 2004: Breaking Dawn
• 2004: Combustion'
• 1998: Phoenix
• 1997: Best Men
• 1989: The Package