Kimberly McCullough
Encyclopedia
Kimberly Anne McCullough (born March 5, 1978) is an American actress, dancer, and director. She is best known for her longtime role as Robin Scorpio
on the soap opera
General Hospital
, a role which she originated at the age of 7, playing the character from 1985-1996. She has continued to play the character off and on since then, with stints from 1997–1998, in 2000, 2004, and then she started to play a doctor in the show on October 12, 2005, a role which she has continued to play through to the present. She has also played the character in one episode of the GH spin-off
Port Charles
, and in a few episodes of All My Children
. In Summer 2007, again as Robin, she played one of the leads in the primetime GH spin-off, General Hospital: Night Shift
.
. She has two older brothers. Her mother is a dance teacher, who took her to rehearsals, and got her involved with acting. McCullough's first appearance was as a 7-month-old baby in a diaper
commercial, co-starring with actress Juliet Mills. She started doing gymnastics
at the age of 4, and performed as part of a group called the "Gym Dandies." At the age of 6, she auditioned for choreographer Debbie Allen
. Allen was eventually won over and cast McCullough in the television series Fame
. McCullough followed this up with a dancing part in Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo
.
, McCullough auditioned for the role of Robin Scorpio
, the 6-year old daughter of the popular soap couple Robert Scorpio
(Tristan Rogers
) and Anna Devane
(Finola Hughes
). The producers made her audition 12 times but eventually gave her the part and her role became a popular success. In 1989 at the age of 11, McCullough won her first Daytime Emmy Award
, for "Outstanding Juvenile Female in a Drama Series". One of her most memorable storylines began in 1995, when her teenage character contracted HIV
after having unprotected sex with her boyfriend Stone, who was unknowingly infected with the virus and later died of AIDS
. She won a second Daytime Emmy in 1996 for this storyline, once again for "Outstanding Younger Leading Actress in a Drama Series".
She took a break from playing the character in 1996 when she went off to college, to study film directing at New York University
. In General Hospital, Robin Scorpio was also written out for the same reason, except the character was attending Yale University
to study medicine. McCullough continued playing the character during her university breaks.
In 1998, after having briefly returned to the show, she left once again to pursue other acting opportunities, which included co-starring in the primetime drama series Once and Again
and Joan of Arcadia
. She also wrote and directed the mockumentary
Lil Star about girls in childhood beauty pageants
, a story which allowed McCullough to draw on her own experiences. After brief returns to General Hospital in 2000 and 2004, she finally returned to General Hospital on a permanent basis in October 2005, with her character Robin Scorpio now a doctor, having graduated from medical school.
In other work, McCullough has danced in other television appearances such as Solid Gold
and The People's Choice Awards
. She sang backup for the 1989 song "Toy Soldiers
" by Martika
, and has also had recurring guest-star roles on The Shield
. She was also the star of the TV movie Dying to Dance, in which she played opposite Rick Springfield
, and Dominic Zamprogna
, other General Hospital actors.
McCullough has also directed a few films. Her latest project is a film entitled Nice Guys Finish Last. The film is currently in post-production and stars Danielle Harris
and McCullough's General Hospital co-star Lexi Ainsworth
.
Robin Scorpio
Dr. Robin Scorpio-Drake is a fictional character from the ABC soap opera General Hospital and its prime time SOAPnet spin-off General Hospital: Night Shift, originated and portrayed by Kimberly McCullough since 1985. The character came to mainstream attention when she was diagnosed as HIV-positive...
on the soap opera
Soap opera
A soap opera, sometimes called "soap" for short, is an ongoing, episodic work of dramatic fiction presented in serial format on radio or as television programming. The name soap opera stems from the original dramatic serials broadcast on radio that had soap manufacturers, such as Procter & Gamble,...
General Hospital
General Hospital
General Hospital is an American daytime television drama that is credited by the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest-running American soap opera currently in production and the third longest running drama in television in American history after Guiding Light and As the World Turns....
, a role which she originated at the age of 7, playing the character from 1985-1996. She has continued to play the character off and on since then, with stints from 1997–1998, in 2000, 2004, and then she started to play a doctor in the show on October 12, 2005, a role which she has continued to play through to the present. She has also played the character in one episode of the GH spin-off
Spin-off (media)
In media, a spin-off is a radio program, television program, video game, or any narrative work, derived from one or more already existing works, that focuses, in particular, in more detail on one aspect of that original work...
Port Charles
Port Charles
Port Charles was a daytime soap opera which aired on ABC from June 2, 1997 to October 3, 2003. It is a spin-off of the serial General Hospital, which has been running since 1963 and takes place in the fictional city of Port Charles, New York...
, and in a few episodes of All My Children
All My Children
All My Children is an American television soap opera that aired on ABC from January 5, 1970 to September 23, 2011. Created by Agnes Nixon, All My Children is set in Pine Valley, Pennsylvania, a fictitious suburb of Philadelphia. The show features Susan Lucci as Erica Kane, one of daytime's most...
. In Summer 2007, again as Robin, she played one of the leads in the primetime GH spin-off, General Hospital: Night Shift
General Hospital: Night Shift
General Hospital: Night Shift is an American prime time serial that first aired on SOAPnet for a 13-episode run from July 12, 2007 to October 4, 2007. A spin-off of the ABC Daytime soap opera General Hospital, the show is SOAPnet's first original scripted drama series and follows the nighttime...
.
Personal life
McCullough was born in Bellflower, CaliforniaBellflower, California
Bellflower is a city in Los Angeles County, California, and is a suburb of Los Angeles. It was incorporated on September 3, 1957. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 76,616, up from 72,878 at the 2000 census....
. She has two older brothers. Her mother is a dance teacher, who took her to rehearsals, and got her involved with acting. McCullough's first appearance was as a 7-month-old baby in a diaper
Diaper
A nappy or a diaper is a kind of pant that allows one to defecate or urinate on oneself discreetly. When diapers become soiled, they require changing; this process is often performed by a second person such as a parent or caregiver...
commercial, co-starring with actress Juliet Mills. She started doing gymnastics
Gymnastics
Gymnastics is a sport involving performance of exercises requiring physical strength, flexibility, agility, coordination, and balance. Internationally, all of the gymnastic sports are governed by the Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique with each country having its own national governing body...
at the age of 4, and performed as part of a group called the "Gym Dandies." At the age of 6, she auditioned for choreographer Debbie Allen
Debbie Allen
Deborrah Kaye “Debbie” Allen is an American actress, dancer, choreographer, television director, television producer, and a member of the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities...
. Allen was eventually won over and cast McCullough in the television series Fame
Fame (1982 TV series)
Fame is an American television series originally produced between 1982 and 1987. The show was based on the 1980 motion picture of the same name. Using a mixture of drama and music, it followed the lives of the students and faculty at the New York City High School for the Performing Arts. Although...
. McCullough followed this up with a dancing part in Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo
Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo
Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo is the 1984 sequel to the breakdancing film Breakin. It was first released in the same year as its predecessor by TriStar Pictures, and by Cannon Films the year after...
.
Career
In 1985, after failing to land a role on the TV sitcom WebsterWebster (TV series)
Webster is an American situation comedy that premiered on ABC on September 16, 1983, and ran on that network until September 11, 1987, but continued in first-run syndication until 1989...
, McCullough auditioned for the role of Robin Scorpio
Robin Scorpio
Dr. Robin Scorpio-Drake is a fictional character from the ABC soap opera General Hospital and its prime time SOAPnet spin-off General Hospital: Night Shift, originated and portrayed by Kimberly McCullough since 1985. The character came to mainstream attention when she was diagnosed as HIV-positive...
, the 6-year old daughter of the popular soap couple Robert Scorpio
Robert Scorpio
Robert Xavier Scorpio is a fictional character on the ABC soap opera General Hospital, played by actor Tristan Rogers. Robert's birthday is September 15.-Appearances:Tristan Rogers originally played the role from December 1980 through February 25, 1992...
(Tristan Rogers
Tristan Rogers
Tristan Rogers is an Australian–American actor. He is best known for playing Robert Scorpio on the ABC soap opera General Hospital...
) and Anna Devane
Anna Devane
Anna Devane is a fictional character on the ABC soap operas General Hospital and All My Children...
(Finola Hughes
Finola Hughes
Finola Hughes is an English actress, television host, author and former dancer, best known for role as Anna Devane on the General Hospital, All My Children and General Hospital: Night Shift , and her role as Anna Devane's identical twin sister, Doctor Alexandra Devane Marick, on All My Children...
). The producers made her audition 12 times but eventually gave her the part and her role became a popular success. In 1989 at the age of 11, McCullough won her first Daytime Emmy Award
Daytime Emmy Award
The Daytime Emmy Awards are awards presented by the New York-based National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and the Los Angeles-based Academy of Television Arts & Sciences in recognition of excellence in American daytime television programming...
, for "Outstanding Juvenile Female in a Drama Series". One of her most memorable storylines began in 1995, when her teenage character contracted HIV
HIV
Human immunodeficiency virus is a lentivirus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome , a condition in humans in which progressive failure of the immune system allows life-threatening opportunistic infections and cancers to thrive...
after having unprotected sex with her boyfriend Stone, who was unknowingly infected with the virus and later died of AIDS
AIDS
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...
. She won a second Daytime Emmy in 1996 for this storyline, once again for "Outstanding Younger Leading Actress in a Drama Series".
She took a break from playing the character in 1996 when she went off to college, to study film directing at New York University
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
. In General Hospital, Robin Scorpio was also written out for the same reason, except the character was attending Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
to study medicine. McCullough continued playing the character during her university breaks.
In 1998, after having briefly returned to the show, she left once again to pursue other acting opportunities, which included co-starring in the primetime drama series Once and Again
Once and Again
Once and Again is an American television series that aired on ABC from September 21, 1999 to April 15, 2002. It depicts the family of a single mother and her romance with a single father...
and Joan of Arcadia
Joan of Arcadia
Joan of Arcadia is an American television fantasy/family drama telling the story of teenager Joan Girardi , who sees and speaks with God and performs tasks she is given. The series originally aired on Fridays, 8-9 p.m...
. She also wrote and directed the mockumentary
Mockumentary
A mockumentary , is a type of film or television show in which fictitious events are presented in documentary format. These productions are often used to analyze or comment on current events and issues by using a fictitious setting, or to parody the documentary form itself...
Lil Star about girls in childhood beauty pageants
Beauty contest
A beauty pageant or beauty contest, is a competition that mainly focuses on the physical beauty of its contestants, although such contests often incorporate personality, talent, and answers to judges' questions as judged criteria...
, a story which allowed McCullough to draw on her own experiences. After brief returns to General Hospital in 2000 and 2004, she finally returned to General Hospital on a permanent basis in October 2005, with her character Robin Scorpio now a doctor, having graduated from medical school.
In other work, McCullough has danced in other television appearances such as Solid Gold
Solid Gold (TV series)
Solid Gold is an American syndicated music television series that debuted on September 13, 1980. Like many other shows of its genre, such as American Bandstand, Solid Gold featured musical performances and various other elements such as music videos...
and The People's Choice Awards
People's Choice Awards
The People's Choice Awards is an American awards show recognizing the people and the work of popular culture. The show has been held annually since 1975 and is voted on by the general public. The People's Choice Awards air on CBS and are produced by Procter & Gamble and Survivor magnate Mark Burnett...
. She sang backup for the 1989 song "Toy Soldiers
Toy Soldiers (song)
"Toy Soldiers" is a song by Martika appearing on her eponymous debut album in 1989 as a ballad. The single was a number-one hit in the United States. It was sampled by Eminem in his 2004 single, "Like Toy Soldiers"...
" by Martika
Martika
Martika is an American pop singer-songwriter and actress. As a singer she released two internationally successful albums in the late 1980s and early 1990s, selling over four million copies worldwide.-Early life and career:Martika entered mainstream show business in an uncredited role as one of the...
, and has also had recurring guest-star roles on The Shield
The Shield
The Shield is an American television drama series starring Michael Chiklis which premiered on March 12, 2002 on FX in the United States and concluded on November 25, 2008 after seven seasons...
. She was also the star of the TV movie Dying to Dance, in which she played opposite Rick Springfield
Rick Springfield
Rick Springfield is an Australian-born singer-songwriter, musician, and actor. He was a member of pop rock group Zoot from 1969 to 1971 and then started his solo career with his début single "Speak to the Sky" reaching the top 10 in Australia. In mid-1972, he relocated to the United States...
, and Dominic Zamprogna
Dominic Zamprogna
Dominic Zamprogna is a Canadian actor. He is perhaps best known for his roles on television series Edgemont and General Hospital.-Early life:...
, other General Hospital actors.
McCullough has also directed a few films. Her latest project is a film entitled Nice Guys Finish Last. The film is currently in post-production and stars Danielle Harris
Danielle Harris
Danielle Andrea Harris is an American film and television actress, best known as a scream queen for her roles in several horror films, four of them in the Halloween series: in Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers and Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers as Jamie Lloyd and in Halloween and...
and McCullough's General Hospital co-star Lexi Ainsworth
Lexi Ainsworth
Alexandra Danielle "Lexi" Ainsworth is an American teen actress. She is known for her role as Kristina Davis on General Hospital.-Personal life and career:Ainsworth was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma...
.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo is the 1984 sequel to the breakdancing film Breakin. It was first released in the same year as its predecessor by TriStar Pictures, and by Cannon Films the year after... |
Kimberly / Dancer | |
| 1987 | Beauty and the Beast Beauty and the Beast (TV series) Beauty and the Beast is an American drama series which first aired on CBS in 1987. Creator Ron Koslow's updated version of the fairy tale has a double focus: the relationship between Vincent , a mythic, noble man-beast, and his Catherine , a savvy assistant District attorney in New York; and a... |
Abbey | Episode: "Masques" |
| 1988 | Purple People Eater Purple People Eater (film) Purple People Eater is a 1988 American children's film that was produced in 1988 and released theatrically in December 1988, playing for years on the Disney Channel. The film stars Neil Patrick Harris, Ned Beatty, Shelley Winters, and Thora Birch... |
Dorra Orfus | |
| 1991 | Bugsy Bugsy Bugsy is a 1991 American crime-drama film which tells the story of mobster Bugsy Siegel. It stars Warren Beatty, Annette Bening, Harvey Keitel, Ben Kingsley, Elliott Gould, Joe Mantegna, Bebe Neuwirth, and Bill Graham.... |
Barbara Siegel | |
| 1992 | Consenting Adults | Lori Parker | |
1985-1991, 1992-1997, 1998-2000, 2001, 2004, 2005-2012 |
General Hospital General Hospital General Hospital is an American daytime television drama that is credited by the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest-running American soap opera currently in production and the third longest running drama in television in American history after Guiding Light and As the World Turns.... |
Robin Scorpio-Drake | TV series |
| 1996 | CBS Schoolbreak Special CBS Schoolbreak Special CBS Schoolbreak Special is an American anthology series for teenagers that aired on CBS from April 1980 to January 1996. The series originally premiered under the title CBS Afternoon Playhouse, and was later changed during the 1984 - 85 season... |
April Morgan | Episode: "Crosstown" |
| 1997 | Nothing Sacred Nothing Sacred (TV series) Nothing Sacred is an American drama series that aired from 1997 to 1998 on ABC. The series was created by a Jesuit priest named Bill Cain and producer David Manson.-Synopsis:... |
Flavia | Episode: "Speaking in Tongues" |
| 1998 | Port Charles Port Charles Port Charles was a daytime soap opera which aired on ABC from June 2, 1997 to October 3, 2003. It is a spin-off of the serial General Hospital, which has been running since 1963 and takes place in the fictional city of Port Charles, New York... |
Robin Scorpio | 1 episode |
| 1999 | Sons of Thunder Sons of Thunder Sons of Thunder is a television show that ran from March to April 1999 on CBS. It was a spin-off of Walker, Texas Ranger.-Pilot:The two-hour pilot, Sons of Thunder, was shown as episode 4.24 of Walker... |
Jennifer Hobson | Episode: "Underground" |
| 1999 | Undressed Undressed Undressed is an American anthology series that aired on MTV from July 26, 1999 to September 5, 2002. The series was created and executive produced by British director Roland Joffé.-Synopsis:... |
Episode: "Pilot" | |
| 1999-2000 | Once and Again Once and Again Once and Again is an American television series that aired on ABC from September 21, 1999 to April 15, 2002. It depicts the family of a single mother and her romance with a single father... |
Jennifer | 9 episodes |
| 2000 | Party of Five Party of Five Party of Five is an American teen drama television series that aired on Fox for six seasons, from September 12, 1994, until May 3, 2000.Critically acclaimed, the show suffered from low ratings and after its first season was slated for cancellation... |
Phoebe | Episode: "Taboo or Not Taboo" |
| 2001 | DAG DAG (TV series) DAG is an American sitcom that aired from November 2000 to May 2001 on NBC. It was named after its star, David Alan Grier, who stars as United States Secret Service agent Jerome Daggett. Daggett's name, in turn, is a back-formation... |
Becky Jo Jensen | Episode: "America's Sweetheart" |
| 2001 | ER ER (TV series) ER is an American medical drama television series created by novelist Michael Crichton that aired on NBC from September 19, 1994 to April 2, 2009. It was produced by Constant c Productions and Amblin Entertainment, in association with Warner Bros. Television... |
Nori | Episode: "Fear of Commitment" |
| 2001 | Legally Blonde Legally Blonde Legally Blonde is a 2001 American comedy film directed by Robert Luketic, written by Karen McCullah Lutz and Kirsten Smith, and produced by Marc E. Platt... |
Amy | |
| 2001 | Dying to Dance | Alyssa Lennox | TV movie |
| 2001 | All My Children All My Children All My Children is an American television soap opera that aired on ABC from January 5, 1970 to September 23, 2011. Created by Agnes Nixon, All My Children is set in Pine Valley, Pennsylvania, a fictitious suburb of Philadelphia. The show features Susan Lucci as Erica Kane, one of daytime's most... |
Robin Scorpio | TV series |
| 2002 | Judging Amy Judging Amy Judging Amy is an American television drama that was telecast from September 19, 1999, through May 3, 2005, on CBS-TV. This TV series starred Amy Brenneman and Tyne Daly... |
Melissa Johnston | Episode: "Who Shot Dick?" |
| 2002 | Crossing Jordan Crossing Jordan Crossing Jordan is an American television crime/drama series that aired on NBC from September 24, 2001 to May 16, 2007. It stars Jill Hennessy as Jordan Cavanaugh, M.D., a crime-solving forensic pathologist employed in the Suffolk County, Massachusetts, Medical Examiner's Office... |
Isabelle | Episode: "Four Fathers" |
| 2002 | Family Law Family Law (TV series) Family Law is a television drama starring Kathleen Quinlan as divorced lawyer Lynn Holt, who attempted to start her own law firm after her lawyer husband took all their old clients... |
Carly Sifton | Episode: "Big Brother" |
| 2002 | Deena | Episode: "Blowback" Episode: "Pay in Pain" |
|
| 2003 | Cigarette | Mindy | Short film |
| 2003 | Firefly Firefly (TV series) Firefly is an American space western television series created by writer and director Joss Whedon, under his Mutant Enemy Productions label. Whedon served as executive producer, along with Tim Minear.... |
Chari | Episode: "Heart of Gold" |
| 2004 | CSI: Crime Scene Investigation CSI: Crime Scene Investigation CSI: Crime Scene Investigation is an American crime drama television series, which premiered on CBS on October 6, 2000. The show was created by Anthony E. Zuiker and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer... |
Vampire #3 | Episode: "Suckers" |
| 2004 | Audra | 4 episodes | |
| 2004 | Deena | Episode: "Streaks and Tips" | |
| 2004-2005 | Joan of Arcadia Joan of Arcadia Joan of Arcadia is an American television fantasy/family drama telling the story of teenager Joan Girardi , who sees and speaks with God and performs tasks she is given. The series originally aired on Fridays, 8-9 p.m... |
Beth Reinhart | 6 episodes |
| 2005 | Greener Mountains | Alice | |
| 2005-2012 | General Hospital General Hospital General Hospital is an American daytime television drama that is credited by the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest-running American soap opera currently in production and the third longest running drama in television in American history after Guiding Light and As the World Turns.... |
Dr. Robin Scorpio | TV series |
| 2007-2008 | General Hospital: Night Shift General Hospital: Night Shift General Hospital: Night Shift is an American prime time serial that first aired on SOAPnet for a 13-episode run from July 12, 2007 to October 4, 2007. A spin-off of the ABC Daytime soap opera General Hospital, the show is SOAPnet's first original scripted drama series and follows the nighttime... |
Dr. Robin Scorpio | 7 episodes |
| 2008 | Deena | Episode: "Game Face" | |
| 2010 | Fake It Til You Make It | Decoy | Episode: "Wayne Brady Tweets" |
| 2010 | Stage 4 | Eliza | Short film |
Awards
All of McCullough's awards and nominations have been for her role as Robin Scorpio on General Hospital.Won
- (1996) Daytime EmmyDaytime Emmy AwardThe Daytime Emmy Awards are awards presented by the New York-based National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and the Los Angeles-based Academy of Television Arts & Sciences in recognition of excellence in American daytime television programming...
, Outstanding Younger Leading Actress in a Drama SeriesDaytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Younger Actress in a Drama SeriesThe Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Younger Actress in a Drama Series has been given every year at the Daytime Emmys since the 12th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards ceremony in 1985. The award category was originally called the Outstanding Ingenue in a Drama Series... - (1993) Soap Opera Digest AwardsSoap Opera Digest AwardsThe Soap Opera Digest Awards were an awards show held by the daytime television magazine Soap Opera Digest. The awards were founded in 1984 to replace the less-lavish Soapy Award; those awards shows had run since 1977. The Soap Opera Digest Awards are meant to promote excellence in the soap opera...
, Outstanding Child Actor - (1989) Daytime Emmy, 'Outstanding Juvenile Female in a Drama Series
- (1987) Young Artist AwardYoung Artist AwardThe Young Artist Award is an accolade bestowed by the Young Artist Foundation, a non-profit organization founded in 1978 to recognize and award excellence of youth performers, and to provide scholarships for young artists who may be physically and/or financially challenged.The Young Artist...
, Exceptional Performance by a Young Actor in a Daytime Series - (1986) Soap Opera Digest Award, Outstanding Youth Actor/Actress on a Daytime or Prime Time Serial
- (1986) Young Artist Award, Outstanding Young Actress - Regular Daytime Serial
Nominated
- (1997) Daytime Emmy, Outstanding Younger Actress in a Drama Series
- (1997) Young Artist Award, Best Performance in a Daytime Drama - Young Actress
- (1997) YoungStar Award, Best Performance by a Young Actress in a Daytime TV Program
- (1992) Soap Opera Digest Award, Outstanding Younger Leading Actress: Daytime
- (1990) Daytime Emmy, Outstanding Juvenile Female in a Drama Series
- (1990) Young Artist Award, Best Young Actress in a Daytime Drama
- (1989) Young Artist Award, Best Young Actress in a Daytime Drama Series
- (1988) Young Artist Award, Best Young Actress Starring in a Television Drama Series