Koo Stark
Encyclopedia
Kathleen Dee-Anne Stark, better known as Koo Stark (born 26 April 1956), is an American
film actress and photographer. She is known for her appearance in the film Emily
and subsequent relationship with Prince Andrew
, son of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom
, before his marriage to Sarah, Duchess of York
.
(1919–2005). She was educated privately in Manhattan
at The Hewitt School . She moved to London
at the age of sixteen.
(1976), which includes a scene in a shower with Stark and another woman. The soundtrack of that film included a title song written for the film by Rod McKuen
, and was a late-night staple of early pay-cable channels such as HBO. She also played the part of Camie in the film Star Wars
(1977). She appeared in two scenes, both of which were eventually removed. The role of Rost in the Doctor Who
serial "Attack of the Cybermen
" was meant for her but she allegedly had a disagreement with the production team over her fee and was replaced by Sarah Greene
.
She appeared in an episode of the cult sci-fi TV show Red Dwarf
(1989). In an alternate universe, Dave Lister is hugely successful, including being married to a gorgeous, titled wife, played by Stark. She also had an uncredited role in The Rocky Horror Picture Show
.
, she was married to Tim Jefferies between 1986 and 1990. She has one daughter, Tatiana (born 12 March 1997) by Warren Walker. Stark lives in London
and has been a practising Buddhist since 1994.
It was reported by mainstream U.K. press in late September 2008 that she had been evicted from her home, was on the verge of bankruptcy, and was living in a hotel in west London by the good graces of the hotel management until her financial situation could be resolved. On 11 February 2011 it was further reported that she had been made bankrupt over her stay at the five-star Jumeirah Carlton Tower Hotel in London's upmarket Knightsbridge in 2008.
, resulting in a mastectomy
and a course of chemotherapy
. In 2003, she had a second mastectomy. Due to her experience with cancer she has founded a cancer awareness agency, Keep Abreast.
-based electro-pop band Koo Starck named itself after a hybrid of Koo Stark and designer Philippe Starck
, claiming their inspiration to be "industrial design, soft porn, and royal scandal". Another Canadian band, Chixdiggit, has a song titled "Koo Stark" on its album Pink Razors
(2005).
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
film actress and photographer. She is known for her appearance in the film Emily
Emily (film)
Emily, also known as The Awakening of Emily, is a 1976 British-made soft-core erotic film made by Henry Herbert, starring Koo Stark as a young woman discovering her sensual side....
and subsequent relationship with Prince Andrew
Prince Andrew, Duke of York
Prince Andrew, Duke of York KG GCVO , is the second son, and third child of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh...
, son of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom
Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom
Elizabeth II is the constitutional monarch of 16 sovereign states known as the Commonwealth realms: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize,...
, before his marriage to Sarah, Duchess of York
Sarah, Duchess of York
Sarah, Duchess of York is a British charity patron, spokesperson, writer, film producer, television personality and former member of the British Royal Family. She is the former wife of Prince Andrew, Duke of York, whom she married from 1986 to 1996...
.
Early life
Her parents were the film producer Wilbur Stark (1912–1995) and New York television host Kathi NorrisKathi Norris
Kathi Norris was an American television hostess.-Career:Norris hosted the first daytime talk show on WABD, the DuMont Television Network flagship TV station in New York City...
(1919–2005). She was educated privately in Manhattan
Manhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
at The Hewitt School . She moved to London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
at the age of sixteen.
Film and television acting
Her best known and most controversial performance was the lead role in the erotic film EmilyEmily (film)
Emily, also known as The Awakening of Emily, is a 1976 British-made soft-core erotic film made by Henry Herbert, starring Koo Stark as a young woman discovering her sensual side....
(1976), which includes a scene in a shower with Stark and another woman. The soundtrack of that film included a title song written for the film by Rod McKuen
Rod McKuen
Rod McKuen is an American poet, songwriter, composer, and singer. He was one of the best-selling poets in the United States during the late 1960s. Throughout his career, McKuen produced a wide range of recordings, which included popular music, spoken word poetry, film soundtracks, and classical music...
, and was a late-night staple of early pay-cable channels such as HBO. She also played the part of Camie in the film Star Wars
Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, originally released as Star Wars, is a 1977 American epic space opera film, written and directed by George Lucas. It is the first of six films released in the Star Wars saga: two subsequent films complete the original trilogy, while a prequel trilogy completes the...
(1977). She appeared in two scenes, both of which were eventually removed. The role of Rost in the Doctor Who
Doctor Who
Doctor Who is a British science fiction television programme produced by the BBC. The programme depicts the adventures of a time-travelling humanoid alien known as the Doctor who explores the universe in a sentient time machine called the TARDIS that flies through time and space, whose exterior...
serial "Attack of the Cybermen
Attack of the Cybermen
Attack of the Cybermen is a serial in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, which was first broadcast in two weekly parts from 5 January to 12 January 1985. It opened Season 22 of the series...
" was meant for her but she allegedly had a disagreement with the production team over her fee and was replaced by Sarah Greene
Sarah Greene
Sarah Greene is a British television personality well known for presenting live TV: long-running series e.g. Blue Peter, from 19 May 1980 until 27 June 1983, Saturday Superstore, Going Live for 10 years and big event/awards shows.- Early life and career :Greene was born in London, England, the...
.
She appeared in an episode of the cult sci-fi TV show Red Dwarf
Timeslides
"Timeslides" is the fifth episode of science fiction sit-com Red Dwarf Series III, and the seventeenth in the series run. It premiered on the British television channel BBC2 on 12 December 1989. Written by Rob Grant and Doug Naylor, and directed by Ed Bye, the plot deals with Lister's desire to...
(1989). In an alternate universe, Dave Lister is hugely successful, including being married to a gorgeous, titled wife, played by Stark. She also had an uncredited role in The Rocky Horror Picture Show
The Rocky Horror Picture Show
The Rocky Horror Picture Show is the 1975 film adaptation of the British rock musical stageplay, The Rocky Horror Show, written by Richard O'Brien. The film is a parody of B-movie, science fiction and horror films of the late 1940s through early 1970s. Director Jim Sharman collaborated on the...
.
Personal life
After parting from Prince Andrew following his return from the Falklands WarFalklands War
The Falklands War , also called the Falklands Conflict or Falklands Crisis, was fought in 1982 between Argentina and the United Kingdom over the disputed Falkland Islands and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands...
, she was married to Tim Jefferies between 1986 and 1990. She has one daughter, Tatiana (born 12 March 1997) by Warren Walker. Stark lives in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
and has been a practising Buddhist since 1994.
It was reported by mainstream U.K. press in late September 2008 that she had been evicted from her home, was on the verge of bankruptcy, and was living in a hotel in west London by the good graces of the hotel management until her financial situation could be resolved. On 11 February 2011 it was further reported that she had been made bankrupt over her stay at the five-star Jumeirah Carlton Tower Hotel in London's upmarket Knightsbridge in 2008.
Health
In 2002 she was diagnosed with breast cancerBreast cancer
Breast cancer is cancer originating from breast tissue, most commonly from the inner lining of milk ducts or the lobules that supply the ducts with milk. Cancers originating from ducts are known as ductal carcinomas; those originating from lobules are known as lobular carcinomas...
, resulting in a mastectomy
Mastectomy
Mastectomy is the medical term for the surgical removal of one or both breasts, partially or completely. Mastectomy is usually done to treat breast cancer; in some cases, women and some men believed to be at high risk of breast cancer have the operation prophylactically, that is, to prevent cancer...
and a course of chemotherapy
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is the treatment of cancer with an antineoplastic drug or with a combination of such drugs into a standardized treatment regimen....
. In 2003, she had a second mastectomy. Due to her experience with cancer she has founded a cancer awareness agency, Keep Abreast.
Cultural influence
The MontrealMontreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
-based electro-pop band Koo Starck named itself after a hybrid of Koo Stark and designer Philippe Starck
Philippe Starck
Philippe Patrick Starck is a French product designer and probably the best known designer in the New Design style...
, claiming their inspiration to be "industrial design, soft porn, and royal scandal". Another Canadian band, Chixdiggit, has a song titled "Koo Stark" on its album Pink Razors
Pink Razors
-Track listing:All songs by KJ Jansen.# "Welcome to the Daiso" - 1:41# "I Remember You" - 2:33# "Get Down" - 0:31# "You're Pretty Good" - 1:48# "Geocities Kitty" - 1:57# "J Crew" - 2:10# "Good Girls" - 2:05# "Earthquake" - 0:56# "Koo Stark" - 2:22...
(2005).