Kathleen Noone (née O'Meara; January 8, 1945) is an American actress. She began her career as a singer in nightclubs and performed in musicals off-Broadway before making her television debut in the CBS daytime soap opera, As the World Turns (1975–1976). From 1977 to 1989, Noone played Ellen Shepherd Dalton on the ABC daytime soap opera, All My Children. For this role, she won Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series in 1987. In 1990, Noone moved to prime time, starring as villainous Claudia Whittaker in the CBS series, Knots Landing (1990–1993). She returned to daytime television as Bette Katzenkazrahi on NBC's Sunset Beach (1997–1999), for which she received another Daytime Emmy Award nomination. She has had recurring roles on L.A. Law, Party of Five, According to Jim, and Dexter. Life and career Noone was born in Hillsdale, New Jersey to a professional baseball player father. She graduated from University of Miami and Southern Methodist University, and the following years performed on off-Broadway stage. She co-founded member of the Scott Repertory Theatre, the Globe Theatre in Texas, and the Colonnaides Theatre in New York City, where she co-produced and developed plays with Michael Lessac. 1975-1989 Noone has made her screen debut playing Margaret Porter in the CBS daytime soap opera As the World Turns from 1975 to 1976. In 1977, she was cast as recently divorced Ellen Shepherd on the ABC daytime soap opera, All My Children, a role she played from 1977 to 1989. Her character was counter to the naughty Erica Kane (Susan Lucci). In 1987, she won the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series after nomination in 1980 in same category. She also received three Soap Opera Digest Awards nominations. 1990-1999 After leaving All My Children, Noone, in her early 40s, moved from New York to Los Angeles for a career in Hollywood. After guest starring roles on Quantum Leap and Empty Nest, in 1990 Noone, was asked to play the new character of Claudia Whittaker, elder sister of Greg Sumner (William Devane) in the CBS primetime drama Knots Landing. She played the role from 1990 until the show was ended in 1993. Noone's character became an antagonist for the last three seasons after Donna Mills's leaving in 1989. In 1992, Noone received Soap Opera Digest Award nomination for Outstanding Actress: Prime Time for her performance as Claudia.