who is katherine?

Screenwriter Katherine Fugate is the creator of the hit television drama series “Army Wives” (ABC/Lifetime) where she is also served as Executive Producer for two years.

“Army Wives” is an ensemble drama series about the relationships and struggles of a diverse group of women living on an active army base.  It is the most successful series in the network’s 24-year history and was awarded a WIN award and a Gracie Award in its first year. Katherine was honored to speak in the US Senate in Washington DC and on CNN regarding PTSD issues.

Katherine is also the writer of several feature films including the upcoming “Valentine’s Day,” directed by Garry Marshall (New Line/WB, Feb, 2010) and “The Prince & Me” (Paramount/Lionsgate, 2004) starring Julia Stiles.  Her script, "The Senator's Wife," was named on the annual Top Ten Best Unproduced Screenplays list for 2006, alongside Juno, The Things We Lost in the Fire, Charlie Wilson's War and Lars & The Real Girl.

In July, 2008, Katherine was chosen as one of 50 women in Daily Variety's Annual Women of Impact in Hollywood issue.  She was also elected to the Board of Directors of the Writers Guild of America, West in September of 2008. 

In addition to her knack for getting original stories on the page, Katherine has a fearless streak that helps her get things done in everyday life and behind the scenes in Hollywood. In 2003, casting began on a feature film she had written, “Carolina” (Miramax Films, 2004). The film was largely autobiographical and the role of Grandma Mirabeau was based on Katherine’s own grandmother, who had recently passed away. Katherine had her heart set on Shirley MacLaine, who had passed on the script unread, having given up on Hollywood. So she went to the unusual length of dressing up as a messenger to hand deliver the script and a personal note to MacLaine at her Malibu home. The gambit worked, and MacLaine called just hours later to accept the role.

Katherine’s career in entertainment began on the production side, where she learned the ropes as a production assistant. Later she worked at renowned entertainment talent agency ICM in the literary department. She also held studio positions at 20th Century Fox and Columbia Pictures.

While her career as a film executive was blooming, Katherine realized that her true passion was in writing. She left the executive suite behind and poured herself into realizing her dream of becoming a screenwriter. The road to writing success was full of detours and odd jobs such as delivering flowers and Chinese food, but even at the darkest moments, Katherine never considered giving up. She knew if she didn't reach for her dream now, as hard as it was to start over, she never would. This is why she later named her film company Carpe Diem Films, Inc. “I frequently draw on that time in my life to give me strength.  We all stumble, it's how many times you get up that matter.”

Katherine’s television credits include the series “Army Wives,” “Xena: Warrior Princess,” and “Max Steel.” Her feature credits include “An Ordinary Murder,” “Impermanence,” "Pompeii," “NFL Dad,” “Carolina,” “The Prince & Me,” “The Senator’s Wife,” and “Valentine’s Day.”  She is currently adapting "What Alice Forgot" for New Regency and Fox 2000.

Katherine was raised in Southern California, where she worked as a child actor from the age of six. She has always been close with her aunt, “I Dream of Jeannie” star, Barbara Eden, honoring her by naming her daughter Madeleine Barbara. Katherine graduated from University of California at Riverside with a B.A. in Theater Arts. She is an avid fan of the New Orleans Saints and lives with her daughter in Los Angeles and in New Orleans.  Charity work is a passion of hers and she's contributed time and money to issues regarding teen runaways, children of alcoholics, domestic violence and rebuilding the city of New Orleans, post-Katrina.

Katherine is represented by: Bayard Maybank (310) 274-4600.