Kate Walsh

Kate Walsh is best known for her role as Dr. Addison Montgomery on the ABC medical dramas Grey’s Anatomy and its spin-off Private Practice. She first appeared on Grey’s Anatomy in 2005 as a recurring guest star and quickly became a fan favorite, leading to her promotion to series regular. Her character was so popular that ABC created Private Practice around her, which ran for six seasons from 2007 to 2013 and made Walsh one of the highest-paid actresses on television.

Before her breakthrough on Grey’s Anatomy, Walsh had a steady career in television and theater. She appeared in shows like The Drew Carey Show and had roles in independent films. Her early career included significant stage work in productions at theaters across the country. However, it was her portrayal of the confident and complex neonatal surgeon Addison Montgomery that made her a star and remains her most iconic role to this day.

After Private Practice ended, Walsh continued working steadily in both television and film. She starred in the critically acclaimed Netflix series 13 Reasons Why (2017-2020), the NBC drama Bad Judge (2014), and Emily in Paris (2020-present), where she plays the memorable Madeline Wheeler. She reprised her role as Addison Montgomery on Grey’s Anatomy for a guest arc in 2021-2022, delighting longtime fans of the show.

Walsh is also an entrepreneur who co-founded the fragrance brand Boyfriend in 2010, which expanded into a successful line of perfumes and candles. She has been involved in various business ventures and brand partnerships over the years. An advocate for brain health awareness, she has spoken publicly about her own health scare involving a benign brain tumor that was removed in 2015. Her combined earnings from acting, producing, and business ventures give her an estimated net worth of $20 million as of 2026.