Catherine Burns

Catherine Burns was an American actress and children's book writer of Irish and Polish descent. She was once nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, for playing the rape victim Rhoda in "Last Summer" (1969). In 1945, Burns was born in New York City. She was educated (in order) at the Hunter College High School, Hunter College and the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Burns made her acting debut in the television film "The Crucible" (1967), which depicted the Salem Witch trials (1692). Burns played the 18-year-olds servant girl Mary Warren, who was historically the oldest of the accusers at the trials. At the time, Burns herself was 22-years-old. Burns made her theatrical debut in 1968, performing in the play "The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie". The play was an adaptation of the 1961 novel by Muriel Spark, where fascist teacher Jean Brodie surrounds herself with a clique of elite female students. Burns won critical acclaim for her role and won a Clarence Derwent Awa