Belinda Montgomery rose to fame in the late 1980s and early 1990s as Katherine ‘Kate’ Howser on the hit TV show Doogie Howser M.D.
As the mother of child prodigy and doctor Dougie Howser (played by Neil Patrick Harris), Montgomery provided a warm, loving counterpoint to Dougie’s precociousness.
But after Doogie ended in 1993, Montgomery’s acting career slowed down dramatically. So what happened to the actress behind one of TV’s most memorable moms?
Background Information
Belinda Montgomery’s journey began in Winnipeg, Canada, where she was born to actor Cecil Montgomery on July 23, 1950.
Belinda’s initiation into acting was quite serendipitous. During one of her visits to the CBC studio with her father, she was unexpectedly cast in a role when the original child actor didn’t show up. With her distinct husky voice, young Belinda often played male characters, marking the beginning of her acting journey.
Montgomery’s innate talent and professionalism quickly made her a sought-after child actress in Canada. She reminisced about her experiences working on live broadcasts, including a memorable Christmas story titled ‘Brandynose.’ Despite the on-air mishaps and challenges, Montgomery’s passion for acting only grew stronger.
While acting remained a significant part of her life, Montgomery never abandoned her love for painting. Inspired by a Van Gogh exhibit she visited as a child, she continued to paint throughout her acting career. She even sold her first artwork at the age of 10, further fueling her passion for the arts.
Her family’s move to England when she was 11 brought new experiences. While she did a chocolate TV commercial with her sister, most of her time in London was spent focusing on academics. The cultural and linguistic differences posed challenges, but they also provided amusing memories, especially her and her sister’s acquired English accents.
Upon returning to Canada, Montgomery’s career took off. She landed significant roles, including the lead in “Hey, Cinderella!” directed by Jim Henson. This project introduced her to the world of the Muppets, and she fondly remembers working with iconic characters like Kermit the Frog.
Her talent didn’t go unnoticed. Eleanor Kilgallen from MCA spotted her and offered her a seven-year contract with Universal Studios in Hollywood.
Early Roles
Her first credited role was in 1967 on the Canadian TV series Barney Boomer. Over the next two decades, Montgomery amassed dozens of acting credits in both television and film.
Some highlights before landing her breakout role on Doogie Howser M.D. include starring in the CBC TV movie Hey Cinderella! in 1969, which marked the first appearances of Jim Henson’s Muppets like Kermit the Frog. She appeared in TV shows like Ironside and movies like Ritual of Evil (1970).
She continued working steadily in the 1970s and 80s, with roles in films like The Other Side of the Mountain (1975) and guest appearances on hit shows like The Streets of San Francisco, Murder She Wrote, Miami Vice and many more.
By the time she was cast as Katherine Howser on Doogie Howser M.D. in 1989, Belinda Montgomery already had over 50 TV and film acting credits to her name over the previous two decades.
Doogie Howser, M.D.
“Doogie Howser, M.D.” was a popular TV series that aired from 1989 to 1993. The show revolved around a teenage genius who, despite his young age, was a licensed physician in a challenging residency program.
The series delved into the complexities of growing up while juggling the responsibilities of being a doctor.
Belinda Montgomery played the role of Katherine Howser, Doogie’s mother. Her character was a pillar of support for Doogie, providing the emotional and moral guidance he often needed while navigating the challenges of his unique situation.
Montgomery was a mainstay on the show, appearing in all 97 episodes across the series’ four seasons.
Post “Doogie Howser, M.D. Career
After her long-running role on Doogie Howser M.D. ended in 1993, Belinda Montgomery worked consistently but less frequently as an actress. She had a handful of roles through the late 1990s, including TV movies Dirty Little Secret (1998) and The Scarecrow (2000), where she voiced the character Polly.
There was then a significant gap of 5 years before her next acting credit, a guest role on Ghost Whisperer in 2005. Another gap followed until she appeared in the TV movie Camouflage in 2001.
Montgomery’s final on-screen acting credit was a small part playing Jeff Bridges’ mother in the 2010 film TRON: Legacy. This marked a period of 12 years between her role in The Scarecrow in 2000 and her appearance in TRON in 2010.
After 2010, Montgomery completely stepped back from on-screen acting, not taking any new roles for the next decade. She focused her attention on caring for her elderly parents, developing her painting skills, and buying real estate during this time.
It wasn’t until 2019, 9 years after her last role, that Montgomery returned for what looks to be her acting swan song, voicing the character Mary Lou in the TV movie Radio Christmas.
So Montgomery went from regular TV and film work through the 1990s to only a handful of sporadic roles in the 2000s, signaling a winding down of her decades-long acting career. The gaps of 5-12 years between roles in the 2000s and 2010s reflect her shift away from acting and into retirement.
What is Belinda Montgomery Doing Now?
(photo)
Belinda Montgomery has in recent years shifted her focus towards her passion for painting and artwork, as well as buying and renovating houses.
Following the passing of her mother in 2005, Montgomery chose to attend art school, dedicating more of her time to painting.
Although she has taken a step back from acting, she hasn’t entirely closed the door on it. She still retains an agent and remains receptive to the right acting opportunities, as evidenced by her role in TRON: Legacy in 2010. However, art remains her primary focus.
In parallel to her artistic endeavors, Montgomery has been actively involved in the real estate sector.
Throughout her life and acting career, she has found joy in buying, renovating, and selling houses.
Recently, she and her husband purchased several houses on the East Coast, which they renovated and are now renting out.
Montgomery is also dedicating time to care for her elderly father.
Related Posts:
