Koo Stark is an American-born actress and photographer who first gained public attention through a series of 1970s film roles and later became a fixture of tabloid headlines as the girlfriend of Prince Andrew. In the decades since, she has built a separate career as a fine art photographer, largely stepping away from the spotlight and letting her work speak for itself.
Born Kathleen Dee-Anne Stark in New York City, she moved to London as a teenager and began acting in British and European cinema. Her filmography is small but distinctive, including the erotic drama Emily (1976) and a deleted scene in Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope. But it was her romance with the Duke of York in the early 1980s that cemented her name in the public record.
Today Koo Stark is a professional photographer with a portfolio that has been exhibited in London and auctioned at Christie’s and Sotheby’s. She maintains a low profile and does not publicly discuss her personal life or former relationship with the royal family.
Who Is Koo Stark? — Biography, Birth, and Early Life
Full Name
Kathleen Norris Stark (born Kathleen Dee-Anne Stark)
Born
April 26, 1956 (age 68)
Birthplace
New York City, USA
Known For
Actress, Photographer; Relationship with Prince Andrew
- Koo Stark is best known for her relationship with Prince Andrew in the early 1980s, but she has built a separate career as a fine art photographer.
- Her most famous film role is in the 1976 erotic drama Emily, which brought her public attention before her royal connection.
- Despite media speculation, Koo Stark has never publicly claimed a child with Prince Andrew and has largely avoided the spotlight in recent decades.
- She maintains an active photography portfolio on her official website, specializing in portraits, reportage, and figurative work.
- Her father, Wilbur Stark, and mother, Kathi Norris, were both writers and entertainers, according to Town & Country magazine.
- She moved to London at age 14 for her education, as noted on her official art biography page.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birth Name | Kathleen Dee-Anne Stark (later known as Kathleen Norris Stark) |
| Date of Birth | 26 April 1956 |
| Place of Birth | New York City, USA |
| Profession(s) | Actress, Photographer |
| Notable Films | Emily (1976), Marquis de Sade’s Justine (1977), Electric Dreams (1984) |
| Famous Relationship | Prince Andrew, Duke of York (early 1980s) |
| Photography Website | koostark.art |
What Movies Did Koo Stark Star In? — Acting Career Overview
Koo Stark’s acting career was brief but produced a handful of roles that still generate curiosity. She is perhaps best known for playing the title character in Emily (also released as The Awakening of Emily) in 1976, an erotic drama set in Victorian England. That same year she famously filmed scenes as Camie Marstrap, a friend of Luke Skywalker, in Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope, but her performance was left on the cutting-room floor. According to IMDb, the scenes were deleted before the film’s release.
Key Film Credits
- The Awakening of Emily / Emily (1976) – Lead role as Emily, a young woman exploring her sexuality.
- Marquis de Sade’s Justine / Cruel Passion (1977) – A period erotic drama based on the writings of the Marquis de Sade.
- Electric Dreams (1984) – A romantic comedy in which she played a supporting role opposite Lenny Von Dohlen.
- Eat the Rich (1987) – A satirical comedy about class and cannibalism.
- Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977, deleted scenes) – Played Camie Marstrap, cut from the final film.
Koo Stark also had a stage connection. IMDb notes that she was originally cast in the Doctor Who serial “Attack of the Cybermen” but was recast before filming. Town & Country adds that she worked in theatre and had success beyond the film roles that made headlines.
Is Koo Stark a Photographer? — Her Art and Photography Career
Yes, Koo Stark has been a professional photographer for more than three decades. After her acting career wound down in the mid-1980s, she turned to photography full-time, studying under and being mentored by the renowned British photographer Norman Parkinson from 1982 until his death in 1990. Her official biography page describes her work as spanning portraits, reportage, figurative studies, still life, and yoga.
Stark’s photographs have been exhibited in solo shows in London and elsewhere, and she has contributed to charity projects. Her work has also appeared in auctions at Christie’s and Sotheby’s. She served as a special photographer on film productions including Aria, Little Buddha, and The Leopard. Her website, koostark.art, showcases her portfolio and offers a modest biography written in her own voice.
Was Koo Stark Prince Andrew’s Girlfriend? — Relationship with the Royal Family
Multiple sources, including IMDb, Town & Country, and the writer Ash Clifton, confirm that Koo Stark was the girlfriend of Prince Andrew, Duke of York, in the early 1980s. They met in London around 1981 and Stark reportedly spent time at Buckingham Palace and Balmoral Castle. The relationship attracted intense media attention, particularly after the press rediscovered her earlier film roles, which were described in British tabloids as soft‑core pornography.
The public scrutiny is widely cited as the main reason for the breakup, though no official statement was ever made by either party. Stark has never spoken publicly in detail about the romance. Town & Country reports that she gave birth to a daughter, Tatiana, in 1997, and that Prince Andrew is Tatiana’s godfather.
There is no credible evidence that Koo Stark had a child with Prince Andrew, nor that she has any connection to the Epstein scandal. Unverified rumors persist due to her past association with the Duke of York, but no reliable source supports them.
Key Events in Koo Stark’s Life
- 1956 – Born in New York City.
- 1970s – Began acting in British and European films, notably Emily (1976) and Justine (1977).
- 1980 – Met Prince Andrew at a party; relationship becomes a tabloid sensation.
- 1983 – Relationship with Prince Andrew ends amid royal family objections.
- 1984 – Appears in Electric Dreams; begins to pivot to photography.
- 1990s–present – Established herself as a fine art photographer; exhibits work; maintains low public profile.
- 2010s – News interest resurfaces intermittently due to Prince Andrew’s controversies.
What Is Known and Unknown About Koo Stark?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| She was Prince Andrew’s girlfriend in the early 1980s; the relationship ended partly due to media scrutiny over her film roles. | Details of whether she and Prince Andrew had a child are not proven; no official confirmation from either party. |
| She lives in the UK (likely London) and continues to work as a photographer. | Exact residence, income, and net worth are private; no reliable estimates exist. |
| No known connection to the Epstein scandal; Koo Stark has not been named in any court filings or media investigations. | Because of her past ties to Prince Andrew, some speculation persists, but no evidence. |
Why Does Koo Stark Remain a Subject of Public Interest?
The combination of a brief acting career, a high‑profile royal romance, and a later turn to fine art photography creates a unique biographical arc. Public fascination is fuelled by the ongoing scrutiny of Prince Andrew’s life and the “what if” narrative of a potential royal marriage. At the same time, her photography has received critical praise in art circles, making her a figure of interest for both royal watchers and art enthusiasts.
Stark has intentionally avoided the media spotlight since the 1980s. Her art website presents a carefully controlled public image focused purely on her work, not her personal past. That deliberate privacy only deepens the curiosity around her story.
What Do Official Sources Say About Koo Stark?
“Kathleen Norris ‘Koo’ Stark (born April 26, 1956) is an American photographer and actress, known for her relationship with Andrew Mountbatten‑Windsor…”
Wikipedia
“Koo Stark was born on 26 April 1956 in New York City, New York, USA. She is an actress, known for Electric Dreams (1984), Marquis de Sade’s Justine (1977)…”
IMDb
“Portraits, Reportage, Figurative, Still Life, Yoga – Biography.”
Koo Stark Art (official site)
What Is the Last Word on Koo Stark?
Koo Stark is a woman who lived three distinct lives in the public eye: a 1970s actress, the girlfriend of a prince, and a respected fine‑art photographer. She has consistently chosen to let her photography define her public identity rather than her past headlines. For those interested in other careers that span acting and modeling, reading about Em Rata – Biography, Career, and Personal Life or Iris Law – Biography, Age, Parents, and Career as a Model & Actress may offer additional perspectives.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Koo Stark’s net worth?
There is no reliable public estimate of Koo Stark’s net worth. She has maintained a private life and does not disclose financial details.
Did Koo Stark have a child with Prince Andrew?
This is an unsubstantiated rumor. There is no credible evidence or confirmation from either party that Koo Stark had a child with Prince Andrew.
Is Koo Stark on Instagram?
There is no verified public Instagram account for Koo Stark. Her primary online presence is her photography website koostark.art.
Does Koo Stark still act?
No, Koo Stark has not acted in films or television since the mid-1980s. She transitioned to a full‑time career in fine art photography.
Why did Koo Stark and Prince Andrew break up?
The relationship reportedly ended due to opposition from the royal family and the pressures of media scrutiny. No official statement was made.
What was Koo Stark’s role in Emily?
Koo Stark played the title role in the 1976 erotic drama Emily, which became her best‑known acting performance.
Is Koo Stark related to the Stark family from Game of Thrones?
No. The surname Stark is unrelated; her nickname “Koo” is a family diminutive.
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Hannah Wells covers Westminster, councils, policy and public affairs for UKBullet.uk.