Get To Know Kate Godfrey: One of the Brightest Rising Stars in Hollywood

Photo Credit: Jonny Marlow

Award-winning actress Kate Godfrey is quickly establishing herself as one of the brightest rising stars in Hollywood. Kate’s versatility and talent are turning heads across the entertainment industry, from her comedic beginnings on Nickelodeon to earning accolades for her dramatic depth.

Born and raised in Scottsdale, Arizona, Kate’s journey into the spotlight began at the tender age of nine, performing in local productions and the Broadway community in New York City. Her big break came as a regular cast member on Nickelodeon’s All That revival, where she delivered 36 episodes of show-stopping performances. Her sharp comedic timing and infectious energy earned rave reviews and even caught the attention of SNL legend Kenan Thompson, who praised her as a next-generation talent.

Kate continued to make waves on Nickelodeon, taking on the lead role of Ruby in Warped!, a series that allowed her to showcase her comedic chops further. Adding to her list of accomplishments, she appeared in a sketch comedy segment on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, marking her late-night debut.

Photo Credit: Jonny Marlow

While Kate’s comedy credentials are undeniable, her career is expanding into dramatic territory. She recently starred in the short film Leading Man, a role that earned her the 2024 Tribeca Most Moving Narrative Award, underscoring her range and emotional depth as an actress. The film’s success continued as it became an official selection at the Out On Film Festival, qualifying for both the Oscars and BAFTA—an extraordinary milestone for someone so early in her career.

Looking ahead, Kate’s future is brimming with promise. In 2025, she will appear as a recurring guest star in Hulu’s highly anticipated series Paradise, where she plays the daughter of Julianne Nicholson. The series, which also features James Marsden and Sterling K. Brown, is already generating considerable buzz. Adding to her growing filmography, Kate has also secured a role in the upcoming feature film Red Ants.

Beyond her on-screen success, Kate balances her rising career with her education at UCLA, where she continues to hone her craft. She also dedicates time to giving back by working with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, reflecting her commitment to making a positive impact off-screen as well.

Kate’s ability to transition seamlessly between comedy and drama sets her apart as a truly multi-faceted talent. With her star continuing to rise and a slew of high-profile projects on the horizon, Kate Godfrey is undoubtedly poised to become one of Hollywood’s next big stars.

Recently, StarCentral Magazine had the pleasure of interviewing the award-winning actress, and here’s what went down:

Kate, you’ve had an impressive journey from your early days on All That to winning the Tribeca Most Moving Narrative Award for Leading Man. What has been the most transformative experience for you as an actress so far?

My most recent favorite experience was seeing our short, Leading Man, at Tribeca. It inspired me not only as an actor but as a filmmaker. Seeing myself play a very serious role was different for me, and I realized I would like to do more of that in the near future. However, my most transformative experiences have been outside of the entertainment industry. I am really lucky to have had such wonderful experiences so far in my acting career, but I think that being able to live life and go to both high school and college has taught me things about acting that I couldn’t learn on set.

Photo Credit: Jonny Marlow

Comedy legend Kenan Thompson has praised your work. How has his support and mentorship influenced your growth as a comedian and actress in Hollywood?

I think Kenan’s mentorship has helped me be confident and work hard. It is really challenging to be a working actor, so it is helpful to have words of encouragement from people whose work you admire. Kenan is also a really kind person. He works like crazy and is still a good influence. I hope to be that friendly and humble if I am ever as successful as him.

Warped! and All That showcased your comedic talents, while Leading Man demonstrated your dramatic abilities. How do you balance these two genres, and do you have a preference between comedy and drama?

Balancing the two genres is like playing sports; they can be completely different, but many of the same athletic skills carry over. I like both comedy and drama, I don’t think I can pick one! They honestly just feel like completely different jobs. I will always have a special love for comedy because that is where I learned about the entertainment industry.

You’re transitioning into more mature roles with projects like Lifted and Sorry Charlie. What excites you most about exploring new types of characters and stories as you evolve in your career?

As I grew up, my roles became much more interesting and layered. You are very limited when you are young as to what you can say or do, but as an adult, I find that my characters are much more dimensional. What excites me most is playing these more adult characters and telling stories that resonate with more people.

Photo Credit: Jonny Marlow

Your upcoming role in Hulu’s Paradise shows your expanding range as an actress. Can you share a bit about your characters and what drew you to these projects?

I play Hadley in Paradise City. I have a small role, but I learned a lot while filming it. I play Julianne Nicholson’s daughter. Julianne is one of the most talented actresses I have worked with; she showed me that acting is something you can master. She not only knew how to do her job perfectly, but she also made everyone else’s jobs easier.

Being a student at UCLA while pursuing a demanding acting career must be challenging. How do you manage your studies alongside your professional commitments, and what has motivated you to continue your education?

Education has always been very important to me, and it has always been one of my life goals to get a degree. I know that acting isn’t a steady job, so having a background in the business side of the entertainment industry was interesting to me. I also think learning about the entertainment industry from the lens of a film student has made me an easier actor to work with because I know why productions make the business choices they do. That being said, it is pretty hard to balance; my days are pretty much packed with school or acting things. I am lucky to have a great support system that I can call and rant to about college and work whenever I want. The professors at UCLA are also very helpful in letting me miss class for acting things that pop up.

Photo Credit: Jonny Marlow

You’ve been involved with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, giving back to the community. What inspired your commitment to this cause, and how has it impacted your outlook on life and your work?

I have always loved St. Jude’s and their cause. A kid should never be sick; St. Jude’s makes those families feel a little safer. Being able to hang out with the kids from St. Jude’s is a privilege in itself, so I feel grateful I am able to volunteer.

With your career gaining momentum and several high-profile projects in the pipeline, what do you hope to achieve in the next few years, and what kind of roles are you most excited to tackle?

I hope to do a little bit of everything. Acting is so fun because your job is always different and requires different skills for each character. In the next few years, I would like to play roles that require me to learn new skills and tell unique stories.