Katherine LaNasa (born December 1, 1966) is an American actress. Since 2025, she has portrayed Nurse Dana Evans in the HBO Max medical drama The Pitt (2025–present), for which she earned a Primetime Emmy Award, a Critics' Choice Award, and an Actor Award.
LaNasa starred in films Jayne Mansfield's Car, The Campaign, and The Frozen Ground. On television, LaNasa has had leading roles in the sitcom Three Sisters (2001–2002), the legal drama Truth Be Told (2019–2023), and the musical series Katy Keene (2020). She appeared in recurring roles on Judging Amy, Two and a Half Men, Big Love, and Longmire, and starred in the short-lived dramas Love Monkey (2006), Deception (2013), Satisfaction (2014–2015) and Imposters (2017–2018).
Early life Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, and raised in Baton Rouge, LaNasa is the daughter of surgeon Dr. James J. LaNasa Jr. She began dancing at the age of 12, and at the age of 14, she was admitted to the North Carolina School of the Arts in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. After an apprenticeship with Milwaukee Ballet, LaNasa danced with Salt Lake City's Ballet West and the Karole Armitage Ballet.
Career
LaNasa assisted John Carrafa with the choreography for the 1989 film Rooftops. She made her feature film debut with a small role in the 1990 film Catchfire and in following years appeared in supporting roles in film and television.
LaNasa guest starred on a number of television series, including Seinfeld, 3rd Rock from the Sun, Touched by an Angel, and The Practice, and in 2001 landed the lead role of Bess Bernstein-Flynn Keats in the NBC comedy series Three Sisters (2001–2002) opposite Dyan Cannon, A. J. Langer, and Vicki Lewis. The series was canceled after two seasons in 2002. She later had recurring roles in Judging Amy as Yvonne Dunbar, as Kim McPherson on The Guardian, and as Michelle Colohan on NYPD Blue. Her other television credits include guest roles on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Grey's Anatomy, ER, House M.D., Justice, and Two and a Half Men. LaNasa had series regular roles in short-lived CBS comedy-drama Love Monkey (2006), playing Karen Freed, and on HBO comedy 12 Miles of Bad Road, as Juliet Shakespeare. LaNasa appeared as Beverly Ford on Big Love from 2009 to 2011. LaNasa appeared in a number of motion pictures during her career. In 2011, after a decade of making various television appearances, she had roles opposite Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis in the 2012 political comedy The Campaign, and 2013 thriller The Frozen Ground. Before this, she had a role in Billy Bob Thornton's drama film Jayne Mansfield's Car, originally created for Robin Wright. Her other film credits include Kiss & Tell (1996), Schizopolis (1996), Alfie (2004), and Valentine's Day (2010).
In 2012, LaNasa was cast as socialite Sophia Bowers in another NBC series Deception, which premiered as a mid-season replacement during the 2012–13 television season.Inventive new comedies, compelling new dramas, and a quality lineup of returning series highlight the 2012–13 NBC primetime schedule The soap-type series was canceled after a single season, ending it on a cliffhanger, in May 2013. She appeared in a recurring role as Lizzie Ambrose on A&E series Longmire from 2012 to 2013. In November 2013, LaNasa was cast as Adrianna, a madam who has a male escort service, in the USA Network drama Satisfaction opposite Matt Passmore. The series premiered on July 17, 2014, and was canceled after two seasons in 2015. In October 2014, she was cast alongside Ana Ortiz, Jeremy Sisto and Tyler Blackburn in the gay-drama Love Is All You Need?, based on the 2011 short film with the same name.
In 2016, LaNasa had a recurring role in the Lifetime comedy-drama Devious Maids. From 2017 to 2018, she was series regular on the Bravo comedy series, Imposters. In 2018, LaNasa joined the cast of the CW prime time soap opera Dynasty playing villainous criminal mastermind Ada Stone during the second season. In 2019, she appeared in the Apple TV drama series Truth Be Told opposite Octavia Spencer. She was cast as a series regular on the 2020 CW series Katy Keene.
In 2025, LaNasa was cast as Nurse Dana Evans in The Pitt. The role earned her an Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series.
Personal life LaNasa, at the age of 22, married 53-year-old actor Dennis Hopper in June 1989; the couple divorced in April 1992. Hopper and LaNasa had a son, Henry Lee Hopper.
On May 19, 1998, she married actor French Stewart. They met when she made a guest appearance on a 1996 episode of 3rd Rock from the Sun. The two divorced in December 2009.
LaNasa married Grant Show, whom she had previously met on the set of Big Love, on August 18, 2012. She gave birth to their daughter on March 21, 2014. LaNasa has discussed in interviews what it is like to be a parent again at 47, saying she has a patience for parenthood now that she didn't have when she had her first child at 22.
In February 2023 she was diagnosed with breast cancer: she underwent surgery and radiation treatment at Piedmont Atlanta Hospital. Due to complications, she was in and out of the emergency room for six months after finishing treatment which she used to inform her performance on The Pitt. LaNasa has spoken about how she was able to "understand how scary it is to be on the other side" and how important small kindnesses from medical staff can be.
Filmography
Film Year Title Role Notes1990CatchfireWaitress1992Brain DonorsDancer No. 11994FlashfireMonica AmbroseMortal FearCarol Donner Honey, I Shrunk the AudienceReporterShort film1996Always Say GoodbyeBlonde Woman The Destiny of Marty FineAmyCathyKiss & TellGeorgia MontaukSchizopolisDiane1997Take a NumberVictoria2004AlfieUta2008Janet2010Valentine's DayPamela Copeland2012Jayne Mansfield's CarDonnaRose Brady2013ButtwhistleMrs. ConferFran Hansen2015The SqueezeJessie 2016 Love Is All You Need? Vicki Curtis Also executive producer
Television Year Title Role Notes1992HannahTelevision film1994Under SuspicionEpisode: "Arson/Murder Story"Jack Reed: A Search for JusticeTiffanyTelevision film1995SeinfeldSgt. Cathy TiernyEpisode: "The Beard"Nothing But the TruthSusie MarshTelevision filmPennyEpisode: "Buy Hard"1996ArielEpisode: "My Mother, My Sister"3rd Rock from the SunKateEpisode: "Green-Eyed Dick"Shattered MindTelevision filmTwilight ManKathy RobbinsTelevision filmZelda RileyEpisode: "Murder in Mind"Monique BrackleyEpisode: "Deep Water"SlidersDr. Olivia LujanEpisode: "The Dream Masters"Touched by an AngelFranEpisode: "The Homecoming: Part 1"1996–1997Almost PerfectAllisonEpisode: "Shelf Doubt", "K.I.S.S.", "The Laws"1997SheilaEpisode: "Trial and Error"1999Pensacola: Wings of GoldJoy DalyEpisode: "Lost"2000Murder at the Cannes Film FestivalKaki LambTelevision film2001–2002Three SistersBess Bernstein-Flynn KeatsSeries regular, 33 episodes2002ERJanet WilcoEpisode: "Walk Like a Man"NYPD BlueMichelle McDowell ColohanEpisodes: "One in the Nuts", "Meat Me in the Park", "Death by Cycle"2002–2003Kim McPhersonRecurring role, 4 episodes2003Greetings from TucsonLucyEpisode: "A Brand New Car"CSI: Crime Scene InvestigationGingerEpisode: "Precious Metal"Episodes: "Hearts & Minds", "Acts of Betrayal"Miss MatchAmy JensenRecurring role, 4 episodes2003–2005Judging AmyAtty. Yvonne DunbarRecurring role, 9 episodes2004TriciaTV pilot2005CSI: MiamiCarla MarshallEpisode: "Cop Killer"Grey's AnatomyVera KalpanaEpisode: "Deny, Deny, Deny"2006–2011Two and a Half MenLydiaRecurring role, 4 episodes2006Love MonkeyKaren FreedSeries regular, 8 episodesPepper DennisNadia VadinavaEpisode: "True Love Is Dead: Film at Eleven"2006–2007JusticeSuzanne FulcrumRecurring role, 6 episodes2006–200812 Miles of Bad RoadJuliet ShakespeareSeries regular, 6 episodes2007Boston LegalPat OntarioEpisode: "Tea and Sympathy"2008Ghost WhispererBettyEpisode: "Save Our Souls"2009Cold CaseLeigh Feldman / FosterEpisode: "Witness Protection"Burn NoticeShannon ParkEpisode: "Signals and Codes"HouseMelissaEpisode: "Wilson"2009–2011Big LoveBeverly FordRecurring role, 5 episodes2010JustifiedCaryn CarnesEpisode: "The Collection"Make It or Break ItLeslieEpisode: "If Only..."Lie to MeLaura CrossEpisode: "The Royal We"2010–2011Linda ColeEpisodes: "Nevada v. Dennis" and "Nevada v. Donnie the Numbers Guy"2011NormalSusanTV pilot2012–2013LongmireLizzie AmbroseRecurring role, 6 episodes2013DeceptionSophia BowersSeries regular, 11 episodes2014The Night ShiftDr. Flannery MillsEpisode: "Second Chances"2014–2015SatisfactionAdrianaSeries regular, 20 episodes 2016Devious MaidsShannon GreeneRecurring role, season 4, 4 episodes2017–2018 ImpostersSally Series regular, 14 episodes2018American WomanLori MeltznerEpisode: "The Party" DynastyAda StoneRecurring role, 6 episodes 2019 Future ManAthena / Dr. HogeveenRecurring role, 5 episodes 2019–2023Truth Be ToldNoa HavillandRecurring role, 19 episodes 2020Katy KeeneGloria GrandbiltSeries regular, 10 episodes2025–presentThe PittNurse Dana EvansSeries regular, 30 episodes 2025Daredevil: Born AgainArtemis Sledge4 episodes 2026The SimpsonsNurse (voice)Episode: “Irrational Treasure” Tracy Recurring role
Accolades AwardYearCategoryNominated workResultRef.Actor Awards2026Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama SeriesThe PittCritics' Choice Awards2026Best Supporting Actress in a Drama SeriesDorian Awards2025Best Supporting TV Performance2026Best Supporting TV Performance – DramaGotham TV Awards2025Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Drama SeriesPrimetime Emmy Awards2025Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series2026TCA Awards2026Individual Achievement in Drama
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