Scott was born in Robbinsdale, Minnesota, of Norwegian descent.
Scott grew up on a farm in Robbinsdale, Minnesota, the daughter of Ole Kringstad, a Norwegian immigrant, and Hilda Karlsgodt Kringstad, of Norwegian descent. She attended Northwestern University in their summer "cherub" program while in high school. In 1962 she moved to New York to study at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts on a scholarship while working as a Playboy Bunny in the original New York Playboy Club at 59th and Fifth Avenue. Upon graduation from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Kathryn landed the ingénue lead in the classic Gothic daytime drama Dark Shadows (ABC, 1966-1971), and starred in the 1970 MGM feature House of Dark Shadows in 1970. Kathryn played four roles in the series: Maggie Evans, Josette du Pres, Lady Kitty Hampshire and Rachel Drummond.
In 1971, she moved to Paris, France, with her fiance, Time/Life photojournalist Ben Martin. In Paris, Kathryn played twins in the French language film L'alfomega. After marrying later that year in Vikebukt, Norway, she and her husband moved to London, England, where she continued working as an actress. She appeared in several television films including Crime of Passion, Harriet's Back In Town, The Turn of the Screw, Marked Personal, Come Die With Me, Dial M For Murder, Space: 1999, and the miniseries Late Call, Edward The King, and The Exiles. Scott also appeared in the 1980 British television series Hammer House of Horror episode, "Visitor From The Grave." She also appeared in the feature films Brannigan with John Wayne; Providence with Dirk Bogarde, directed by Alain Resnais; The Great Gatsby, with Robert Redford and Mia Farrow, directed by Jack Clayton; and The Greek Tycoon with Anthony Quinn and Jacqueline Bisset. In 1974, she played Nurse Kelly in a six-month run of Harvey with James Stewart, directed by Sir Anthony Quayle, at the Prince of Wales Theatre, London. The following year she was in a new play, Le Weekend, at the Bristol Old Vic, Bristol, England.

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