Biography
Katherine Kelly Lang is one of three siblings from a show business family. Her parents are Olympic long-jump skier Keith Wegeman and actress Judy Lang, and her grandfather was Academy Award-winning cinematographer Charles Lang. Born and raised in Hollywood, California, Lang graduated from Beverly Hills High School, where she focused more on becoming a jockey or training for the Olympics than pursuing acting. She took only a few drama classes, but destiny led her into an acting career. It started on the set of Skatetown U.S.A. (1979), where the producers spotted Lang and cast her as Patrick Swayze's sister. She signed with an agent and soon landed roles on TV shows like Happy Days (1974), Magnum, P.I. (1980), and The Last Precinct (1986). A small role as Gretchen on The Young and the Restless (1973) in 1981 led to appearances in films such as The Night Stalker (1986) and Desperate Lives (1982). Lang is also known for featuring in several Beach Boys music videos that portray her as the quintessential modern California Girl.
In 1986, at age 26, Lang was cast as Brooke Logan, a working-class chemistry student who rises to wealth, on a soap opera in development. Unaware at the time, after the show premiered in 1987, she would become a global household name. Since the debut of The Bold and the Beautiful (1987), Lang has consistently held a prominent role. Her character’s romance with Ridge Forrester (originally played by Ronn Moss) has been a central storyline for over 25 years, with a decade-long love triangle involving Brooke, Ridge, and Taylor (Hunter Tylo). Her on-screen rivalry with Susan Flannery’s Stephanie Forrester became legendary. As of 2015, Lang remains one of only two original cast members still on the show. She also appeared on the sister show The Young and the Restless in 1999 and 2007 during crossover storylines.
A fan favorite for decades, Lang received her first Daytime Emmy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress in 2013. The following year, she earned another Emmy nomination, this time for Lead Actress. Due to The Bold and the Beautiful’s worldwide popularity, Lang is also sought after for modeling and commercials across Europe—often participating in Italian TV shows—and Australia. In her free time, Lang enjoys sports and outdoor activities. She owns several horses and competes in 25-mile and 50-mile cross-country races, as well as triathlons.
