Koo Stark – Biography, Career and Relationship with Prince Andrew

Koo Stark is an American actress and photographer who gained public attention in the 1970s and 1980s for her film roles and her relationship with Prince Andrew. Born in New York City in 1956, she later transitioned from acting to a career in fine art photography, becoming a respected figure in that field. Her life reflects a deliberate move away from the celebrity spotlight, though her past continues to generate periodic public interest, particularly in connection with renewed scrutiny of the British royal family.

Stark’s professional identity is divided between two distinct chapters. In the 1970s and 1980s, she appeared in several films, including cult and erotic titles. From the 1990s onward, she built a reputation as a fine art photographer, exhibiting internationally and earning recognition in photography publications.

Who is Koo Stark? Background and Biography

Key Insights

• Koo Stark is primarily identified by the public for her past relationship with Prince Andrew, yet her professional identity is split between acting (1970s–1980s) and a later career as a fine art photographer (1990s–present).
• She transitioned from acting to photography in the 1990s, and has exhibited internationally, gaining recognition in Leica and photography media.
• Despite being out of the public eye for decades, the resurgence of interest in Prince Andrew’s past has led to renewed search queries about Stark.
• Her official site (koostark.art) is a key source for understanding her current work, but lacks biographical context that regular users seek.

Stark’s full name is reported in sources as Kathleen Norris Stark, though some records also list Kathleen Dee-Anne Stark. She was born in New York City to parents with show-business backgrounds. Her father, Wilbur Stark, worked as a film producer, and her mother, Kathi Norris, was a television presenter. She received a private education and attended stage school in London.

Koo Stark’s Career: Acting and Filmography

Stark’s acting career began in the early 1970s. Her first credited role came in the 1974 film All I Want Is You… and You… and You…. The following year, she appeared in an uncredited role in The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975), a film that later became a cult classic. She went on to secure roles in Emily (1976) and Marquis de Sade’s Justine (1977).

In the 1980s, Stark appeared in Electric Dreams (1984) and Eat the Rich (1987). Film databases consistently list these titles as key entries in her filmography. Her acting work included appearances in both British and American productions.

Is Koo Stark still acting?

There is no evidence in available sources that Koo Stark has taken on acting roles since 1990. Her professional focus shifted entirely to photography during the 1990s, and she has not been credited with any film or television appearances since that time.

The Relationship Between Koo Stark and Prince Andrew

The relationship between Koo Stark and Prince Andrew is the aspect of her life that has drawn the most sustained media attention. According to multiple sources, they met in February 1981 and were involved for approximately 18 months to two years. During this period, Stark reportedly met members of the royal family at Balmoral, and some accounts suggest that marriage was being considered.

Reports indicate that the relationship ended amid heavy press scrutiny. Nude or topless images from Stark’s earlier film work, as well as her appearances in soft-porn and erotic films, became public. The press coverage placed significant pressure on both individuals. One source states that the pair were reportedly set to marry after she met his family, but the relationship collapsed before that could happen.

How old was Koo Stark when she dated Prince Andrew?

Koo Stark was born in April 1956, making her approximately 24 years old when she met Prince Andrew in early 1981. Prince Andrew was born in February 1960, making him about 21 at the time.

Koo Stark’s Life as a Photographer and Artist

After leaving acting, Stark built a career as a freelance photographer. Her work focuses on still life and yoga-themed subjects. She has exhibited internationally and has been featured in photography magazines including Leica and Amateur Photographer. She maintains an official website at koostark.art, which serves as a portfolio of her current work.

Stark is listed as a patron of the Julia Margaret Cameron Trust at Dimbola Lodge on the Isle of Wight. This connection reflects her engagement with photography heritage and her standing within the photography community.

Koo Stark Today: Personal Life and Current Work

Koo Stark’s personal life has remained relatively private in recent years. She was married to art gallery manager and collector Tim Jefferies from approximately 1986 to 1990, after which the marriage ended in divorce. Some sources mention a daughter named Tatiana with banker Warren Walker, and that Prince Andrew is Tatiana’s godfather, though these details are not present in all biographical accounts.

Stark is described in several sources as a practising Buddhist, reportedly after meeting the Dalai Lama. She has been associated with the Chelsea Arts Club in London. The most recent reports indicate that she continues to live in London and remains a member of the club. One source from 2024 describes her as single at that time.

What is Koo Stark doing now?

Koo Stark continues to work as a photographer. She maintains her online gallery and remains connected to the photography community through her patronage of the Julia Margaret Cameron Trust. She has not made any public acting appearances in recent years.

Koo Stark: Life and Career Timeline

1. 1956 – Born in New York City.
2. 1974 – Begins acting career.
3. 1977 – Stars in Marquis de Sade’s Justine.
4. Early 1980s – Relationship with Prince Andrew attracts media attention.
5. 1984 – Appears in Electric Dreams.
6. 1986 – Marries; relationship with Prince Andrew ends.
7. 1990 – Divorces; transitions to fine art photography.
8. 1994 – Becomes patron of the Julia Margaret Cameron Museum (Dimbola).
9. 2000s–2020s – Develops photography career; exhibited internationally; featured on Leica and Amateur Photographer.
10. 2025 – Remains active as a photographer; maintains online gallery.

What Is Certain and What Remains Unclear About Koo Stark

Understanding Koo Stark in Context

Koo Stark’s life illustrates a pattern of a public figure who moved away from celebrity culture into a private artistic career, yet remains periodically in the spotlight due to past royal connections. The renewed search interest in 2025 is likely tied to ongoing discussions about Prince Andrew’s public image and historical relationships.

Her art photography, particularly her still life and yoga-themed work, has been recognized in niche photography publications, which provides an additional layer to her identity beyond the tabloid narrative. Understanding Stark requires acknowledging her professional duality: she is both a former actress from a specific era of British and American cinema and a respected fine art photographer with institutional patronage.

Sources and Credibility

The following sources have been used in compiling this article. Each offers a different perspective and level of reliability.

“Koo Stark was an American-born actress who became a photographer, and was best known to the public as the girlfriend of Prince Andrew.”

– Wikipedia entry for Koo Stark

“She subsequently began a relationship with Prince Andrew, the Queen’s second son, and was widely tipped to become his wife before press coverage of her past acting roles ended the romance.”

– The Telegraph, 2011

“She is a patron of the Julia Margaret Cameron Trust at Dimbola Lodge.”

– Wikipedia entry for Koo Stark

Summary: Who Is Koo Stark?

Koo Stark is an American-born actress and photographer whose public profile was shaped by her film work in the 1970s and 1980s and her relationship with Prince Andrew in the early 1980s. She transitioned to a career in fine art photography in the 1990s and has remained active in that field, exhibiting internationally and maintaining a professional website. She continues to live in London and is a patron of the Julia Margaret Cameron Trust. For further context on her most famous relationship, see Prince Andrew – Scandal, Biography, and Where He Is Now in 2025. For a connection to her film career, see John Hurt – Cause of Death, Biography, and Most Famous Movies.

Frequently Asked Questions About Koo Stark