A Hollywood actress who once starred opposite Patrick Swayze in a cult-favorite 1980s film was recently spotted during a rare outing in Los Angeles. The 61-year-old performer launched her career in the early ’80s and went on to appear in movies such as Murphy’s Law and Witchboard, later transitioning to numerous television roles including The Jeffersons, Twin Peaks, L.A. Law, ER, and Gilmore Girls. Over the years, she has also worked alongside notable names like Charles Bronson, Jane Fonda, Robert De Niro, Brooke Shields, and Timothy Dalton. In addition to acting, she has pursued music, even contributing songs to projects she appeared in.
The actress is Kathleen Wilhoite, who played Carrie Ann in the 1989 cult classic Road House opposite Swayze. She was seen last Friday taking a relaxed stroll through a quiet Los Angeles neighborhood with her dog. Wilhoite kept her look casual, wearing navy leggings, a short-sleeved printed black top, and comfortable sneakers, while pulling her blonde hair into a simple ponytail and finishing the outfit with dark sunglasses.
Born in Santa Barbara in 1964, Wilhoite began acting in the early ’80s, landing her first film credit in Private School (1983). She later starred opposite Charles Bronson in Murphy’s Law, an experience she once described fondly, calling the actor smart, funny, and kind, while noting she maintained a respectful distance. She continued building her résumé with roles in The Morning After alongside Jane Fonda and Jeff Bridges, Angel Heart with Robert De Niro, and Brenda Starr featuring Timothy Dalton and Brooke Shields.
Her role in Road House in 1989 helped cement her cult status, and she went on to appear throughout the ’90s in series such as Cop Rock, Twin Peaks, Ally McBeal, and L.A. Law. She also voiced Pepper Ann in the animated series Pepper Ann from 1997 to 2000 and played Chloe Lewis in ER. Many fans also recognize her as Liz Danes, Luke’s sister, on Gilmore Girls. Wilhoite later appeared in Grey’s Anatomy, Criminal Minds, The Mentalist, Jane the Virgin, and Yellowstone, among others.
Most recently, she appeared in the 2025 Hulu miniseries Murdaugh: Death In The Family, and she is also set to appear in the upcoming MGM+ series Bosch: Start Of Watch. Alongside acting, Wilhoite has continued her music career, releasing albums including Pitch Like A Girl and Shiva, and describing songwriting as a deeply personal outlet compared to performing scripted roles.
