Karen Lynn Gorney (born January 28, 1945) is an American actress, known for her roles on television and film.
Gorney was born in Beverly Hills, California. She is the daughter of 20th-century composer Jay Gorney, who wrote the music for what many consider the definitive song about America's Great Depression, Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?. She earned degrees from both Carnegie Mellon University and Brandeis University.
From 1970-1974 Karen played the role of Tara Martin on the soap opera All My Children. After she left the show Karen had agreed to return when her replacement, actress/writer Stephanie Braxton, decided to leave the show. She returned for the 1976-77 season but was eventually fired as Tara and did not return to the show until almost 20 years later. In 1977 Karen was offered the lead female role of Stephanie in the film Saturday Night Fever, alongside John Travolta, in which she was well-received.
After a lengthy hiatus, in the early 1990s, Gorney returned to acting appearing in small roles in such films as The Hard Way, Ripe and Rock The Cradle among others and even returning to All My Children during 1995 in cameo spots. She has, and continues to, film guest starting roles in a number of popular TV shows including Law And Order, The Sopranos and Six Degrees.
Currently Gorney is concentrating mostly on independent films and off-Broadway shows. Due to her connection with Disco music, via her popular role in Saturday Night Fever, she has been featured on a number of Disco documentaries and specials including Get Down Tonight: The Disco Explosion, where she co-hosted the show with Saturday Night Fever choreographer Deney Terrio for PBS. During the show Karen and Deney dance to Tavares hit single More Than a Woman as she did with co-star John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever back in 1977. She appeared on VH1's When Disco Ruled The World and was interviewed for the Disco video documentary Disco: Spinning the Story.
Karen appeared in the UK on ITV1's lunchtime programme 'Loose Women' (a topical debate programme from a female perspective) on 28th September 2007, helping to promote the 30th anniversary since the launch of the film 'Saturday Night Fever' and the Bee Gee's new 'Greatest Hits' album.
Gorney currently resides and has been a long time resident of New York City. Recently she appeared in the stage production 'Monsterface' at the Irish Rep Theater.
Along with her acting work, Gorney is a singer releasing three albums: 'Used to Love You Madly', 'Hot Moonlight!' and 'The Dance of the Deadly's'. Performing at various jazz clubs and cafes, her music is available through New York music stores, her website and through her convention appearances throughout NYC.
