Kathleen Dee-Anne Stark, better known as Koo Stark (born April 26, 1956), is an American film actress and photographer. She is perhaps best known for her relationship with Prince Andrew, son of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, before his marriage to Sarah, Duchess of York.
The daughter of the film producer Wilbur Stark and New York television presenter Cathi Norris, she was educated privately in Manhattan at Miss Hewitt's School for Young Ladies. She moved to London aged 16.
Her best known and most controversial performance was the lead role in the 1976 erotic film Emily, which includes a scene in a shower with Stark and another woman. The film's soundtrack included a title song written for the film by Rod McKuen, and was a late-night staple of early pay-cable channels such as HBO. She also played the part of Camie (sometimes spelled as “Cammie”) in the 1977 film Star Wars. She appeared in just two scenes, both of which were eventually cut in editing. The role of Rost in the Doctor Who serial "Attack of the Cybermen" was meant for her but she allegedly had a disagreement with the production team over her fee and was replaced by Sarah Berger.
She appeared in a 1989 episode of the cult sci-fi tv show Red Dwarf. In an alternate universe, Dave Lister is hugely successful, including being married to a gorgeous, titled wife, played by Stark.
After parting from Prince Andrew following his return from the Falklands War, she was married for some years to Tim Jefferies, sometime associated with the model Claudia Schiffer. She has one daughter, Tatiana (born March 12, 1997) by another relationship. Stark lives in London and has been a practicing Buddhist since 1994.
In 2002 she was diagnosed with breast cancer, resulting in an emergency mastectomy and a course of chemotherapy. In 2003, she underwent her second mastectomy. Due to her experience with cancer she has founded a cancer awareness agency, Keep Abreast.
The Montreal-based electro-pop band Koo Starck named themselves after a hybrid of Koo Stark and designer Philippe Starck, as they claimed their inspiration as "industrial design, soft porn, and royal scandal." Another Canadian band, Chixdiggit, has a song titled "Koo Stark" on its 2005 album, Pink Razors.
