Katheryn Winnick
Katheryn Winnick (born December 17, 1977[1][2]) is a Canadian actress. She is known for her starring roles in the television series Vikings (2013–2020), Wu Assassins (2019), and Big Sky (2020–2023), and her recurring role on the television series Bones (2010–2011). She also starred in the films Amusement (2008), Choose (2010), A Glimpse Inside the Mind of Charles Swan III (2012), The Art of the Steal (2013), Polar (2019), and The Marksman (2021).
Katheryn Winnick
Early life[edit]
Winnick was born in Etobicoke, Ontario, and is of Ukrainian descent. She spoke Ukrainian as her first language and did not begin speaking English until she was eight years old.[3][4] She began training in martial arts at age seven, and obtained her first black belt at 13.[5] By age 21, she had started three Taekwondo schools.[5] She taught Taekwondo and self-defense to actors while completing her degree in kinesiology at York University, Toronto.[6] Winnick studied at and is an alumna of the William Esper Studio.[7]
Winnick started acting as a young girl at her community centre in Toronto. She had directed plays in her high school and won a scholarship for drama and directing while attending Richview Collegiate Institute.[8]
Personal life[edit]
Winnick stated she is "an American citizen as well as a Canadian" citizen.[16]
In March 2022, Winnick, together with her mother, created the charity "The Winnick Foundation" to raise funds for the needs of Ukraine.[17][18] In November 2022, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs banned Winnick from entering Russia, as well as 99 other Canadians, in response to international sanctions.[19]