Katherine Cunningham was born and raised in Elk Grove Village IL. As a child she joined her parents and siblings on stage, entertaining audiences in a variety of local theatrical productions. After studying acting and biology at Illinois State University she began an acting career in theatre. She has worked on various productions including but not limited to Picnic (Writers' Theatre), Honest (Steppenwolf Theatre), The Taming of the Shrew (Chicago Shakespeare Theatre) and the world premier Big Lake Big City (Lookingglass Theatre) written by Keith Huff, directed by David Schwimmer.

She made her television debut in "Detroit 1-8-7" (ABC) where she played a black jack dealing confidant to a womanizing police officer. Other television credits include guest spots on "Shameless" (Showtime), "The Playboy Club" (NBC), "The Mob Doctor" (FOX), "Underemployed" (MTV), "Chicago Fire" (NBC) and "Mind Games"(ABC)