An emotionally insecure actress, she fought emotional problems and panic attacks throughout her life.
At the age of 14 she broke both her ankles and a knee in a fall and missed a year of school. She never returned, instead taking drama classes at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto at age 16.
Born with deformed feet, she had corrective surgery at the age of 8.
Had two children with actor Austin Willis.
Her memorial service at St. Clement's Church in New York drew a crowd that included playwright Edward Albee (in whose "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf" Kate had appeared), John Guare, and Elizabeth Wilson, Marian Seldes, Rosemary Murphy and Carrie Nye. Speakers included Zoe Caldwell, Robert Whitehead and Len Cariou.
One of the most acclaimed stage actresses of her day, Kate Reid had success in New York, London, and at her beloved Stratford Festival in Stratford, Ontario, Canada. Her work in New York earned her two Tony nominations: as Best Featured Actress opposite Alec Guinness in "Dylan" (1964), and as Best Actress in Tennessee Williams' "Slapstick Tragedy" (1966), in which she starred opposite Margaret Leighton, Zoe Caldwell and Jon Voight.
She has received an honorary doctorate and was awarded an O.C. (Officer of the of the Order of Canada) on December 18, 1974 for her services to drama.
She was awarded the 1979 Joseph Jefferson Award for Guest Artist for her performance in the play, "Bosoms and Neglect", at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago, Illinois.
She was married and divorced twice and had 2 children.