Karen Tarleton's work encompasses film, television, theater, voice-over and singing, in both the U.S. and Great Britain.

Karen was born and raised in the Allegheny Mountains of northwestern Pennsylvania, part of a large musical and artistic family. She set out for Los Angeles in the early 1970s and spent the next several years as a production assistant and script supervisor on game shows, TV specials and variety shows in L.A., Nashville and Las Vegas. Having gained a great deal of experience behind the camera, Karen transitioned to the front of the camera, and in 1980 landed a recurring role on General Hospital, followed by a recurring role on The Young and the Restless, then on to a full TV, film and theater career. She was a long-time member of the West Coast Ensemble theater group, and has performed in many regional and Southern California venues, in both classical and contemporary shows. She moved to England, became a member of British Equity, and worked for three years in England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales. Back in the States she has continued steady work as a versatile journeyman actress in film, TV, theater, commercials, voice-overs and singing (both secular and liturgical).

She is also an educator, having taught for many years at Loyola Marymount University in Theater Arts, and at Jeff Alan Lee's Young Actors Studio.

Karen has been a member of SAG-AFTRA and Actors Equity Association since 1980. She has been a member of the Los Angeles Classical Theatre Lab and the Writers and Actors Lab for over 30 years.