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Born with Teeth

A Memoir

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Born with Teeth

Written by: Kate Mulgrew
Narrated by: Kate Mulgrew
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In this New York Times bestselling memoir about a woman who dares to live life to the fullest, on her own terms, meet the most inspiring and memorable character Kate Mulgrew ever portrayed: herself.

Raised by unconventional Irish Catholics who knew "how to drink, how to dance, how to talk, and how to stir up the devil," Kate Mulgrew grew up with poetry and drama in her bones. But in her mother, a would-be artist burdened by the endless arrival of new babies, young Kate saw the consequences of a dream deferred.

Determined to pursue her own no matter the cost, at 18 she left her small Midwestern town for New York, where, studying with the legendary Stella Adler, she learned the lesson that would define her as an actress: "Use it," Adler told her. Whatever disappointment, pain, or anger life throws in your path, channel it into the work.

It was a lesson she would need. At twenty-two, just as her career was taking off, she became pregnant and gave birth to a daughter. Having already signed the adoption papers, she was allowed only a fleeting glimpse of her child. As her star continued to rise, her life became increasingly demanding and fulfilling, a whirlwind of passionate love affairs, life-saving friendships, and bone-crunching work. Through it all, Mulgrew remained haunted by the loss of her daughter, until, two decades later, she found the courage to face the past and step into the most challenging role of her life, both on and off screen.

We know Kate Mulgrew for the strong women she's played—Captain Janeway on Star Trek; the tough-as-nails "Red" on Orange is the New Black. Now, we meet the most inspiring and memorable character of all: herself. By turns irreverent and soulful, laugh-out-loud funny and heart-piercingly sad, Born with Teeth is the breathtaking memoir of a woman who dares to live life to the fullest, on her own terms. Art & Literature Authors Entertainment & Celebrities Women Celebrity Memoir Funny Heartfelt Witty

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I love Kate Mulgrew. Ryans Hope, Voyager and OITNB. Never had the honour of seeing her on stage, but she's a great TV actress to me. The stories of her family, her life and how they intertwine are interesting yet.....even though this is HER story and read by Kate herself, I felt like she was disengaged from her own tales. Like she was again performing the story of another person. It didn't feel like she was connected and honoring her life with feeling for the characters in it (including herself) Maybe as a trained actress, she was performing...but I would have preferred a reading with more 'feels'.

Great autobio of a favorite actress and yet......

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Kate Mulgrew’s Born With Teeth is not just a memoir—it’s an experience. A force of nature wrapped in prose, it is raw, poetic, and deeply personal, pulling readers into the turbulence of her life with an honesty that is both breathtaking and, at times, brutal.

From the very first page, Mulgrew’s voice is distinct. She doesn’t just tell a story—she performs it. Her writing carries the same presence and intensity that she brings to her acting, weaving a narrative that is both deeply literary and profoundly human. She is unflinching in her recollections, refusing to soften the sharp edges of her past. Love, loss, ambition, and sacrifice—she lays it all bare with a fearless vulnerability that commands respect.

As a big sister, some parts of this book moved me to tears. Kate captures the raw, complicated beauty of family in a way that lingers long after the final page. And then there’s that chapter—the one that blindsides you, the one that leaves you breathless. She didn’t have to say it outright, but make no mistake—Kate Mulgrew’s words will emotionally wreck you. And she delivers.

I originally read this book in four days because I simply could not stop, and now, hearing her narrate it on Audible? It’s an entirely new experience. Her voice adds another layer of depth, sharpness, and wit—turning an already unforgettable memoir into something even more powerful.

This memoir is not for the faint of heart, but it is for those who appreciate storytelling in its most visceral, unfiltered form. It is for those who have loved fiercely, lost deeply, and clawed their way back to themselves. Mulgrew does not seek to make herself likable or perfect—she seeks only to tell the truth. And that truth, in all its beauty and pain, is what makes Born With Teeth a masterpiece.

10/10. Highly recommend, but proceed with caution—this book does not let go easily.

A Memoir That Grabs Hold and Doesn’t Let Go

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I did not know who Kate was before listening to her story. Really enjoyed getting to “know” her

Loved this memoir

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Kate Mulgrew reads her Memoir with the same dedication as she writes it - with passion and theatricality. It’s a great Book read by the author.

Captain Kate!

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Even as an emotional person, I don't think I have actually been moved to tears by a memoir before, but this one did it

Moving

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