Who Was Kathleen Dolan: The Set Decorator’s Blue Bloods Tribute Explained
Who Was Kathleen Dolan: The Set Decorator’s Blue Bloods Tribute Explained
Kathleen Dolan was a set decorator on Blue Bloods, and she has an entire episode dedicated to her in season 6. Blue Bloods ends its run after 14 seasons and throughout the long-running police procedural, a huge ensemble of characters has appeared. They are supported by an even larger team of below-the-line crew members who, though may only be recognized by hardcore fans who stick around for the credits, are critical to the success of the series. In season 6, episode 16, “Help Me Help You”, a dedication card to Kathleen Dolan appears in the credits.
In the episode, both Erin (Bridget Moynahan) and Linda (Amy Carlson) are forced to deal with boorish men. For Erin, this comes in the form of an old mentor who begins bullying her from the bench when she presents during a case. For Linda, it’s a coworker’s jealous ex who is becoming increasingly brazen and aggressive in his attempts to stop her from getting married. While all this is happening, Frank (Tom Selleck) is having a relatively innocuous tiff with a councilwoman over a minor policy. Then the episode closes out with a sobering message.
Kathleen Dolan Was A Set Decorator For 14 Episodes Of Blue Bloods
Dolan’s Work Can Be Seen In Season 5 Of The Show
Before the credits role in season 6, episode 16, a dedication placard comes up that reads, “In Loving Memory of Our Friend Kathleen Dolan“. Dolan was a set decorator on Blue Bloods who worked on 14 episodes of the series, all in season 5 (2014-2015). Season 5 of Blue Bloods is 22 episodes long, so chances are, when a viewer is watching that season, they’re looking at Dolan’s set decoration. Dolan, who was legally named Kathleen Dolan-Giorgini but generally credited as Kathleen Dolan, was born on August 10, 1960, in Hackensack, New Jersey (via Legacy).
| Kathleen Dolan’s First And Last Blue Bloods Episodes | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Episode | Title | Air Date |
| 5 | 1 | Partners | Sep 26, 2014 |
| 5 | 14 | The Poor Door | Feb 6, 2015
|
Sadly, after a long battle with cancer, Dolan passed away on February 9, 2016, in her hometown of Norwood, NJ, at age 55. She left behind a partner, James Nugent, and her two daughters, Kayley Rose and Sophia Marie Giorgini, as well as many loving family members. As a set decorator in film and television, Dolan belonged to the union chapter Local 52 IATSE (International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees) NYC, a fact important enough to her that it appears in her obituary.
The comment wall on her obituary is filled with loving messages from friends, family, and strangers who learned of her passing after the episode. One viewer, “Shane Wiley,” wrote,
“Saw the Blue Bloods episode at the end they gave tribute to Kathleen, I know she will be missed by her family and her Blue Bloods family. She I [sic] was one of many who have made Blue Bloods the best CBS show on TV. You will, be missed.”
Dolan Worked In The Art Department For New York Movies Like Frankie & Johnny And Jacob’s Ladder
Dolan Had First Hand Knowledge Of NYC And Design Her Sets Accordingly
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Besides Blue Bloods, Dolan had a long and impressive career working in set decoration and the props department of many notable TV shows and movies since 1986. As a set decorator, Dolan was responsible for decorating the walls, floors, vehicles, and furniture on set (via ScreenSkills). As prop master, she was in charge of deciding on, and sometimes creating the objects an actor would hold. Both positions fall under the art department, overseen by a production designer, someone like movie legend Jack Fisk, who works with the director to figure out the vision of a movie or show.
| Kathleen Dolan’s Notable Projects | ||
|---|---|---|
| Title (Movie/TV) | Year | Role |
| Married to the Mob | 1988 | Assistant Props |
| Nick & Hillary | 1988-1989 | Set Decorator |
| Jacob’s Ladder | 1990 | Set Decorator |
| Hudson Hawk | 1991 | Set Decorator |
| Frankie and Johnny | 1991 | Set Decorator |
| Serendipity | 2001 | Set Dresser |
| Whatever Works | 2009 | Assistant Property Master |
| Blue Bloods | 2014-2015 | Set Decorator |
Many of her sets and props were designed for New York City-based productions, and she had a knack for capturing the chaotic but beautiful look of the apartments, cars, and restaurants there.
Dolan’s work can be seen in films like Hudson Hawk, Frankie and Johnny, Serendipity, Whatever Works, and Jacob’s Ladder. In television, she worked on Nick & Hillary and Leg Work. Many of her sets and props were designed for New York City-based productions, and she had a knack for capturing the chaotic but beautiful look of the apartments, cars, and restaurants there. A native of North Jersey, Kathleen Dolan likely had first-hand experience with the city and used her intimate knowledge of The Big Apple to create sets viewers could get lost in, in Blue Bloods and beyond.
