Kate Noelle Holmes is born in Toledo, Ohio, the youngest of five children to Kathleen A. (née Stothers), a homemaker and philanthropist, and Martin Joseph Holmes Sr., an attorney specializing in divorce law.

Holmes attends an International Modeling and Talent Association (IMTA) competition in New York City, where she is discovered and begins receiving offers from agents.

Holmes auditions for the role of Buffy Summers in 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer', but doesn't get the part. However, this leads to her first film role in Ang Lee's 'The Ice Storm'.

Holmes stars in the thriller 'Disturbing Behavior'. She is also cast as Joey Potter in the teen drama 'Dawson's Creek', a role that would catapult her to fame.