Karen Abercrombie

Karen Abercrombie and her husband were foster parents, and she has a son.

Abercrombie has described faith as a major influence on her life and career. She said she gave her life to Christ at age seven, drifted away during her teenage years, and renewed her faith in her twenties. Her Aunt Vine, whom she described as deeply committed to her faith, was an important influence during her childhood.

After high school and during college, Abercrombie began treating acting as a professional pursuit. She spent significant time trying to establish herself in the entertainment industry while maintaining principles connected to her faith.

Abercrombie's breakthrough role came in War Room, in which she played Miss Clara, an 80-year-old prayer warrior. She was considerably younger than the character and approached the part by developing a performance distinct from her own age and personality. The role earned her a Dove Award and a Movieguide Grace Award.

She later starred as Grace Wyatt in Discarded Things, a film she co-wrote and produced through her production company, Earth Mother Entertainment. The character is a woman whose painful past and personal tragedies contribute to a crisis, with the story emphasizing forgiveness, healing, and grace.

Her screen credits also include Grandma Quill in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, Harriet Tubman in Carry Me Home: A Remember America Film, and Miss Clara Williams in The Forge. She has appeared in television productions including TURN: Washington's Spies, The Vampire Diaries, Judging Amy, Ally McBeal, and Strong Medicine.

In addition to acting, Abercrombie has developed credits as a producer and writer. Her producing work includes Heaven Sent, Angels Unaware, An Angelic Christmas, Eleanor's Bench, and Discarded Things. She also wrote Heaven Sent, Angels Unaware, Discarded Things, and the television short Story Quilt Adventures with Nana Kay.

She founded the nonprofit The Village is Alive, which makes creative arts available to children and adults in underserved communities. She also formed the production company Isanaklesh Entertainment and has performed on stage, including in the Off-Broadway production Ciao Bella.