In her role of the scheming Ellen Tigh on the acclaimed Sci-Fi Channel series, “Battlestar: Galactica,” veteran character actress Kate Vernon provided a human touch as the burdened yet devoted wife of one of series’ most complex and ambiguous characters, Col. Tigh.

Born in 1961, the Canadian native was the daughter of actor John Vernon, best known for his portrayal of Dean Wormer in “Animal House” (1978), and Nancy West, a former actress/model. Her sister, Nan Vernon, was a singer. Her family later moved to California when Vernon was a little girl. The future actress originally planned to