Kristine Sutherland (born Kristine Young; April 17, 1955) is an American actress best known for her starring role as Buffy Summers' mother Joyce Summers on the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, where she appeared in every season (1997–2003), and her role as Mae Thompson in Honey, I Shrunk the Kids (1989).

[2] She attended high school in Lexington, Kentucky, where she participated in the Tates Creek Drama program.

[3] Creator Joss Whedon later stated that one of the reasons he chose Sutherland for the role was that she exuded a warm demeanor, as well as what he believed to be a close resemblance to actress Sarah Michelle Gellar, who was to portray her daughter in the series.

After leaving Buffy, Sutherland attended a photography course at the Santa Monica College and subsequently set up a studio specializing in portraits.

In 2008, she appeared in the television miniseries Comanche Moon and had a guest role in an episode of New Amsterdam.