JoBeth Williams
Born: 1948-12-06 in Houston, Texas, USA
Known For: Acting
Biography
Margaret JoBeth Williams (born December 6, 1948) is an Academy Award, Golden Globe, and Emmy nominated American film and television actress and director, and current President of the Screen Actors Guild Foundation. Williams rose to prominence appearing in such films as Stir Crazy (1980), Poltergeist (1982), The Big Chill (1983), The Day After (1983), Teachers (1984), and Poltergeist II: The Other Side (1986). A three-time Emmy Award nominee, she was nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie for her work in the TV movie Adam (1983) and the TV miniseries Baby M (1988). Her third nomination was for her guest role in the sitcom Frasier (1994). Her directorial debut with the 1994 short film On Hope earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Live Action Short Film. She also starred in the TV series The Client (1995–96), and had recurring roles in the TV series Dexter (2007) and Private Practice (2009–11). In 2009 she began serving as president of the Screen Actors Guild Foundation; she is President Emeritus of the foundation. She has also had numerous guest starring roles on TV and has starred in several TV movies.
Filmography
2026
- She Was Here as Self
2025
- Not Without Hope as Marcia
- SEGAL as Self
2024
- Cash for Gold as Boots
2023
- Chantilly Bridge as Natalie
2020
- Josh Gates Tonight as Self
- What the Night Can Do as Bettye Sue Dryer
2019
- SGT. Will Gardner as Sherry
2018
- Station 19 as Reggie
- A Million Little Things as Lana Strobe
- Alex & the List as Mrs. Stern
2017
- The Good Doctor as Ruth
- Barracuda as Patricia
2016
- Heartbeat as Isobel Dixon
- Within as Rosemary Fletcher
- The Last Film Festival as Mayor
2015
- Your Family or Mine as Ricky
- In My Dreams as Charlotte Smith
2012
- Scandal as Sandra Harding
- Perception as Margaret Pierce
2011
- Hart of Dixie as Candice Hart
- Against the Wall as Emily
- The Big Year as Edith
- Love's Christmas Journey as Beatrice
2010
- Rizzoli & Isles as Tilly Dunn
- Law & Order: LA as Mrs. Walker
2008
- Childrens Hospital as Linda
2007
- Private Practice as Bizzy Forbes
- In the Land of Women as Agnes Webb
- Sybil as Hattie Dorsett
2006
- Dexter as Gail Brandon
- The Nine
- Twenty Good Years as Kate
2005
- Criminal Minds as Professor Ursula Kent
- Numb3rs as Margaret Eppes
- Fever Pitch as Maureen Meeks
- Crazylove as Mrs. Mayer
- Into the Fire as June Sickles
- 14 Hours as Jeanette Makins
2003
- NCIS as Leona Phelps
- Las Vegas as Liz
- Miss Match as Lianne Fox
2002
- Searching for Debra Winger as Self
- The Curse of Poltergeist
- The Rose Technique as Dr. Lillian Rose
- Repossessed
2001
- 24 as Miriam Henderson
- The Guardian as Sarah
- Night Visions ... (Director)
- The Ponder Heart as Edna Earle Ponder
2000
- Strong Medicine as Margie
- Trapped in a Purple Haze as Sophie Hanson
- Frankie & Hazel ... (Director)
1999
- Law & Order: Special Victims Unit as Mrs. Rawley
- Judging Amy as Gemma Lawnsdale
- Payne as Constance Payne
- Jackie's Back! as Jo Face (Jackie's Vocal Coach)
- Justice as Jane Newhart
- The Big Chill: A Reunion as Self
- It Came from the Sky as Alice Bridges
1998
- From the Earth to the Moon as Marge Slayton
- A Chance of Snow as Madeline 'Maddie' Parker
1997
- Jungle 2 Jungle as Dr. Patricia Cromwell
- Just Write as Sidney Stone
- When Danger Follows You Home as Anne Werden
1996
- E! True Hollywood Story
- After the SIlence as Pam Willis (as Jobeth Williams)
- Ruby Jean and Joe as Rose
1995
- The Client as Reggie Love
- A Season of Hope as Elizabeth Hackett
1994
- Wyatt Earp as Bessie Earp
- Parallel Lives as Winnie Winslow
- Voices from Within as Nancy Parkhurst
- On Hope ... (Director)
1993
- Frasier as Danielle (voice)
- Chantilly Lace as Natalie
- Sex, Love and Cold Hard Cash as Sarah Gallagher
- Final Appeal as Christine Biondi
1992
- Batman: The Animated Series as May and June (voice)
- Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot as Lt. Gwen Harper
- Fish Police as Angel (voice)
- Me, Myself and I as Crazy / Sane Diane
- Commercial Entertainment Product as Diane Freeling
- Jonathan: The Boy Nobody Wanted as Ginny Moore
1991
- Switch as Margo Brofman
- Dutch as Natalie Standish
- Bump in the Night ... (Co-Executive Producer)
- Victim of Love as Tess Harper
1990
- Child in the Night as Dr. Hollis
- Timeless Tales: The Elves and the Shoemaker as Bettina (voice)
1989
- My Name Is Bill W. as Lois Wilson
- Welcome Home as Sarah
1988
- Memories of Me as Lisa
- Baby M as Marybeth Whitehead
1987
- Murder Ordained as Lorna Anderson
- Murder Ordained as Lorna Anderson
1986
- Poltergeist II: The Other Side as Diane Freeling
- Adam: His Song Continues as Reve Walsh
- Desert Bloom as Lily Chismore
1985
- Kids Don't Tell as Claudia Ryan
1984
- Teachers as Lisa Hammond
- American Dreamer as Cathy Palmer
1983
- The Day After as Nurse Nancy Bauer
- The Big Chill as Karen Bowens
- Adam as Reve Walsh
1982
- Poltergeist as Diane Freeling
- Endangered Species as Harriet Purdue
1981
- Joe Dancer: The Big Black Pill as Tiffany Farinpour
1980
- The Dogs of War as Jessie
- Stir Crazy as Meredith
- Fun and Games as Laura Weston
1979
- Kramer vs. Kramer as Phyllis Bernard
1978
- The White Shadow as Paula Harris
- The World Beyond as Marian Faber
1974
- Feasting with Panthers as Constance Wilde
1962
1951
- Hallmark Hall of Fame as Lois Wilson