JoBeth Williams
Born
December 6, 1948 (76 years old)
Known For
Acting
Place of Birth
Houston, Texas, USA
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.
Known For
Not Without Hope
2025
Cash for Gold
Boots
2024
Chantilly Bridge
Natalie
2023
1982: Greatest Geek Year Ever!
Self
2022
What the Night Can Do
Bettye Sue Dryer
2020
Josh Gates Tonight
Self · (1 episode)
2020
SGT. Will Gardner
Sherry
2019
A Million Little Things
Lana Strobe · (2 episodes)
2018
Alex & the List
Mrs. Stern
2018
Station 19
Reggie · (2 episodes)
2018
The Good Doctor
Ruth · (1 episode)
2017
Barracuda
Patricia
2017
Within
Rosemary Fletcher
2016
The Last Film Festival
Mayor
2016
Heartbeat
Isobel Dixon · (1 episode)
2016
In My Dreams
Charlotte Smith
2015
Your Family or Mine
Ricky · (10 episodes)
2015
Marry Me
Myrna · (2 episodes)
2014
Extant
Leigh Kern · (2 episodes)
2014
Perception
Margaret Pierce · (2 episodes)
2012
Scandal
Sandra Harding · (1 episode)
2012
Love's Christmas Journey
Beatrice
2011
The Big Year
Edith
2011
Hart of Dixie
Candice Hart · (7 episodes)
2011
Against the Wall
Emily · (1 episode)
2011
Law & Order: LA
Mrs. Walker · (1 episode)
2010
Rizzoli & Isles
Tilly Dunn · (1 episode)
2010
Uncorked
Sophia Browning
2009
TiMER
Marion
2009
Childrens Hospital
Linda · (1 episode)
2008
Private Practice
Bizzy Forbes · (6 episodes)
2007
Sybil
Hattie Dorsett
2007
In the Land of Women
Agnes Webb
2007
The Nine
(1 episode)
2006
Dexter
Gail Brandon · (4 episodes)
2006
14 Hours
Jeanette Makins
2005
Crazylove
Mrs. Mayer
2005
Into the Fire
June Sickles
2005
Criminal Minds
Professor Ursula Kent · (1 episode)
2005
Fever Pitch
Maureen Meeks
2005
Numb3rs
(1 episode)
2005
Miss Match
Lianne Fox · (3 episodes)
2003
NCIS
Leona Phelps · (1 episode)
2003
Las Vegas
(1 episode)
2003
The Curse of Poltergeist
2002
Searching for Debra Winger
Self
2002
The Rose Technique
Dr. Lillian Rose
2002
Repossessed
2002
24
Miriam Henderson · (1 episode)
2001
The Ponder Heart
Edna Earle Ponder
2001
The Guardian
Sarah · (1 episode)
2001
Strong Medicine
Margie · (1 episode)
2000
Trapped in a Purple Haze
Sophie Hanson
2000
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Mrs. Rawley · (1 episode)
1999
Judging Amy
Gemma Lawnsdale · (1 episode)
1999
Jackie's Back!
Jo Face (Jackie's Vocal Coach)
1999
It Came From the Sky
Alice Bridges
1999
Payne
Constance Payne · (9 episodes)
1999
The Big Chill: A Reunion
Self
1999
Justice
Jane Newhart
1999
A Chance of Snow
Madeline 'Maddie Parker
1998
From the Earth to the Moon
Marge Slayton · (1 episode)
1998
When Danger Follows You Home
Anne Werden
1997
Jungle 2 Jungle
Dr. Patricia Cromwell
1997
Just Write
Sidney Stone
1997
Breaking Through
Pam Willis (as Jobeth Williams)
1996
E! True Hollywood Story
(2 episodes)
1996
Ruby Jean and Joe
Rose
1996
The Client
Reggie Love · (21 episodes)
1995
A Season of Hope
Elizabeth Hackett
1995
Voices from Within
Nancy Parkhurst
1994
Parallel Lives
Winnie Winslow
1994
Wyatt Earp
Bessie Earp
1994
Final Appeal
Christine Biondi
1993
Frasier
Danielle (voice) · (1 episode)
1993
Chantilly Lace
Natalie
1993
Sex, Love and Cold Hard Cash
Sarah Gallagher
1993
Commercial Entertainment Product
Diane Freeling
1992
Jonathan: The Boy Nobody Wanted
Ginny Moore
1992
Batman: The Animated Series
May and June (voice) · (1 episode)
1992
Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot
Lt. Gwen Harper
1992
Me, Myself and I
Crazy / Sane Diane
1992
Dutch
Natalie Standish
1991
Switch
Margo Brofman
1991
Victim of Love
Tess Harper
1991
Child in the Night
Dr. Hollis
1990
Welcome Home
Sarah
1989
My Name Is Bill W.
Lois Wilson
1989
Memories of Me
Lisa
1988
Murder Ordained
Lorna Anderson
1987
Adam: His Song Continues
Reve Walsh
1986
Poltergeist II: The Other Side
Diane Freeling
1986
Desert Bloom
Lily Chismore
1986
Kids Don't Tell
Claudia Ryan
1985
American Dreamer
Cathy Palmer
1984
Teachers
Lisa Hammond
1984
The Day After
Nurse Nancy Bauer
1983
Adam
Reve Walsh
1983
The Big Chill
Karen Bowens
1983
Endangered Species
Harriet Purdue
1982
Poltergeist
Diane Freeling
1982
Joe Dancer: The Big Black Pill
Tiffany Farinpour
1981
The Dogs of War
Jessie
1980
Stir Crazy
Meredith
1980
Fun and Games
Laura Weston
1980
Kramer vs. Kramer
Phyllis Bernard
1979
The World Beyond
Marian Faber
1978
SEGAL
Self
Frasier
Madeline Marshall · (2 episodes)
1993
Fish Police
(6 episodes)
1992
Baby M
Marybeth Whitehead · (2 episodes)
1988
Murder Ordained
Lorna Anderson · (2 episodes)
1987
The White Shadow
Paula Harris · (1 episode)
1978
Feasting with Panthers
Constance Wilde
1974
Somerset
Carrie Wheeler · (283 episodes)
1970
Hallmark Hall of Fame
Lois Wilson · (1 episode)
1951