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JoBeth Williams

Actor

JoBeth Williams

Born December 6, 1948 in Houston, Texas, USA72 films

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.

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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.

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The best way into JoBeth Williams's work
Kramer vs. Kramer posterFirst watchKramer vs. Kramer19797.6as Phyllis BernardTed Kramer is a career man for whom his work comes before his family. His wife Joanna cannot take this anymore, so she decides to leave him.View film

Essential films

Ranked by acclaim and reach
Poltergeist poster7.2Poltergeist1982Wyatt Earp poster6.8Wyatt Earp1994The Big Chill poster6.8The Big Chill1983The Day After poster6.8The Day After1983Fever Pitch poster6.2Fever Pitch2005The Big Year poster6.0The Big Year2011Stir Crazy poster6.5Stir Crazy1980Poltergeist II: The Other Side poster6.0Poltergeist II: The Other Side1986

Filmography

72 films as actor
  1. 2026Behemoth!
  2. 2025Not Without HopeMarcia
  3. 2024Cash for GoldBoots
  4. 2023Chantilly BridgeNatalie
  5. 2020What the Night Can DoBettye Sue Dryer
  6. 2019SGT. Will GardnerSherry
  7. 2018Alex & the ListMrs. Stern
  8. 2017BarracudaPatricia
  9. 2016WithinRosemary Fletcher
  10. 2016The Last Film FestivalMayor
  11. 2015In My DreamsCharlotte Smith
  12. 2011Love's Christmas JourneyBeatrice
  13. 2011The Big YearEdith
  14. 2009UncorkedSophia Browning
  15. 2009TiMERMarion
  16. 2007SybilHattie Dorsett
  17. 2007In the Land of WomenAgnes Webb
  18. 200514 HoursJeanette Makins
  19. 2005CrazyloveMrs. Mayer
  20. 2005Into the FireJune Sickles
  21. 2005Fever PitchMaureen Meeks
  22. 2002The Rose TechniqueDr. Lillian Rose
  23. 2002Repossessed
  24. 2001The Ponder HeartEdna Earle Ponder
  25. 2000Trapped in a Purple HazeSophie Hanson
  26. 1999Jackie's Back!Jo Face (Jackie's Vocal Coach)
  27. 1999It Came from the SkyAlice Bridges
  28. 1999JusticeJane Newhart
  29. 1998A Chance of SnowMadeline 'Maddie' Parker
  30. 1997When Danger Follows You HomeAnne Werden
  31. 1997Jungle 2 JungleDr. Patricia Cromwell
  32. 1997Just WriteSidney Stone
  33. 1996After the SIlencePam Willis (as Jobeth Williams)
  34. 1996Ruby Jean and JoeRose
  35. 1995A Season of HopeElizabeth Hackett
  36. 1994Voices from WithinNancy Parkhurst
  37. 1994Parallel LivesWinnie Winslow
  38. 1994Wyatt EarpBessie Earp
  39. 1993Final AppealChristine Biondi
  40. 1993Chantilly LaceNatalie
  41. 1993Sex, Love and Cold Hard CashSarah Gallagher
  42. 1992Commercial Entertainment ProductDiane Freeling
  43. 1992Jonathan: The Boy Nobody WantedGinny Moore
  44. 1992Me, Myself and ICrazy / Sane Diane
  45. 1992Stop! Or My Mom Will ShootGwen Harper
  46. 1991DutchNatalie Standish
  47. 1991SwitchMargo Brofman
  48. 1991Victim of LoveTess Harper
  49. 1990Timeless Tales: The Elves and the ShoemakerBettina (voice)
  50. 1990Child in the NightDr. Hollis
  51. 1989Welcome HomeSarah
  52. 1989My Name Is Bill W.Lois Wilson
  53. 1988Memories of MeLisa
  54. 1987Murder OrdainedLorna Anderson
  55. 1986Adam: His Song ContinuesReve Walsh
  56. 1986Poltergeist II: The Other SideDiane Freeling
  57. 1986Desert BloomLily Chismore
  58. 1985Kids Don't TellClaudia Ryan
  59. 1984American DreamerCathy Palmer
  60. 1984TeachersLisa Hammond
  61. 1983The Day AfterNurse Nancy Bauer
  62. 1983AdamReve Walsh
  63. 1983The Big ChillKaren Bowens
  64. 1982Endangered SpeciesHarriet Purdue
  65. 1982PoltergeistDiane Freeling
  66. 1981Joe Dancer: The Big Black PillTiffany Farinpour
  67. 1980The Dogs of WarJessie
  68. 1980Stir CrazyMeredith
  69. 1980Fun and GamesLaura Weston
  70. 1979Kramer vs. KramerPhyllis Bernard
  71. 1978The World BeyondMarian Faber
  72. 1974Feasting with PanthersConstance Wilde