JoBeth Williams
Acting
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.
TV Shows(41)
Josh Gates Tonight
Self
2020
A Million Little Things
Lana Strobe
2018
Station 19
Reggie
2018
The Good Doctor
Ruth
2017
Heartbeat
Isobel Dixon
2016
Your Family or Mine
Ricky
2015
Marry Me
Myrna
2014
Extant
Leigh Kern
2014
Perception
Margaret Pierce
2012
Scandal
Sandra Harding
2012
Hart of Dixie
Candice Hart
2011
Against the Wall
Emily
2011
Law & Order: LA
Mrs. Walker
2010
Rizzoli & Isles
Tilly Dunn
2010
Childrens Hospital
Linda
2008
Private Practice
Bizzy Forbes
2007
Twenty Good Years
Kate
2006
The Nine
2006
Dexter
Gail Brandon
2006
Criminal Minds
Professor Ursula Kent
2005
Numb3rs
Margaret Eppes
2005
Miss Match
Lianne Fox
2003
NCIS
Leona Phelps
2003
Las Vegas
Liz
2003
24
Miriam Henderson
2001
The Guardian
Sarah
2001
Strong Medicine
Margie
2000
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Mrs. Rawley
1999
Judging Amy
Gemma Lawnsdale
1999
Payne
Constance Payne
1999
From the Earth to the Moon
Marge Slayton
1998
E! True Hollywood Story
1996
The Client
Reggie Love
1995
Frasier
Danielle (voice)
1993
Batman: The Animated Series
May and June (voice)
1992
Fish Police
Angel (voice)
1992
Baby M
Marybeth Whitehead
1988
Murder Ordained
Lorna Anderson
1987
The White Shadow
Paula Harris
1978
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
Self
1962
Hallmark Hall of Fame
Lois Wilson
1951
Movies(77)
She Was Here
Self
2026
Not Without Hope
Marcia
2025
SEGAL
Self
2025
Cash for Gold
Boots
2024
Chantilly Bridge
Natalie
2023
What the Night Can Do
Bettye Sue Dryer
2020
SGT. Will Gardner
Sherry
2019
Alex & the List
Mrs. Stern
2018
Barracuda
Patricia
2017
Within
Rosemary Fletcher
2016
The Last Film Festival
Mayor
2016
In My Dreams
Charlotte Smith
2015
Love's Christmas Journey
Beatrice
2011
The Big Year
Edith
2011
Uncorked
Sophia Browning
2009
TiMER
Marion
2009
Sybil
Hattie Dorsett
2007
In the Land of Women
Agnes Webb
2007
14 Hours
Jeanette Makins
2005
Crazylove
Mrs. Mayer
2005
Into the Fire
June Sickles
2005
Fever Pitch
Maureen Meeks
2005
The Curse of Poltergeist
2002
Searching for Debra Winger
Self
2002
The Rose Technique
Dr. Lillian Rose
2002
Repossessed
2002
The Ponder Heart
Edna Earle Ponder
2001
Trapped in a Purple Haze
Sophie Hanson
2000
Jackie's Back!
Jo Face (Jackie's Vocal Coach)
1999
It Came from the Sky
Alice Bridges
1999
The Big Chill: A Reunion
Self
1999
Justice
Jane Newhart
1999
A Chance of Snow
Madeline 'Maddie' Parker
1998
When Danger Follows You Home
Anne Werden
1997
Jungle 2 Jungle
Dr. Patricia Cromwell
1997
Just Write
Sidney Stone
1997
After the SIlence
Pam Willis (as Jobeth Williams)
1996
Ruby Jean and Joe
Rose
1996
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
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
Me, Myself and I
Crazy / Sane Diane
1992
Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot
Lt. Gwen Harper
1992
Dutch
Natalie Standish
1991
Switch
Margo Brofman
1991
Victim of Love
Tess Harper
1991
Timeless Tales: The Elves and the Shoemaker
Bettina (voice)
1990
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
Feasting with Panthers
Constance Wilde
1974
Horrifying Hollywood Murders
Self