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.
Known for
Acting118
movieSEGAL
2025
Self
movieChantilly Bridge
2023
Natalie
movieWhat the Night Can Do
2020
Bettye Sue Dryer
tvA Million Little Things
2018
Lana Strobe
movieAlex & the List
2018
Mrs. Stern
tvStation 19
2018
Reggie
movieBarracuda
2017
Patricia
movieWithin
2016
Rosemary Fletcher
tvHeartbeat
2016
Isobel Dixon
movieIn My Dreams
2015
Charlotte Smith
tvMarry Me
2014
Myrna
tvExtant
2014
Leigh Kern
tvPerception
2012
Margaret Pierce
tvScandal
2012
Sandra Harding
tvHart of Dixie
2011
Candice Hart
tvLaw & Order: LA
2010
Mrs. Walker
tvRizzoli & Isles
2010
Tilly Dunn
movieUncorked
2009
Sophia Browning
movieTiMER
2009
Marion
tvPrivate Practice
2007
Bizzy Forbes
movieSybil
2007
Hattie Dorsett
movieIn the Land of Women
2007
Agnes Webb
tvDexter
2006
Gail Brandon
movie14 Hours
2005
Jeanette Makins
movieCrazylove
2005
Mrs. Mayer
movieInto the Fire
2005
June Sickles
tvCriminal Minds
2005
Professor Ursula Kent
movieFever Pitch
2005
Maureen Meeks
tvNumb3rs
2005
Margaret Eppes
tvMiss Match
2003
Lianne Fox
tvNCIS
2003
Leona Phelps
movieThe Rose Technique
2002
Dr. Lillian Rose
tv24
2001
Miriam Henderson
movieThe Ponder Heart
2001
Edna Earle Ponder
tvThe Guardian
2001
Sarah
tvStrong Medicine
2000
Margie
movieTrapped in a Purple Haze
2000
Sophie Hanson
tvLaw & Order: Special Victims Unit
1999
Mrs. Rawley
tvJudging Amy
1999
Gemma Lawnsdale
movieJackie's Back!
1999
Jo Face (Jackie's Vocal Coach)
movieIt Came from the Sky
1999
Alice Bridges
tvPayne
1999
Constance Payne
movieJustice
1999
Jane Newhart
movieA Chance of Snow
1998
Madeline 'Maddie' Parker
tvFrom the Earth to the Moon
1998
Marge Slayton
movieWhen Danger Follows You Home
1997
Anne Werden
movieJungle 2 Jungle
1997
Dr. Patricia Cromwell
movieJust Write
1997
Sidney Stone
movieAfter the SIlence
1996
Pam Willis (as Jobeth Williams)
tvThe Client
1995
Reggie Love
movieA Season of Hope
1995
Elizabeth Hackett
movieVoices from Within
1994
Nancy Parkhurst
movieParallel Lives
1994
Winnie Winslow
movieWyatt Earp
1994
Bessie Earp
movieFinal Appeal
1993
Christine Biondi
tvFrasier
1993
Danielle (voice) / Madeline Marshall
movieChantilly Lace
1993
Natalie
movieCommercial Entertainment Product
1992
Diane Freeling
movieJonathan: The Boy Nobody Wanted
1992
Ginny Moore
tvBatman: The Animated Series
1992
May and June (voice)
movieMe, Myself and I
1992
Crazy / Sane Diane
tvFish Police
1992
Angel (voice)
movieStop! Or My Mom Will Shoot
1992
Lt. Gwen Harper
movieDutch
1991
Natalie Standish
movieSwitch
1991
Margo Brofman
movieVictim of Love
1991
Tess Harper
movieTimeless Tales: The Elves and the Shoemaker
1990
Bettina (voice)
movieChild in the Night
1990
Dr. Hollis
movieMy Name Is Bill W.
1989
Lois Wilson
tvBaby M
1988
Marybeth Whitehead
movieMurder Ordained
1987
Lorna Anderson
tvMurder Ordained
1987
Lorna Anderson
movieAdam: His Song Continues
1986
Reve Walsh
moviePoltergeist II: The Other Side
1986
Diane Freeling
movieDesert Bloom
1986
Lily Chismore
movieKids Don't Tell
1985
Claudia Ryan
movieAmerican Dreamer
1984
Cathy Palmer
movieTeachers
1984
Lisa Hammond
movieThe Day After
1983
Nurse Nancy Bauer
movieAdam
1983
Reve Walsh
movieThe Big Chill
1983
Karen Bowens
movieEndangered Species
1982
Harriet Purdue
moviePoltergeist
1982
Diane Freeling
movieJoe Dancer: The Big Black Pill
1981
Tiffany Farinpour
movieThe Dogs of War
1980
Jessie
movieStir Crazy
1980
Meredith
movieFun and Games
1980
Laura Weston
movieKramer vs. Kramer
1979
Phyllis Bernard
tvThe White Shadow
1978
Paula Harris
movieThe World Beyond
1978
Marian Faber
movieFeasting with Panthers
1974
Constance Wilde
tvHallmark Hall of Fame
1951
Lois Wilson
Directing3
Production1
movieBump in the Night
1991
Co-Executive Producer