CINEFILER

JoBeth Williams

Born
December 6, 1948
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
Poltergeist
(1982)
Diane Freeling
Stir Crazy
(1980)
Meredith
Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot
(1992)
Lt. Gwen Harper
Wyatt Earp
(1994)
Bessie Earp
Fever Pitch
(2005)
Maureen Meeks
Switch
(1991)
Margo Brofman
Kramer vs. Kramer
(1979)
Phyllis Bernard
Poltergeist II: The Other Side
(1986)
Diane Freeling
The Big Chill
(1983)
Karen Bowens
The Big Year
(2011)
Edith
In My Dreams
(2015)
Charlotte Smith
Jungle 2 Jungle
(1997)
Dr. Patricia Cromwell
In the Land of Women
(2007)
Agnes Webb
The Day After
(1983)
Nurse Nancy Bauer
Within
(2016)
Rosemary Fletcher
Dutch
(1991)
Natalie Standish
Full Filmography
Acting
Feasting with Panthers
(1974)
Constance Wilde
The World Beyond
(1978)
Marian Faber
Kramer vs. Kramer
(1979)
Phyllis Bernard
Stir Crazy
(1980)
Meredith
The Dogs of War
(1980)
Jessie
Fun and Games
(1980)
Laura Weston
Joe Dancer: The Big Black Pill
(1981)
Tiffany Farinpour
Poltergeist
(1982)
Diane Freeling
Endangered Species
(1982)
Harriet Purdue
The Day After
(1983)
Nurse Nancy Bauer
The Big Chill
(1983)
Karen Bowens
Adam
(1983)
Reve Walsh
Teachers
(1984)
Lisa Hammond
American Dreamer
(1984)
Cathy Palmer
Kids Don't Tell
(1985)
Claudia Ryan
Poltergeist II: The Other Side
(1986)
Diane Freeling
Desert Bloom
(1986)
Lily Chismore
Adam: His Song Continues
(1986)
Reve Walsh
Murder Ordained
(1987)
Lorna Anderson
Memories of Me
(1988)
Lisa
Baby M
(1988)
Marybeth Whitehead
My Name Is Bill W.
(1989)
Lois Wilson
Welcome Home
(1989)
Sarah
Child in the Night
(1990)
Dr. Hollis
Switch
(1991)
Margo Brofman
Dutch
(1991)
Natalie Standish
Victim of Love
(1991)
Tess Harper
Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot
(1992)
Lt. Gwen Harper
Me, Myself and I
(1992)
Crazy / Sane Diane
Commercial Entertainment Product
(1992)
Diane Freeling
Jonathan: The Boy Nobody Wanted
(1992)
Ginny Moore
Chantilly Lace
(1993)
Natalie
Sex, Love and Cold Hard Cash
(1993)
Sarah Gallagher
Final Appeal
(1993)
Christine Biondi
Wyatt Earp
(1994)
Bessie Earp
Parallel Lives
(1994)
Winnie Winslow
Voices from Within
(1994)
Nancy Parkhurst
A Season of Hope
(1995)
Elizabeth Hackett
After the Silence
(1996)
Pam Willis (as Jobeth Williams)
Ruby Jean and Joe
(1996)
Rose
Jungle 2 Jungle
(1997)
Dr. Patricia Cromwell
Just Write
(1997)
Sidney Stone
When Danger Follows You Home
(1997)
Anne Werden
A Chance of Snow
(1998)
Madeline 'Maddie Parker
It Came From the Sky
(1999)
Alice Bridges
The Big Chill: A Reunion
(1999)
Self
Jackie's Back!
(1999)
Jo Face (Jackie's Vocal Coach)
Justice
(1999)
Jane Newhart
Trapped in a Purple Haze
(2000)
Sophie Hanson
The Ponder Heart
(2001)
Edna Earle Ponder
The Rose Technique
(2002)
Dr. Lillian Rose
Repossessed
(2002)
Searching for Debra Winger
(2002)
Self
The Curse of Poltergeist
(2002)
Fever Pitch
(2005)
Maureen Meeks
Crazylove
(2005)
Mrs. Mayer
Into the Fire
(2005)
June Sickles
14 Hours
(2005)
Jeanette Makins
Sybil
(2007)
Hattie Dorsett
In the Land of Women
(2007)
Agnes Webb
TiMER
(2009)
Marion
Uncorked
(2009)
Sophia Browning
Love's Christmas Journey
(2011)
Beatrice
The Big Year
(2011)
Edith
In My Dreams
(2015)
Charlotte Smith
The Last Film Festival
(2016)
Mayor
Within
(2016)
Rosemary Fletcher
Barracuda
(2017)
Patricia
Alex & the List
(2018)
Mrs. Stern
SGT. Will Gardner
(2019)
Sherry
What the Night Can Do
(2020)
Bettye Sue Dryer
Chantilly Bridge
(2023)
Natalie
Not Without Hope
(2024)
Cash for Gold
(2024)
Boots
Production
Directing
Data provided by TMDB