JoBeth Williams
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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
Credits
Poltergeist (1982)
as Diane Freeling
Wyatt Earp (1994)
as Bessie Earp
Kramer vs. Kramer (1979)
as Phyllis Bernard
Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot (1992)
as Lt. Gwen Harper
Switch (1991)
as Margo Brofman
The Big Chill (1983)
as Karen Bowens
Jungle 2 Jungle (1997)
as Dr. Patricia Cromwell
The Big Year (2011)
as Edith
The Day After (1983)
as Nurse Nancy Bauer
Fever Pitch (2005)
as Maureen Meeks
Stir Crazy (1980)
as Meredith
Poltergeist II: The Other Side (1986)
as Diane Freeling
The Dogs of War (1980)
as Jessie
Not Without Hope (2025)
as Marcia
Within (2016)
as Rosemary Fletcher
Dutch (1991)
as Natalie Standish
In the Land of Women (2007)
as Agnes Webb
Endangered Species (1982)
as Harriet Purdue
TiMER (2009)
as Marion
Teachers (1984)
as Lisa Hammond
Jackie's Back! (1999)
as Jo Face (Jackie's Vocal Coach)
Desert Bloom (1986)
as Lily Chismore
In My Dreams (2015)
as Charlotte Smith
Welcome Home (1989)
as Sarah
Searching for Debra Winger (2002)
as Self
Memories of Me (1988)
as Lisa
Alex & the List (2018)
as Mrs. Stern
Parallel Lives (1994)
as Winnie Winslow
Just Write (1997)
as Sidney Stone
Sybil (2007)
as Hattie Dorsett
American Dreamer (1984)
as Cathy Palmer
Chantilly Bridge (2023)
as Natalie
My Name Is Bill W. (1989)
as Lois Wilson
Crazylove (2005)
as Mrs. Mayer
After the SIlence (1996)
as Pam Willis (as Jobeth Williams)
Love's Christmas Journey (2011)
as Beatrice
Justice (1999)
as Jane Newhart
Fun and Games (1980)
as Laura Weston
Uncorked (2009)
as Sophia Browning
Chantilly Lace (1993)
as Natalie
SEGAL (2025)
as Self
The Big Chill: A Reunion (1999)
as Self
Me, Myself and I (1992)
as Crazy / Sane Diane
14 Hours (2005)
as Jeanette Makins
Murder Ordained (1987)
as Lorna Anderson
SGT. Will Gardner (2019)
as Sherry
Adam (1983)
as Reve Walsh
Final Appeal (1993)
as Christine Biondi
Barracuda (2017)
as Patricia
Into the Fire (2005)
as June Sickles
Child in the Night (1990)
as Dr. Hollis
The Rose Technique (2002)
as Dr. Lillian Rose
It Came from the Sky (1999)
as Alice Bridges
Ruby Jean and Joe (1996)
as Rose
Commercial Entertainment Product (1992)
as Diane Freeling
She Was Here (2026)
as Self
Joe Dancer: The Big Black Pill (1981)
as Tiffany Farinpour
Jonathan: The Boy Nobody Wanted (1992)
as Ginny Moore
Kids Don't Tell (1985)
as Claudia Ryan
The Ponder Heart (2001)
as Edna Earle Ponder
What the Night Can Do (2020)
as Bettye Sue Dryer
Victim of Love (1991)
as Tess Harper
When Danger Follows You Home (1997)
as Anne Werden
Cash for Gold (2024)
as Boots
Trapped in a Purple Haze (2000)
as Sophie Hanson
Voices from Within (1994)
as Nancy Parkhurst
A Chance of Snow (1998)
as Madeline 'Maddie' Parker
Adam: His Song Continues (1986)
as Reve Walsh
Sex, Love and Cold Hard Cash (1993)
as Sarah Gallagher
A Season of Hope (1995)
as Elizabeth Hackett
Feasting with Panthers (1974)
as Constance Wilde
Timeless Tales: The Elves and the Shoemaker (1990)
as Bettina (voice)
Horrifying Hollywood Murders (—)
as Self
The Last Film Festival (2016)
as Mayor
The World Beyond (1978)
as Marian Faber
The Curse of Poltergeist (2002)
Actor
Repossessed (2002)
Actor