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