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