JoBeth Williams
Acting • Born 1948-12-06
Biography
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.
Filmography
119 credits
Poltergeist
Movie • 1982
Diane Freeling
Switch
Movie • 1991
Margo Brofman
Poltergeist II: The Other Side
Movie • 1986
Diane Freeling
Justice
Movie • 1999
Jane Newhart
Stir Crazy
Movie • 1980
Meredith
Fever Pitch
Movie • 2005
Maureen Meeks
Teachers
Movie • 1984
Lisa Hammond
The Day After
Movie • 1983
Nurse Nancy Bauer
Kramer vs. Kramer
Movie • 1979
Phyllis Bernard
Wyatt Earp
Movie • 1994
Bessie Earp
Dutch
Movie • 1991
Natalie Standish
Jungle 2 Jungle
Movie • 1997
Dr. Patricia Cromwell
The Big Chill
Movie • 1983
Karen Bowens
Within
Movie • 2016
Rosemary Fletcher
Chantilly Bridge
Movie • 2023
Natalie
Sybil
Movie • 2007
Hattie Dorsett
In the Land of Women
Movie • 2007
Agnes Webb
Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot
Movie • 1992
Lt. Gwen Harper
Crazylove
Movie • 2005
Mrs. Mayer
Feasting with Panthers
Movie • 1974
Constance Wilde
My Name Is Bill W.
Movie • 1989
Lois Wilson
It Came from the Sky
Movie • 1999
Alice Bridges
TiMER
Movie • 2009
Marion
Endangered Species
Movie • 1982
Harriet Purdue
American Dreamer
Movie • 1984
Cathy Palmer
Welcome Home
Movie • 1989
Sarah
Adam
Movie • 1983
Reve Walsh
Love's Christmas Journey
Movie • 2011
Beatrice
Desert Bloom
Movie • 1986
Lily Chismore
Memories of Me
Movie • 1988
Lisa
After the SIlence
Movie • 1996
Pam Willis (as Jobeth Williams)
The World Beyond
Movie • 1978
Marian Faber
Child in the Night
Movie • 1990
Dr. Hollis
Just Write
Movie • 1997
Sidney Stone
14 Hours
Movie • 2005
Jeanette Makins
Victim of Love
Movie • 1991
Tess Harper
Chantilly Lace
Movie • 1993
Natalie
Voices from Within
Movie • 1994
Nancy Parkhurst
Sex, Love and Cold Hard Cash
Movie • 1993
Sarah Gallagher
Uncorked
Movie • 2009
Sophia Browning
In My Dreams
Movie • 2015
Charlotte Smith
The Rose Technique
Movie • 2002
Dr. Lillian Rose
The Dogs of War
Movie • 1980
Jessie
When Danger Follows You Home
Movie • 1997
Anne Werden
Ruby Jean and Joe
Movie • 1996
Rose
Me, Myself and I
Movie • 1992
Crazy / Sane Diane
The Ponder Heart
Movie • 2001
Edna Earle Ponder
Parallel Lives
Movie • 1994
Winnie Winslow
Kids Don't Tell
Movie • 1985
Claudia Ryan
Trapped in a Purple Haze
Movie • 2000
Sophie Hanson
Alex & the List
Movie • 2018
Mrs. Stern
A Season of Hope
Movie • 1995
Elizabeth Hackett
Murder Ordained
Movie • 1987
Lorna Anderson
The Curse of Poltergeist
Movie • 2002
Not Without Hope
Movie • 2025
Marcia
Cash for Gold
Movie • 2024
Boots
Adam: His Song Continues
Movie • 1986
Reve Walsh
Joe Dancer: The Big Black Pill
Movie • 1981
Tiffany Farinpour
Barracuda
Movie • 2017
Patricia
The Last Film Festival
Movie • 2016
Mayor
Into the Fire
Movie • 2005
June Sickles
Fun and Games
Movie • 1980
Laura Weston
Final Appeal
Movie • 1993
Christine Biondi
The Big Chill: A Reunion
Movie • 1999
Self
Commercial Entertainment Product
Movie • 1992
Diane Freeling
SGT. Will Gardner
Movie • 2019
Sherry
Repossessed
Movie • 2002
What the Night Can Do
Movie • 2020
Bettye Sue Dryer
Jonathan: The Boy Nobody Wanted
Movie • 1992
Ginny Moore
The Big Year
Movie • 2011
Edith
SEGAL
Movie • 2025
Self
Searching for Debra Winger
Movie • 2002
Self
Jackie's Back!
Movie • 1999
Jo Face (Jackie's Vocal Coach)
A Chance of Snow
Movie • 1998
Madeline 'Maddie' Parker
She Was Here
Movie • 2026
Self
Timeless Tales: The Elves and the Shoemaker
Movie • 1990
Bettina (voice)
Horrifying Hollywood Murders
Movie
Self
Numb3rs
TV • 2005
Margaret Eppes
The Nine
TV • 2006
The Guardian
TV • 2001
Sarah
Judging Amy
TV • 1999
Gemma Lawnsdale
Miss Match
TV • 2003
Lianne Fox
Las Vegas
TV • 2003
Liz
24
TV • 2001
Miriam Henderson
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
TV • 1999
Mrs. Rawley
Frasier
TV • 1993
Danielle (voice)
Criminal Minds
TV • 2005
Professor Ursula Kent
Payne
TV • 1999
Constance Payne
Private Practice
TV • 2007
Bizzy Forbes
E! True Hollywood Story
TV • 1996
Hallmark Hall of Fame
TV • 1951
Lois Wilson
The White Shadow
TV • 1978
Paula Harris
Fish Police
TV • 1992
Batman: The Animated Series
TV • 1992
May and June (voice)
The Client
TV • 1995
Reggie Love
Dexter
TV • 2006
Gail Brandon
Extant
TV • 2014
Leigh Kern
Marry Me
TV • 2014
Myrna
Perception
TV • 2012
Margaret Pierce
Your Family or Mine
TV • 2015
Ricky
From the Earth to the Moon
TV • 1998
Marge Slayton
Josh Gates Tonight
TV • 2020
Self
Against the Wall
TV • 2011
Emily
Frasier
TV • 1993
Madeline Marshall
Law & Order: LA
TV • 2010
Mrs. Walker
Childrens Hospital
TV • 2008
Linda
Murder Ordained
TV • 1987
Lorna Anderson
Scandal
TV • 2012
Sandra Harding
NCIS
TV • 2003
Leona Phelps
Station 19
TV • 2018
Reggie
A Million Little Things
TV • 2018
Lana Strobe
The Good Doctor
TV • 2017
Ruth
Rizzoli & Isles
TV • 2010
Tilly Dunn
Hart of Dixie
TV • 2011
Candice Hart
Strong Medicine
TV • 2000
Margie
Baby M
TV • 1988
Marybeth Whitehead
Heartbeat
TV • 2016
Isobel Dixon
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
TV • 1962
Self
Twenty Good Years
TV • 2006
Kate