JoBeth Williams
Biography
JoBeth Williams is an American actress who moved from daytime television to feature films. Born in Houston, she first appeared on screen in the children's series Jabberwocky and had regular roles on the soap operas Somerset and Guiding Light. Her feature debut came in Kramer vs. Kramer (1979), and she went on to star in Stir Crazy (1980), The Dogs of War (1980) and Poltergeist (1982) as the suburban mother Diane Freeling, a part she returned to in Poltergeist II: The Other Side (1986). Other films include The Big Chill (1983), American Dreamer (1984), which brought her a Best Actress award from the Kansas City Film Critics Circle, Teachers (1984), Switch (1991), Dutch (1991) and Wyatt Earp (1994). A three-time Emmy nominee, she led the series The Client and later had recurring roles on Dexter and Private Practice. Her short film On Hope, her directing debut, earned an Academy Award nomination.
77years old
Turns 78 on December 6in 54 days
- Born Houston
- Star sign: SagittariusThe sign runs November 22 to December 21
- Also credited as Margaret Jobeth Williams
Movie Career
- Films
- 32
- Career span
- 46 years1979 to 2025
Genres
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Behind the camera
Williams directed the 1994 short film On Hope, which was her first time directing. The film brought her a nomination for an Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film.
First role
Williams's first television role was on the syndicated children's series Jabberwocky, which debuted in 1972; she joined in season two, replacing original hostess Joanne Sopko, and her character was named JoBeth.
A change of course
Williams took on the role of president of the Screen Actors Guild Foundation in 2009, and she now holds the title of president emerita of that foundation.
JoBeth Williams movies on Netflix
Not Without Hopeas Marcia
Cash for Goldas Boots
What the Night Can Doas Bettye Sue Dryer
SGT. Will Gardneras Sherry
Alex & the Listas Mrs. Stern
Barracudaas Patricia
In My Dreamsas Charlotte
Love's Christmas Journeyas Beatrice
The Big Yearas Edith Preissler
TiMERas Marion
In the Land of Womenas Agnes Webb
Fever Pitchas Maureen Meeks
Jackie's Back!as Jo Face (Jackie's Vocal Coach)
Jungle 2 Jungleas Dr. Patricia Cromwell
Just Writeas Sidney Stone
Wyatt Earpas Bessie Earp
Sex, Love and Cold Hard Cashas Sarah Gallagher
Stop! Or My Mom Will Shootas Gwen Harper
Dutchas Natalie Standish
Switchas Margo Brofman
My Name Is Bill W.as Lois Wilson
Memories of Meas Lisa
Poltergeist II: The Other Sideas Diane Freeling
American Dreameras Cathy Palmer / Rebecca Ryan
Teachersas Lisa Hammond
The Big Chillas Karen Bowens
The Day Afteras Nurse Nancy Bauer
Endangered Speciesas Harriet Purdue
Poltergeistas Diane Freeling
Stir Crazyas Meredith
The Dogs of Waras Jessie
Kramer vs. Krameras Phyllis Bernard
Best known for
The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.
Most often with
Lawrence Kasdan directed two of these films. Craig T. Nelson appears in three of them, more than any other actor. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.








Films together
Craig T. Nelson3 films together, 1980 to 1986
Craig T. Nelson's page Poltergeist II: The Other Side1986IMDb rating 5.7Williams as Diane FreelingNelson as Steve Freeling
Poltergeist1982IMDb rating 7.3Williams as Diane FreelingNelson as Steve Freeling
Stir Crazy1980IMDb rating 6.7Williams as MeredithNelson as Deputy Ward Wilson
Tom Berenger2 films together, 1980 to 1983
Tom Berenger's page The Big Chill1983IMDb rating 7.1Williams as Karen BowensBerenger as Sam Weber
The Dogs of War1980IMDb rating 6.3Williams as JessieBerenger as Drew
Kevin Costner2 films together, 1983 to 1994
Kevin Costner's page Wyatt Earp1994IMDb rating 6.7Williams as Bessie EarpCostner as Wyatt Earp
The Big Chill1983IMDb rating 7.1Williams as Karen BowensCostner as Alex (corpse)
Gailard Sartain2 films together, 1982 to 1992
Gailard Sartain's page Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot1992IMDb rating 4.4Williams as Gwen HarperSartain as Munroe
Endangered Species1982IMDb rating 5.8Williams as Harriet PurdueSartain as Mayor
Max Martini2 films together, 2019 to 2020
Max Martini's page What the Night Can Do2020IMDb rating 4.7Williams as Bettye Sue DryerMartini as Marty Cole
SGT. Will Gardner2019IMDb rating 5.9Williams as SherryMartini as Will 'Ghost' Gardner
Gary Sinise2 films together, 1989 to 2019
Gary Sinise's page SGT. Will Gardner2019IMDb rating 5.9Williams as SherrySinise as Larry
My Name Is Bill W.1989IMDb rating 7.3Williams as Lois WilsonSinise as Ebby
Lawrence KasdanDirector, 2 films, 1983 to 1994
All films by Lawrence Kasdan Wyatt Earp1994IMDb rating 6.7Williams as Bessie Earp
The Big Chill1983IMDb rating 7.1Williams as Karen Bowens
Also two films together8 more actors
- Ed O'NeillDutch (1991) and The Dogs of War (1980)
- George CoeMy Name Is Bill W. (1989) and Kramer vs. Kramer (1979)
- Richard LawsonJackie's Back! (1999) and Poltergeist (1982)
- Henry KingiSex, Love and Cold Hard Cash (1993) and Stir Crazy (1980)
- Luis BordonadaSGT. Will Gardner (2019) and Barracuda (2017)
- Zelda RubinsteinPoltergeist II: The Other Side (1986) and Poltergeist (1982)
- Heather O'RourkePoltergeist II: The Other Side (1986) and Poltergeist (1982)
- Oliver RobinsPoltergeist II: The Other Side (1986) and Poltergeist (1982)
When several people share the same number of films, the ones with the most films on Netflix are in the chart.
Box office
What JoBeth Williams's films earned in cinemas worldwide.
Combined worldwide box office
$686 million
15 of the 32 films have a worldwide figure.
Of the 32 films: 15 worldwide figure; 4 us gross only; 7 never in cinemas; 5 figure not found; 1 too new to count.
- 15Worldwide figure
- 4US gross only
- 7Never in cinemas
- 5Figure not found
- 1Too new to count
Top grosser

Highest grossing
The eight biggest films earned 89% of the total. The bars are drawn to scale.
- 1$122M17.8% of the total
- 2$106M15.5% of the total
- 3$101M14.8% of the total
- 4$71M10.3% of the total
- 5$60M8.7% of the total
- 6$56M8.2% of the total
- 7$51M7.4% of the total
- 8$41M6.0% of the total
Online
Official profiles and reference pages.









