Lea Thompson

Biography

Lea Thompson is an American actress who also sings, dances and directs, and she was born in Rochester, Minnesota. She made her movie debut in Jaws 3-D in 1983, then appeared in All the Right Moves (1983) and Red Dawn (1984). Her most famous role is Lorraine Baines McFly, Marty McFly's mother, in the three Back to the Future movies (1985, 1989, 1990). She also starred in Howard the Duck (1986) and Some Kind of Wonderful (1987), and later in Dennis the Menace (1993) and The Beverly Hillbillies (1993). On television, she headlined Caroline in the City, an NBC sitcom, from 1995 to 1999, and in 1996 was named favorite female performer on a new TV series at the People's Choice Awards. Between 2011 and 2017 she portrayed Kathryn Kennish on the ABC Family series Switched at Birth. She has directed episodes of Resident Alien and Star Trek: Picard, and two Jane Doe television films.

65years old

Turns 66 on May 31in 231 days

Born May 31, 1961Rochester
Star sign: GeminiThe sign runs May 21 to June 20
Lea Katherine Thompson (birth name)Also credited as Lea Kathleen Thompson

Movie Career

Films: 43
Career span: 41 years1983 to 2024

Genres

Comedy58%, 25 films
Drama49%, 21 films
Family16%, 7 films
Adventure14%, 6 films
Thriller14%, 6 films

First and latest

Photos

Did you know?!

First role
Thompson said she lied about having made a couple of other movies when she got her very first film, and also claimed she could water ski. She did not, so she had about five days to learn complicated water-skiing for a Sea World show.
Beyond film
In 1986, Lea Thompson appeared in Howard the Duck. She provided vocals on the soundtrack as Beverly Switzler, the lead singer of a band named Cherry Bomb, and those recordings were released on the album and on singles.

Lea Thompson movies on Netflix

BRATS2024IMDb rating 6.5as Himself
Unplugging2022IMDb rating 4.4as Perkins
Mark, Mary + Some Other People2021IMDb rating 5.6as Aunty Carol
Next Stop, Christmas2021IMDb rating 7.0as Evelyn
Dinner in America2020IMDb rating 7.5as Betty
Little Women2018IMDb rating 5.3as Margaret "Marmee" March
Sierra Burgess Is a Loser2018IMDb rating 5.7as Mrs. Burgess
Who We Are Now2018IMDb rating 6.5as Alana
Literally, Right Before Aaron2017IMDb rating 4.6as Deb
The Year of Spectacular Men2017IMDb rating 5.6as Deb Klein
Back in Time2015IMDb rating 6.3as Himself
Left Behind2014IMDb rating 3.2as Irene Steele
Ping Pong Summer2014IMDb rating 5.4as Crandall Miracle
Call Me Crazy: A Five Film2013IMDb rating 6.8as Julia
Love at the Christmas Table2012IMDb rating 6.4as Elissa Beth Dixon
The Trouble with the Truth2012IMDb rating 5.8as Emily
Mayor Cupcake2011IMDb rating 5.8as Mary Maroni
The Cabin2011IMDb rating 5.4as Lily MacDougal
Thin Ice2011IMDb rating 6.2as Jo Ann Prohaska
Adventures of a Teenage Dragonslayer2010IMDb rating 3.2as Laura
Exit Speed2008IMDb rating 5.3as Maudie McMinn
Final Approach2008IMDb rating 4.9as Alicia Bender
Senior Skip Day2008IMDb rating 4.8as Cathleen Harris
Spy School2008IMDb rating 4.5as Claire Miller
The Christmas Clause2008IMDb rating 4.7as Sophie
Jane Doe: How to Fire Your Boss2007IMDb rating 6.3as Cathy Davis
Jane Doe: Yes, I Remember It Well2006IMDb rating 6.2as Cathy Davis
Stealing Christmas2003IMDb rating 5.8as Sarah Gibson
The Right to Remain Silent1996IMDb rating 5.5as Christine Paley
Dennis the Menace1993IMDb rating 5.7as Mrs. Alice Mitchell
The Beverly Hillbillies1993IMDb rating 5.1as Laura Jackson
Article 991992IMDb rating 6.2as Dr. Robin Van Dorn
Back to the Future Part III1990IMDb rating 7.5as Maggie McFly / Lorraine McFly
Back to the Future Part II1989IMDb rating 7.8as Lorraine
Casual Sex?1988IMDb rating 5.1as Stacy
Some Kind of Wonderful1987IMDb rating 7.0as Amanda Jones
Howard the Duck1986IMDb rating 4.8as Beverly Switzler
SpaceCamp1986IMDb rating 5.8as Kathryn Fairly
Back to the Future1985IMDb rating 8.5as Lorraine Baines
Going Undercover1985IMDb rating 4.1as Marigold de la Hunt
Red Dawn1984IMDb rating 6.4as Erica
All the Right Moves1983IMDb rating 6.0as Lisa
Jaws 3-D1983IMDb rating 3.8as Kelly Ann Bukowski

Best known for

The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.

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Back to the Future1985 Adventure, Comedy, Sci-Fias Lorraine Baines
IMDb rating 8.51.5M votes
Back to the Future Part II1989 Adventure, Comedy, Sci-Fias Lorraine
IMDb rating 7.8630K votes
Back to the Future Part III1990as Maggie McFly / Lorraine McFly
IMDb rating 7.5527K votes
Howard the Duck1986as Beverly Switzler
IMDb rating 4.855K votes
Red Dawn1984as Erica
IMDb rating 6.470K votes
Left Behind2014as Irene Steele
IMDb rating 3.245K votes
Dennis the Menace1993as Mrs. Alice Mitchell
IMDb rating 5.770K votes
Some Kind of Wonderful1987as Amanda Jones
IMDb rating 7.038K votes

Most often with

Robert Zemeckis directed three of these films, Howard Deutch two and Armand Mastroianni two. Christopher Lloyd appears in seven 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.

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Christopher Lloyd

Michael J. Fox

James Tolkan

Thomas F. Wilson

Keith David

Billy Zane

Robert ZemeckisDirector, 3 films

Howard DeutchDirector, 2 films

Armand MastroianniDirector, 2 films

Films together

Christopher Lloyd7 films together, 1985 to 2021
Christopher Lloyd's page
- Next Stop, Christmas2021IMDb rating 7.0Thompson as EvelynLloyd as Train Conductor
- Back in Time2015IMDb rating 6.3Thompson as HimselfLloyd as Himself
- The Right to Remain Silent1996IMDb rating 5.5Thompson as Christine PaleyLloyd as Johnny Benjamin
- Dennis the Menace1993IMDb rating 5.7Thompson as Mrs. Alice MitchellLloyd as Switchblade Sam (Town Robber)
- Back to the Future Part III1990IMDb rating 7.5Thompson as Maggie McFly / Lorraine McFlyLloyd as Dr. Emmett Brown
- Back to the Future Part II1989IMDb rating 7.8Thompson as LorraineLloyd as Doctor Emmett Brown
- Back to the Future1985IMDb rating 8.5Thompson as Lorraine BainesLloyd as Dr. Emmett Brown
Michael J. Fox4 films together, 1985 to 2015
Michael J. Fox's page
- Back in Time2015IMDb rating 6.3Thompson as HimselfFox as Himself
- Back to the Future Part III1990IMDb rating 7.5Thompson as Maggie McFly / Lorraine McFlyFox as Marty McFly / Seamus McFly
- Back to the Future Part II1989IMDb rating 7.8Thompson as LorraineFox as Marty McFly / Marty McFly Jr. / Marlene McFly
- Back to the Future1985IMDb rating 8.5Thompson as Lorraine BainesFox as Marty McFly
James Tolkan4 films together, 1985 to 2015
James Tolkan's page
- Back in Time2015IMDb rating 6.3Thompson as HimselfTolkan as Himself
- Back to the Future Part III1990IMDb rating 7.5Thompson as Maggie McFly / Lorraine McFlyTolkan as Marshal James Strickland
- Back to the Future Part II1989IMDb rating 7.8Thompson as LorraineTolkan as Strickland
- Back to the Future1985IMDb rating 8.5Thompson as Lorraine BainesTolkan as Mr. Strickland
Thomas F. Wilson3 films together, 1985 to 1990
Thomas F. Wilson's page
- Back to the Future Part III1990IMDb rating 7.5Thompson as Maggie McFly / Lorraine McFlyWilson as Buford 'Mad Dog' Tannen / Biff Tannen
- Back to the Future Part II1989IMDb rating 7.8Thompson as LorraineWilson as Biff Tannen / Griff
- Back to the Future1985IMDb rating 8.5Thompson as Lorraine BainesWilson as Biff Tannen
Keith David2 films together, 1992 to 2022
Keith David's page
- Unplugging2022IMDb rating 4.4Thompson as PerkinsDavid as Gil
- Article 991992IMDb rating 6.2Thompson as Dr. Robin Van DornDavid as Luther Jermoe
Billy Zane2 films together, 1985 to 1989
Billy Zane's page
- Back to the Future Part II1989IMDb rating 7.8Thompson as LorraineZane as Match
- Back to the Future1985IMDb rating 8.5Thompson as Lorraine BainesZane as Match
Robert ZemeckisDirector, 3 films, 1985 to 1990
All films by Robert Zemeckis
- Back to the Future Part III1990IMDb rating 7.5Thompson as Maggie McFly / Lorraine McFly
- Back to the Future Part II1989IMDb rating 7.8Thompson as Lorraine
- Back to the Future1985IMDb rating 8.5Thompson as Lorraine Baines
Howard DeutchDirector, 2 films, 1987 to 1992
All films by Howard Deutch
- Article 991992IMDb rating 6.2Thompson as Dr. Robin Van Dorn
- Some Kind of Wonderful1987IMDb rating 7.0Thompson as Amanda Jones
Armand MastroianniDirector, 2 films, 2006 to 2008
All films by Armand Mastroianni
- Final Approach2008IMDb rating 4.9Thompson as Alicia Bender
- Jane Doe: Yes, I Remember It Well2006IMDb rating 6.2Thompson as Cathy Davis
Also two films together24 more actors
- Ernie HudsonCall Me Crazy: A Five Film (2013) and Final Approach (2008)
- Judd NelsonBRATS (2024) and Mayor Cupcake (2011)
- Eric StoltzBack in Time (2015) and Some Kind of Wonderful (1987)
- Elisabeth ShueBack to the Future Part III (1990) and Back to the Future Part II (1989)
- Terry O'QuinnSpaceCamp (1986) and All the Right Moves (1983)
- Troy EvansThe Year of Spectacular Men (2017) and Article 99 (1992)
- Zoey DeutchThe Year of Spectacular Men (2017) and Mayor Cupcake (2011)
- Marc McClureBack to the Future Part III (1990) and Back to the Future (1985)
- Casey SiemaszkoBack to the Future Part II (1989) and Back to the Future (1985)
- Scott PaulinFinal Approach (2008) and Jane Doe: How to Fire Your Boss (2007)
- Jessy SchramJane Doe: How to Fire Your Boss (2007) and Jane Doe: Yes, I Remember It Well (2006)
- Scott CoffeySome Kind of Wonderful (1987) and SpaceCamp (1986)
- William R. MosesJane Doe: How to Fire Your Boss (2007) and Jane Doe: Yes, I Remember It Well (2006)
- Amy PietzThe Year of Spectacular Men (2017) and Adventures of a Teenage Dragonslayer (2010)
- Donald FulliloveBack in Time (2015) and Back to the Future (1985)
- J.J. CohenBack to the Future Part II (1989) and Back to the Future (1985)
- Joe PennyJane Doe: How to Fire Your Boss (2007) and Jane Doe: Yes, I Remember It Well (2006)
- Wendie Jo SperberBack to the Future Part III (1990) and Back to the Future (1985)
- Jeffrey WeissmanBack to the Future Part III (1990) and Back to the Future Part II (1989)
- Madelyn DeutchThe Year of Spectacular Men (2017) and Mayor Cupcake (2011)
- Mitch RouseCall Me Crazy: A Five Film (2013) and Spy School (2008)
- Claudia WellsBack in Time (2015) and Back to the Future (1985)
- Shawn PrinceAdventures of a Teenage Dragonslayer (2010) and Spy School (2008)
- Zack ShadaJane Doe: How to Fire Your Boss (2007) and Jane Doe: Yes, I Remember It Well (2006)
When several people share the same number of films, the ones with the most films on Netflix are in the chart.

Box office

What Lea Thompson's films earned in cinemas worldwide.

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Combined worldwide box office

$1.3 billion

16 of the 42 films have a worldwide figure.

16Worldwide figure
2US gross only
14Never in cinemas
10Figure not found

Top grosser

Back to the Future1985Lorraine Baines$392 million

Highest grossing

The eight biggest films earned 94% of the total. The bars are drawn to scale.

1
Back to the Future1985as Lorraine Baines
$392M29.7% of the total
2
Back to the Future Part II1989as Lorraine
$333M25.3% of the total
3
Back to the Future Part III1990as Maggie McFly / Lorraine McFly
$245M18.6% of the total
4
Dennis the Menace1993as Mrs. Alice Mitchell
$117M8.9% of the total
5
The Beverly Hillbillies1993as Laura Jackson
$57M4.4% of the total
6
Red Dawn1984as Erica
$38M2.9% of the total
7
Howard the Duck1986as Beverly Switzler
$38M2.9% of the total
8
Left Behind2014as Irene Steele
$20M1.5% of the total