Biography
Betty Thomas (born Betty Lucille Nienhauser) is an American actress and director. She trained at Ohio University and began her career in Chicago, performing with the Second City comedy troupe after working as a teacher and waitress.
She gained prominence playing Sergeant Lucy Bates on the television series Hill Street Blues (1981–87), receiving seven Emmy nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series and winning in 1985. She later directed episodes of series including Doogie Howser, M.D. (1989) and Dream On, winning a second Emmy for directing the latter.
Thomas made her feature directorial debut with Only You (1992). Her subsequent films include The Brady Bunch Movie (1995), Private Parts (1997), Doctor Dolittle (1998), 28 Days (2000), I Spy (2002), John Tucker Must Die (2006) and Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel (2009).
