---
name: "Cherry Jones"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/cherry-jones"
fi1m_id: "cherry-jones"
imdb_id: "nm0427728"
tmdb_id: 1956
wikidata_id: "Q239046"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "21 November 1956"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 13
average_fi1m_score: 70
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 13
updated: "2026-10-22T03:23:15.196288+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Cherry Jones

## Identity

Cherry Jones

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/cherry-jones
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** cherry-jones
- **IMDb ID:** nm0427728
- **TMDB ID:** 1956
- **Wikidata ID:** Q239046
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cherry_Jones, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q239046, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0427728/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/1956

Actor. Born 21 November 1956 in Paris, Tennessee, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 21 November 1956, Paris, Tennessee, USA
- **Active:** 1998–present
- **Frequently works with:** [Joaquin Phoenix](https://film.one/person/joaquin-phoenix.md), [M. Night Shyamalan](https://film.one/person/m-night-shyamalan.md), [Sam Mercer](https://film.one/person/sam-mercer.md)
- **Primetime Emmy Awards:** 1 Emmy (1 won)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 70, as actor, over 13 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1990s 68 (1), 2000s 69 (6), 2010s 74 (5), 2020s 60 (1)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 70 to 67 across 13 titles
- **Score spread:** 3 at 80+, 8 at 60–79, 2 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 0 of 7 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 11, Thriller 4, Action & Adventure 2, Adventure 2, Comedy 2, Crime 2
- **Screen time:** 17 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $1,804m across 8 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cherry_Jones, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q239046, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0427728/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/1956

## Streaming the US now

- **Peacock:** [*Signs*](https://film.one/film/signs.md) (76)
- **Tubi:** [*The Horse Whisperer*](https://film.one/film/the-horse-whisperer.md) (68)
- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*The Village*](https://film.one/film/the-village.md) (63)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Cherry Jones

> Cherry Jones makes authority feel ordinary: capable, unshowy and sometimes dryly funny. We value the warmth and firmness she brings to supporting parts, though the films do not always give her enough to do.

In *Signs* (2002), Cherry Jones plays Officer Paski as someone who can be trusted to get on with the job. Her low-key manner gives M. Night Shyamalan a credible local professional, without making her seem cold or officious. We found her reassuring: her warmth provides some relief in a film that earns its scares by limiting what we can see. Her matter-of-fact delivery suits the patient suspense, even when the writing starts pressing its points too hard.

In Steven Soderbergh’s *Erin Brockovich* (2000), Pamela Duncan is a resident affected by contamination, and Jones plays her with quiet resilience. Julia Roberts carries the film, but Jones helps make the people around its central character worth attending to. That plainness suits a story attentive to how a case is actually assembled, even when its progress becomes predictable. Jones gives Duncan enough weight to matter within it, without asking us to stop and admire the performance.

Her stage work asks more of that control, notably Catherine Sloper in *The Heiress* (1995) and Sister Aloysius in *Doubt* (2005). In the latter, stillness, controlled inflection and precise body language convey conviction while allowing the conflict underneath to register. Her film work expanded from the late 1990s, with television later giving her Allison Taylor in *24* (2009–2010). The small screen parts sit alongside a continuing commitment to theatre, where she has had more substantial characters to explore.

The caution is that some early screen parts are functional, with too little for her to do beyond making an ensemble plausible. She has not had a prominent lead film role comparable to those stage parts, so the films cannot tell us everything she can do. We remain interested in what a larger part might ask of her, rather than inclined to overpraise every brief appearance. Start with *Signs* or *Erin Brockovich*, provided a supporting actor’s share of the evening will do.

## Biography

Cherry Jones is an American actress. She was born on 21 November 1956 in Paris, Tennessee. She graduated with a BFA from Carnegie Mellon University and began her career in theatre as a founding member of the American Repertory Theatre in 1980.

Jones made her Broadway debut in the 1987 play *Stepping Out*. She won Tony Awards for Best Actress in a Play for *The Heiress* (1995) and *Doubt* (2005). Her film credits include *Erin Brockovich* (2000) as Pamela Duncan, *The Perfect Storm* (2000) and *Signs* (2002). On television she played Allison Taylor in the series *24* (2001–2010).

She has received three Primetime Emmy Awards, including one for her role in *24*.

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com, themoviedb.org.*

## On Fi1m (13)

- *The Eyes of Tammy Faye* (2021), Fi1m 60, as Rachel Grover — [page](https://film.one/film/the-eyes-of-tammy-faye.md)
- *Succession* (2018), Fi1m 88, as Nan Pierce — [page](https://film.one/tv/succession.md)
- *The Handmaid's Tale* (2017), Fi1m 75, as Holly Maddox — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-handmaids-tale.md)
- *I Saw the Light* (2016), Fi1m 42, as Lillie Williams — [page](https://film.one/film/i-saw-the-light.md)
- *Transparent* (2014), Fi1m 82, as Leslie Mackinaw — [page](https://film.one/tv/transparent.md)
- *Black Mirror* (2011), Fi1m 81, as Susan Taylor — [page](https://film.one/tv/black-mirror.md)
- *Ocean's Twelve* (2004), Fi1m 58, as Molly Star / Mrs. Caldwell — [page](https://film.one/film/oceans-twelve.md)
- *The Village* (2004), Fi1m 63, as Mrs. Clack — [page](https://film.one/film/the-village.md)
- *Signs* (2002), Fi1m 76, as Officer Paski — [page](https://film.one/film/signs.md)
- *24* (2001), Fi1m 78, as Allison Taylor — [page](https://film.one/tv/24.md)
- *Erin Brockovich* (2000), Fi1m 78, as Pamela Duncan — [page](https://film.one/film/erin-brockovich.md)
- *The Perfect Storm* (2000), Fi1m 63, as Edie Bailey — [page](https://film.one/film/the-perfect-storm.md)
- *The Horse Whisperer* (1998), Fi1m 68, as Liz Hammond — [page](https://film.one/film/the-horse-whisperer.md)

## Complete filmography (67)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *National Theatre at Home: The Grapes of Wrath* (2024), as Ma Joad
- *Obsessed with Light* (2023), as Loïe Fuller (voice)
- *Extrapolations* (2023), series, as President Elizabeth Burdick
- *Poker Face* (2023), series, as Laura — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/poker-face.md)
- *Velma* (2023), series, as Victoria (voice)
- *Five Days at Memorial* (2022), series, as Susan Mulderick
- *The Sky Is Everywhere* (2022), as Fiona
- *Becoming Helen Keller* (2021), as Helen Keller (voice)
- *Foundation* (2021), series, as Ambassador Quent — Fi1m 61, [page](https://film.one/tv/foundation.md)
- *The Eyes of Tammy Faye* (2021), as Rachel Grover — Fi1m 60, [page](https://film.one/film/the-eyes-of-tammy-faye.md)
- *Hacks* (2021), series, as Kelly Kilpatrick — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/tv/hacks.md)
- *Elegies for Angels, Punks and Raging Queens* (2020), as Nancy
- *Defending Jacob* (2020), series, as Joanna Klein
- *Motherless Brooklyn* (2019), as Gabby Horowitz
- *Transparent: Musicale Finale* (2019), as Leslie Mackinaw
- *Our Friend* (2019), as Faith Pruett
- *A Rainy Day in New York* (2019), as Mrs. Welles
- *Wine Country* (2019), as Lady Sunshine
- *Chimerica* (2019), series, as Mel Kincaid
- *Boy Erased* (2018), as Dr. Muldoon
- *Succession* (2018), series, as Nan Pierce — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/succession.md)
- *The Party* (2017), as Martha
- *The Handmaid's Tale* (2017), series, as Holly Maddox — Fi1m 75, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-handmaids-tale.md)
- *Whiskey Tango Foxtrot* (2016), as Geri Taub
- *11.22.63* (2016), series, as Marquerite Oswald
- *I Saw the Light* (2016), as Lillie Williams — Fi1m 42, [page](https://film.one/film/i-saw-the-light.md)
- *Knight of Cups* (2015), as Ruth
- *Transparent* (2014), series, as Leslie Mackinaw — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/transparent.md)
- *Days and Nights* (2014), as Mary
- *Awake* (2012), series, as Dr. Judith Evans
- *New Year's Eve* (2011), as Mrs Rose Ahern
- *Black Mirror* (2011), series, as Susan Taylor — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/tv/black-mirror.md)
- *The Beaver* (2011), as Vice President
- *Portlandia* (2011), series, as Bridge Manager / New Mayor
- *Mother and Child* (2009), as Sister Joanne
- *Amelia* (2009), as Eleanor Roosevelt
- *Swimmers* (2005), as Julia Tyler
- *Ocean's Twelve* (2004), as Molly Star / Mrs. Caldwell — Fi1m 58, [page](https://film.one/film/oceans-twelve.md)
- *Clubhouse* (2004), series, Actor
- *The Village* (2004), as Mrs. Clack — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/film/the-village.md)
- *Working Shakespeare* (2003), series, Actor
- *Signs* (2002), as Officer Paski — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/film/signs.md)
- *Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood* (2002), as Buggy
- *Miss America* (2002), as Narrator
- *24* (2001), series, as Allison Taylor — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/24.md)
- *What Makes a Family* (2001), as Sandy Cataldi
- *Cora Unashamed* (2000), as Lizbeth Studevant
- *The Perfect Storm* (2000), as Edie Bailey — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/film/the-perfect-storm.md)
- *Erin Brockovich* (2000), as Pamela Duncan — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/erin-brockovich.md)
- *The Lady in Question* (1999), as Mimi Barnes
- *Cradle Will Rock* (1999), as Hallie Flanagan
- *The West Wing* (1999), series, as Barbara Layton — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-west-wing.md)
- *Murder in a Small Town* (1999), as Mimi Barnes
- *Out of the Past* (1998), as Annie Adams Fields (voice)
- *The Horse Whisperer* (1998), as Liz Hammond — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/film/the-horse-whisperer.md)
- *Julian Po* (1997), as Lucy
- *Frasier* (1993), series, as Janet (voice) — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/frasier.md)
- *Housesitter* (1992), as Patty
- *American Experience* (1988), series, as Narrator (voice)
- *The Big Town* (1987), as Ginger McDonald
- *Light of Day* (1987), as Cindy Montgomery
- *Alex: The Life of a Child* (1986), as Tina Crawford
- *Sganarelle* (1984), as Dorimène / Lucinde
- *O’Malley* (1983), as Secretary
- *Untitled The Secret of Secrets Series*, series, as Heide Nagel
- *The Steel Harp*, Actor
- *Fonda*, Actor

## Gallery

- ![Cherry Jones](https://film.one/media/person/9831/gallery-cac715698cb1.jpg) Cherry Jones — Kathleen Tyler Conklin, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d8/Cherry_Jones_2009_%283459834246%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Original description: Tyler and I had our photos taken with Cherry Jones (AKA President Allison Taylor on the TV series '24'). She was in Paris, TN, her hometow (2009)](https://film.one/media/person/9831/gallery-949751b1df91.jpg) Original description: Tyler and I had our photos taken with Cherry Jones (AKA President Allison Taylor on the TV series '24'). She was in Paris, TN, her hometow (2009) — Kathleen Tyler Conklin, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/33/Cherry_Jones%2C_KTC%2C_and_Tyler_2009_%283459834246%29.jpg/1280px-Cherry_Jones%2C_KTC%2C_and_Tyler_2009_%283459834246%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Star of 24, Transparent, and many Broadway productions. NYC Jan. '19. (2019)](https://film.one/media/person/9831/gallery-17cc1f0b4013.jpg) Star of 24, Transparent, and many Broadway productions. NYC Jan. '19. (2019) — Greg2600, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/07/Cherry_Jones_%2832020679397%29.jpg/1280px-Cherry_Jones_%2832020679397%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Actress Cherry Jones at TV series 24's season 7 finale screening at Wadsworth Theatre, Los Angeles, California. (2009)](https://film.one/media/person/9831/gallery-ef7caead459c.jpg) Actress Cherry Jones at TV series 24's season 7 finale screening at Wadsworth Theatre, Los Angeles, California. (2009) — Kristin Dos Santos, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/21/Cherry_Jones_2009.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Cherry Jones](https://film.one/media/person/9831/gallery-8723126482d2.jpg) Cherry Jones — Image via TMDB
- ![Cherry Jones](https://film.one/media/person/9831/gallery-dfe656af3da0.jpg) Cherry Jones — Image via TMDB
- ![The cast of TV series 24 at series' season 7 finale screening at Wadsworth Theatre, Los Angeles, California. From left: Cherry Jones, Sprague Grayden, Mary Lynn (2009)](https://film.one/media/person/9831/gallery-d0c13e0bfae0.jpg) The cast of TV series 24 at series' season 7 finale screening at Wadsworth Theatre, Los Angeles, California. From left: Cherry Jones, Sprague Grayden, Mary Lynn (2009) — Kristin Dos Santos, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/45/The_cast_of_24_2009.jpg/1280px-The_cast_of_24_2009.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![The cast of TV series 24 at series' season 7 finale screening at Wadsworth Theatre, Los Angeles, California. From left: Cherry Jones, Sprague Grayden, Mary Lynn (2009)](https://film.one/media/person/9831/gallery-2179057088ec.jpg) The cast of TV series 24 at series' season 7 finale screening at Wadsworth Theatre, Los Angeles, California. From left: Cherry Jones, Sprague Grayden, Mary Lynn (2009) — Kristin Dos Santos, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5e/The_cast_of_24_2009_%28cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)

## Awards

### Primetime Emmy Awards — 1 won

- 2009: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series (won), for *24*

### Other awards — 4 won, 3 nominated

- Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play 2014: Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play (nominated)
- Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Lead Actress 2005: Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Lead Actress (won)
- Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play 2005: Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play (won)
- Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play 2000: Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play (nominated)
- Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Lead Actress 1998: Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Lead Actress (won)
- Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play 1995: Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play (won)
- Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play 1991: Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play (nominated)

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/cherry-jones