---
name: "Embeth Davidtz"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/embeth-davidtz"
fi1m_id: "embeth-davidtz"
imdb_id: "nm0001110"
tmdb_id: 6368
wikidata_id: "Q260622"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "11 August 1965"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 5
average_fi1m_score: 70
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 5
updated: "2026-10-07T14:32:38.806503+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."
---

# Embeth Davidtz

## Identity

Embeth Davidtz

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/embeth-davidtz
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** embeth-davidtz
- **IMDb ID:** nm0001110
- **TMDB ID:** 6368
- **Wikidata ID:** Q260622
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Embeth_Davidtz, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q260622, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001110/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/6368

Actor. Born 11 August 1965 in Lafayette, Indiana, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 11 August 1965, Lafayette, Indiana, USA
- **Active:** 1993–2014
- **Also known as:** Embeth Jean Davidtz, امبت دیویتز
- **Frequently works with:** [Andrew Garfield](https://film.one/person/andrew-garfield.md), [Avi Arad](https://film.one/person/avi-arad.md), [Emma Stone](https://film.one/person/emma-stone.md), [Marc Webb](https://film.one/person/marc-webb.md), [Matt Tolmach](https://film.one/person/matt-tolmach.md)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 70, as actor, over 5 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1990s 91 (1), 2000s 72 (2), 2010s 59 (2)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 70 to 67 across 5 titles
- **Score spread:** 2 at 80+, 2 at 60–79, 1 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 0 of 4 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 3, Action 2, Adventure 2, Comedy 2, Science Fiction 2, History 1
- **Screen time:** 9 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $2,079m across 4 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Embeth_Davidtz, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q260622, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001110/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/6368

## Streaming the US now

- **Disney+:** [*The Amazing Spider-Man*](https://film.one/film/the-amazing-spider-man.md) (64), [*The Amazing Spider-Man 2*](https://film.one/film/the-amazing-spider-man-2.md) (54)
- **Hulu:** [*Bridget Jones's Diary*](https://film.one/film/bridget-joness-diary.md) (80)

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

## Fi1m on Embeth Davidtz

> Embeth Davidtz makes gentleness credible without making it helpless, and gives haughty characters an equally firm sense of themselves. We value her dramatic restraint most, and wish more of her supporting parts gave it room.

As Helen Hirsch in *Schindler's List* (1993), Embeth Davidtz makes fear register without letting it become the only thing we see in an abused maid. We found the performance deeply upsetting because her quiet resilience makes Helen feel like a person we have come to care about. Steven Spielberg sometimes presses too hard for tears in this film; Davidtz's restraint needs no such assistance. He gives this supporting character enough space for her suffering to matter individually, and Davidtz makes careful use of it.

Her early American films placed *Army of Darkness* (1992) beside that drama, an unhelpful start for anyone hoping to put her in a single category. The supporting parts continued through the 1990s, including Miss Honey, the gentle teacher in *Matilda* (1996). There, kindness has enough steel behind it to avoid becoming merely sweet.

In Sharon Maguire's *Bridget Jones's Diary* (2001), she plays Natasha, the haughty colleague and romantic rival. Her haughtiness is useful in a comedy so affectionate towards its heroine, though Natasha gives her less to work with than Helen Hirsch. We rated the film highly for its warmth and humour, with Renée Zellweger and Hugh Grant doing much of the work; Davidtz has a narrower job. She does it neatly, but Natasha is not the performance on which to judge everything she can do.

Television supplied another sharp character in Rebecca Pryce in *Mad Men* (2009), rather than simply another version of Miss Honey. The frustration is how often Davidtz has been confined to supporting parts despite the promise of her early work. We would like more parts that need the patience and emotional precision she brings to Helen.

Writing and directing *Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight* (2024), in which she also plays Nicola, marks a substantial change after those years of supporting work. We would approach it with curiosity, without assuming that her skill as an actor guarantees the film. For an introduction to her acting, begin with *Schindler's List*, provided the evening can bear it.

## Biography

Embeth Davidtz is an American-born South African actress and director. Born on 11 August 1965 in Lafayette, Indiana, she moved with her family to South Africa at the age of nine. She studied at Rhodes University in Grahamstown and began her acting career in South African theatre and film.

Davidtz gained international recognition for her role as Helen Hirsch in Steven Spielberg's *Schindler's List* (1993). She is also known for playing Miss Honey in *Matilda* (1996), Natasha in *Bridget Jones's Diary* (2001), and Mary Parker in *The Amazing Spider-Man* (2012) and its 2014 sequel. Other credits include *Bicentennial Man* (1999) and *The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo* (2011).

In 2024, Davidtz made her directorial debut with *Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight*, an adaptation of Alexandra Fuller's memoir, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival.

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

## On Fi1m (5)

- *The Amazing Spider-Man 2* (2014), Fi1m 54, as Mary Parker — [page](https://film.one/film/the-amazing-spider-man-2.md)
- *The Amazing Spider-Man* (2012), Fi1m 64, as Mary Parker — [page](https://film.one/film/the-amazing-spider-man.md)
- *Californication* (2007), Fi1m 63, as Felicia Koons — [page](https://film.one/tv/californication.md)
- *Bridget Jones's Diary* (2001), Fi1m 80, as Natasha — [page](https://film.one/film/bridget-joness-diary.md)
- *Schindler's List* (1993), Fi1m 91, as Helen Hirsch — [page](https://film.one/film/schindlers-list.md)

## Complete filmography (49)

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

- *Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight* (2025), as Nicola Fuller · Director, Screenplay, Producer
- *Retribution* (2023), as Heather Turner
- *Tales of the Walking Dead* (2022), series, as Amanda
- *Not Okay* (2022), as Judith
- *Old* (2021), as Adult Maddox
- *Love, Victor* (2020), series, as Mrs. Campbell
- *The Morning Show* (2019), series, as Paige Jacobs
- *The Secret Life of Marilyn Monroe* (2015), series, as Natasha Lytess
- *The Amazing Spider-Man 2* (2014), as Mary Parker — Fi1m 54, [page](https://film.one/film/the-amazing-spider-man-2.md)
- *Paranoia* (2013), as Judith Bolton
- *Ray Donovan* (2013), series, as Sonia Kovitzky
- *Europa Report* (2013), as Dr. Samantha Unger
- *The Amazing Spider-Man* (2012), as Mary Parker — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/the-amazing-spider-man.md)
- *The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo* (2011), as Annika Blomkvist Giannini — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/the-girl-with-the-dragon-tattoo.md)
- *3 Backyards* (2010), as The Actress
- *Winged Creatures* (2009), as Lydia Jaspersen
- *In Treatment* (2008), series, as Amy
- *Californication* (2007), series, as Felicia Koons — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/tv/californication.md)
- *Mad Men* (2007), series, as Rebecca Pryce — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/mad-men.md)
- *Fracture* (2007), as Jennifer Crawford
- *Junebug* (2005), as Madeleine
- *Matilda's Movie Magic: The Making of 'Matilda'* (2005), Thanks
- *Grey's Anatomy* (2005), series, as Nancy Shepherd (uncredited), Nancy Shepherd — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/tv/greys-anatomy.md)
- *The Emperor's Club* (2002), as Elizabeth
- *Shackleton* (2002), series, as Rosalind Chetwynd
- *Thir13en Ghosts* (2001), as Kalina
- *Scrubs* (2001), series, as Maddie
- *Citizen Baines* (2001), series, as Ellen Baines Croland
- *The Hole* (2001), as Dr. Philippa Horwood
- *Bridget Jones's Diary* (2001), as Natasha — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/bridget-joness-diary.md)
- *Bicentennial Man* (1999), as Little Miss / Portia
- *Mansfield Park* (1999), as Mary Crawford
- *Last Rites* (1999), as Dr. Lauren Riggs
- *Simon Magus* (1999), as Leah
- *The Gingerbread Man* (1998), as Mallory Doss
- *Fallen* (1998), as Gretta Milano
- *The Garden of Redemption* (1997), as Adriana
- *Matilda* (1996), as Miss Honey
- *Feast of July* (1995), as Bella Ford
- *Murder in the First* (1995), as Mary McCasslin
- *Schindler's List* (1993), as Helen Hirsch — Fi1m 91, [page](https://film.one/film/schindlers-list.md)
- *Deadly Matrimony* (1992), as Dianne Masters
- *Army of Darkness* (1992), as Sheila
- *Till Death Us Do Part* (1992), as Katherine Palliko
- *The Night of the 19th* (1991), as Tessa van Dyk
- *Sweet Murder* (1990), Actor
- *A Private Life* (1989), as Older Karen
- *Mutator* (1989), as Jennifer
- *Screen Two* (1985), series, as Older Karen

## Gallery

- ![Embeth Davidtz](https://film.one/media/person/82254/gallery-485b8fa953e5.jpg) Embeth Davidtz — Fileman67, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e9/Embeth_Davidtz.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Embeth Davidtz at the 2024 Telluride Film Festival during the Sunday Noon Seminar panel discussion.](https://film.one/media/person/82254/gallery-ffd6e97e88e7.jpg) Embeth Davidtz at the 2024 Telluride Film Festival during the Sunday Noon Seminar panel discussion. — Kevin Payravi, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5e/Embeth_Davidtz_at_the_2024_Telluride_Film_Festival.jpg/1280px-Embeth_Davidtz_at_the_2024_Telluride_Film_Festival.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Embeth Davidtz, writer and director of 'Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight', at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival](https://film.one/media/person/82254/gallery-62664c4531ab.jpg) Embeth Davidtz, writer and director of 'Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight', at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival — John Sears, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4c/Embeth_Davidtz_at_the_2024_Toronto_International_Film_Festival.jpg/1280px-Embeth_Davidtz_at_the_2024_Toronto_International_Film_Festival.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Embeth Davidtz, writer and director of 'Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight', at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival](https://film.one/media/person/82254/gallery-674adbab89f8.jpg) Embeth Davidtz, writer and director of 'Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight', at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival — John Sears, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ec/Embeth_Davidtz_at_the_2024_Toronto_International_Film_Festival_%28cropped%29.jpg/1280px-Embeth_Davidtz_at_the_2024_Toronto_International_Film_Festival_%28cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Embeth Davidtz](https://film.one/media/person/82254/gallery-3460be131001.jpg) Embeth Davidtz — Image via TMDB
- ![Embeth Davidtz](https://film.one/media/person/82254/gallery-dd95a927b15f.jpg) Embeth Davidtz — Image via TMDB
- ![Embeth Davidtz](https://film.one/media/person/82254/gallery-f9ef6622b3ba.jpg) Embeth Davidtz — Image via TMDB
- ![Embeth Davidtz, writer and director of 'Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight', at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival](https://film.one/media/person/82254/gallery-acfb58fb9f41.jpg) Embeth Davidtz, writer and director of 'Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight', at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival — John Sears, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/32/Embeth_Davidtz_at_the_2024_Toronto_International_Film_Festival_2.jpg/1280px-Embeth_Davidtz_at_the_2024_Toronto_International_Film_Festival_2.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Lexi Venter, Embeth Davidtz, and Zikhona Bali at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival red carpet for the film 'Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight'](https://film.one/media/person/82254/gallery-da4fce973539.jpg) Lexi Venter, Embeth Davidtz, and Zikhona Bali at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival red carpet for the film 'Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight' — John Sears, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/94/Lexi_Venter%2C_Embeth_Davidtz%2C_and_Zikhona_Bali_at_the_2024_Toronto_International_Film_Festival.jpg/1280px-Lexi_Venter%2C_Embeth_Davidtz%2C_and_Zikhona_Bali_at_the_2024_Toronto_International_Film_Festival.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)

---
© 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/embeth-davidtz