--- name: "Frances Fisher" canonical: "https://film.one/person/frances-fisher" fi1m_id: "frances-fisher" imdb_id: "nm0004920" tmdb_id: 3713 wikidata_id: "Q35011" roles: ["Actor"] born: "11 May 1952" reviewed_on_fi1m: 7 average_fi1m_score: 76 average_as: "actor" average_over: 6 updated: "2026-10-23T04:13:35.124156+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." --- # Frances Fisher ## Identity Frances Fisher - **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/frances-fisher - **Type:** Person - **Fi1m ID:** frances-fisher - **IMDb ID:** nm0004920 - **TMDB ID:** 3713 - **Wikidata ID:** Q35011 - **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frances_Fisher, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q35011, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0004920/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/3713 Actor. Born 11 May 1952 in Milford-on-the-sea, Hampshire, England, UK. ## Details - **Work:** Actor - **Born:** 11 May 1952, Milford-on-the-sea, Hampshire, England, UK - **Active:** 1992–present - **Also known as:** Francis Fisher - **Titles on Fi1m:** 7: 6 acting, 1 other - **Average Fi1m score:** 76, as actor, over 6 titles - **Fi1m score by decade:** 1980s 81 (1), 1990s 88 (2), 2000s 56 (2), 2010s 84 (2) - **Fi1m against the critics:** 77 to 72 across 5 titles - **Score spread:** 4 at 80+, 1 at 60–79, 1 under 60 - **Lead roles:** 0 of 3 acting credits billed first or second - **Genres:** Drama 4, Crime 3, Action 1, Action & Adventure 1, Romance 1, Sci-Fi & Fantasy 1 - **Screen time:** 7 hours of reviewed films - **Box office:** $2,661m across 3 films with figures - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frances_Fisher, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q35011, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0004920/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/3713 ## Streaming the US now - **Paramount+:** [*Titanic*](https://film.one/film/titanic.md) (84) For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country. ## Fi1m on Frances Fisher > Frances Fisher is a precise, persuasive supporting actor, particularly as women determined to preserve their social standing. We value how quickly posture and voice establish a character; we would often like the writing to give her more. In *Titanic* (1997), Frances Fisher makes Ruth DeWitt Bukater's social rigidity visible in the way she carries herself. Posture and voice establish the society mother quickly; her concern with status needs little explanation. Deborah Scott's costumes help: Fisher has credited them with making Ruth easy to inhabit. We rate the precision of this performance, which gives James Cameron's romance a firm sense of the social expectations surrounding its characters. The breakthrough had come with Clint Eastwood's *Unforgiven* (1992), in which she plays Strawberry Alice. The film earns our strongest recommendation, but its treatment of Fisher also gives us pause. We felt short-changed by how little attention Alice receives, because the screenplay spends so much more time examining the men's lives. We wanted to know more about her, and a more emphatic performance could hardly provide what the writing leaves out. Her substantial stage background helps explain that economy with posture and voice, though screen work has mostly called on her to establish people in supporting parts. Television initially offered something more sustained: she played Deborah Saxon in *The Edge of Night* from 1976 to 1981. After the wider recognition of *Titanic*, supporting film work and recurring or guest television roles remained the pattern. Mary Windsor in *The Lincoln Lawyer* (2011) and Jane Crawford in *Watchmen* (2019) belong to that later stretch, rather than to a move into regular film leads. There is a risk in being this useful to an ensemble: filmmakers can rely on Fisher to establish an authoritative woman without giving her much further attention. Mothers and women anxious about their social standing recur in her work, and the physical detail makes those parts worth watching. We would like more films to stay with these women once she has introduced them. Start with *Titanic* for that economical character work; approach *Unforgiven* prepared to wish it spent longer in her company. ## Biography Frances Fisher is an English-born American actress. She was born on 11 May 1952 in Milford-on-the-Sea, Hampshire, England. She began her career in theatre, apprenticing at the Barter Theatre in Virginia, and spent fourteen years based in New York City performing in regional and off-Broadway productions. She later appeared as Detective Deborah Saxon in the ABC daytime soap opera *The Edge of Night* (1976–1981). Fisher is known for her film roles as Strawberry Alice in *Unforgiven* (1992), directed by Clint Eastwood, and as Ruth DeWitt Bukater in *Titanic* (1997), directed by James Cameron. She has also appeared in films including *Gone in Sixty Seconds* (2000), *The Lincoln Lawyer* (2011) and *The Host* (2013), and in television series such as *Grey's Anatomy*, *The Mentalist*, *Criminal Minds* and *The Rookie*. *Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com, themoviedb.org.* ## On Fi1m (7) ### Performed in (6) — the average rests on these - *Fargo* (2014), Fi1m 82, as Vivian — [page](https://film.one/tv/fargo-2014.md) - *Rectify* (2013), Fi1m 87, as Peggy — [page](https://film.one/tv/rectify.md) - *Torchwood* (2006), Fi1m 73, as The Mother — [page](https://film.one/tv/torchwood.md) - *Gone in Sixty Seconds* (2000), Fi1m 40, as Junie — [page](https://film.one/film/gone-in-sixty-seconds.md) - *Titanic* (1997), Fi1m 84, as Ruth DeWitt Bukater — [page](https://film.one/film/titanic.md) - *Unforgiven* (1992), Fi1m 92, as Strawberry Alice — [page](https://film.one/film/unforgiven.md) ### Also credited (1) — thanks, archive footage, uncredited - *Big* (1988), Fi1m 81, as Billy's Mother (uncredited) — [page](https://film.one/film/big.md) ## Complete filmography (141) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *The Wrong Paris* (2025), as Birdie - *Out of the Woods* (2025), Actor - *Rust* (2024), as Evelyn Basset - *The King Tide* (2024), as Faye - *Desert Road* (2024), as Homeless Woman - *Reptile* (2023), as Camille Grady - *On Sacred Ground* (2023), as Ricky - *This Is Not a War Story* (2021), as Dora Casale - *Awake* (2021), as Doris - *Grace and Grit* (2021), as Sue - *Holidate* (2020), as Elaine - *Watchmen* (2019), series, as Jane Crawford — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/watchmen-2019.md) - *Run the Race* (2019), as Louise - *The Rookie* (2018), series, as Evelyn Nolan - *Shrimp* (2018), as Marie - *Marrying Mr. Darcy* (2018), as Violet Darcy - *Another Kind of Wedding* (2017), as Tammy Bergman - *The Sinner* (2017), series, as Meg Muldoon - *An American Girl Story - Melody 1963: Love Has to Win* (2016), as Miss Abbot - *A Beautiful Day* (2016), as Bev - *Swedish Dicks* (2016), series, as Warden Johnson - *Titanic: Sinking the Myths* (2016), as D.E. Bristow - *Love on the Run* (2016), as Delores - *Outlaws and Angels* (2016), as Esther - *Unleashing Mr. Darcy* (2016), as Violet Darcy - *The Expanse* (2015), series, as Elise Holden — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-expanse.md) - *Woman in Gold* (2015), as Barbara Schoenberg - *Portrait of Love* (2015), as Doll Dwyer - *You're Not You* (2014), as Gwen - *Resurrection* (2014), series, as Lucille Langston - *The M Word* (2014), as Carson Riley - *Fargo* (2014), series, as Vivian — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/fargo-2014.md) - *Red Wing* (2013), as Momma B - *Masters of Sex* (2013), series, as Edna Eshelman — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/tv/masters-of-sex.md) - *Plush* (2013), as Camila - *Rectify* (2013), series, as Peggy — Fi1m 87, [page](https://film.one/tv/rectify.md) - *The Host* (2013), as Maggie Stryder - *The Makeover* (2013), as Allie Doolittle - *Any Day Now* (2012), as Judge Meyerson - *Retribution* (2012), as Betty - *The Seven Year Hitch* (2012), as Mrs. Von Hoffman - *Beverly Hills Chihuahua 3: Viva la Fiesta!* (2012), as Amelia Jones - *The Silent Thief* (2012), as Candi Henderson - *Final Cut: Ladies and Gentlemen* (2012), as (archive footage) - *Touch* (2012), series, as Nicole Farington - *A Gifted Man* (2011), series, as Blanche Tipton - *Grow Up Already* (2011), as Mom - *Golf in the Kingdom* (2011), as Eve Greene - *The Lincoln Lawyer* (2011), as Mary Windsor - *Sedona* (2011), as Tammy - *The Roommate* (2011), as Rebecca's Mom - *Jolene* (2010), as Cindy - *Janie Jones* (2010), as Lily - *Backyard Wedding* (2010), as Eleanor Tyler - *The Good Guys* (2010), series, as Helen Traynor - *The Perfect Game* (2009), as Betty - *Castle* (2009), series, as Matilda King — Fi1m 73, [page](https://film.one/tv/castle.md) - *To Love and Die* (2008), as Janet - *To Love and Die* (2008), series, Actor - *Childrens Hospital* (2008), series, as Headmistress - *The Mentalist* (2008), series, as Victoria Abner — Fi1m 71, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-mentalist.md) - *A Single Woman* (2008), as Narrator (voice) / Suffragist - *Sons of Anarchy* (2008), series, as Honey — Fi1m 67, [page](https://film.one/tv/sons-of-anarchy.md) - *My Sexiest Year* (2007), as Faye - *Private Practice* (2007), series, as Ruby Broome - *In the Valley of Elah* (2007), as Evie - *The Kingdom* (2007), as Elaine Flowers - *Saving Grace* (2007), series, as Aunt Cathy - *Sex and Death 101* (2007), as Hope Hartlight (#80) - *October Road* (2007), series, Actor - *Torchwood* (2006), series, as The Mother — Fi1m 73, [page](https://film.one/tv/torchwood.md) - *Eureka* (2006), series, as Eva Thorne - *The Night of the White Pants* (2006), as Vivian Hagan - *Criminal Minds* (2005), series, as Antonia Slade — Fi1m 60, [page](https://film.one/tv/criminal-minds.md) - *Mrs. Harris* (2005), as Marge Richey Jacobson - *Grey's Anatomy* (2005), series, as Betty Johnson — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/tv/greys-anatomy.md) - *Medium* (2005), series, as Abigail Marsh - *Boston Legal* (2004), series, as Carrie — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/tv/boston-legal.md) - *Laws of Attraction* (2004), as Sara Miller - *House of Sand and Fog* (2003), as Connie Walsh - *Cold Case* (2003), series, as Rachel West (2008) - *The Lyon's Den* (2003), series, as Brit Hanley - *Two and a Half Men* (2003), series, as Priscilla Honeycutt — Fi1m 55, [page](https://film.one/tv/two-and-a-half-men.md) - *Blue Car* (2003), as Delia - *The Shield* (2002), series, as Rita Denton — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-shield.md) - *Glory Days* (2002), series, as Mitzi Dolan - *Passion and Prejudice* (2001), as Dr. Gwen Barry - *The Rising Place* (2001), as Virginia Wilder - *Jackie Bouvier Kennedy Onassis* (2000), series, as Janet Lee Bouvier Auchincloss - *Jackie Bouvier Kennedy Onassis* (2000), as Janet Lee Bouvier Auchincloss - *CSI: Crime Scene Investigation* (2000), series, as Joanna Sapphire - *Gone in Sixty Seconds* (2000), as Junie — Fi1m 40, [page](https://film.one/film/gone-in-sixty-seconds.md) - *The Audrey Hepburn Story* (2000), as Ella van Heemstra - *Titus* (2000), series, as Juanita Titus - *The Big Tease* (1999), as Candy - *True Crime* (1999), as Cecilia Nussbaum - *Becker* (1998), series, as Dr. Elizabeth Carson - *Titanic* (1997), as Ruth DeWitt Bukater — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/titanic.md) - *Wild America* (1997), as Agnes Stouffer - *Trading Favors* (1997), as Librarian - *Female Perversions* (1996), as Annunciata - *Striptease* (1996), as Donna Garcia - *O. Henry's Christmas* (1996), Actor - *The Stars Fell on Henrietta* (1995), as Cora Day - *Strange Luck* (1995), series, as Angie - *The Other Mother: A Moment of Truth Movie* (1995), as Carol Schaefer - *The Outer Limits* (1995), series, as Lady Julia - *Frame-Up II: The Cover-Up* (1994), as Jo Baker - *Attack of the 50 Ft. Woman* (1994), as Dr. Theodora Cushing - *ER* (1994), series, as Helen Kingsley — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/er.md) - *Molly and Gina* (1994), as Molly McKenna - *Babyfever* (1994), as Rosie - *The X-Files* (1993), series, as Lizzy Gill — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-x-files.md) - *Praying Mantis* (1993), as Betty - *Devlin* (1992), as Maryellen - *Unforgiven* (1992), as Strawberry Alice — Fi1m 92, [page](https://film.one/film/unforgiven.md) - *Wild Blue Moon* (1992), Director, Writer - *Frame Up* (1991), as Jo Westlake - *Lucy & Desi: Before the Laughter* (1991), as Lucille Ball - *L.A. Story* (1991), as June - *Welcome Home, Roxy Carmichael* (1990), as Rochelle Bossetti - *A Promise to Keep* (1990), as Sara - *Law & Order* (1990), series, as Susan Boyd — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/tv/law-and-order.md) - *Sudie and Simpson* (1990), as Mrs. Marge Allen - *Cold Sassy Tree* (1989), as Loma Williams - *Pink Cadillac* (1989), as Dinah - *Lost Angels* (1989), as Judith Loftis - *Roseanne* (1988), series, Actor — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/roseanne.md) - *Bum Rap* (1988), as Phyllis - *Patty Hearst* (1988), as Yolanda - *Big* (1988), as Billy's Mother (uncredited) — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/film/big.md) - *Heart* (1987), as Jeannie - *Tough Guys Don't Dance* (1987), as Jessica Pond - *Broken Vows* (1987), as Maureen Phelan - *Matlock* (1986), series, as Nancy Proctor - *The Equalizer* (1985), series, as Amanda Kaufman, Francesca - *Can She Bake a Cherry Pie?* (1983), as Louise - *Newhart* (1982), series, Actor - *The Edge of Night* (1956), series, as Deborah Saxon - *Ruby Road*, as Ruby · Executive Producer - *The Call*, Actor ## Gallery - ![Frances Fisher at the Opening Night of "Queen of Versailles" on Broadway, 2025](https://film.one/media/person/79897/gallery-b89c278d7fb7.jpg) Frances Fisher at the Opening Night of "Queen of Versailles" on Broadway, 2025 — PhilipRomanoPhoto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1a/FrancesFisher-byPhilipRomano.jpg/1280px-FrancesFisher-byPhilipRomano.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Frances Fisher at a Writer's Guild of America protest (2007)](https://film.one/media/person/79897/gallery-31c02231aa2c.jpg) Frances Fisher at a Writer's Guild of America protest (2007) — lukeford.net, CC BY-SA 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/21/Frances_Fisher.JPG?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Frances Fisher at the Independent Spirit Awards in Los Angeles on March 5th, 2010.](https://film.one/media/person/79897/gallery-08d39211df9a.jpg) Frances Fisher at the Independent Spirit Awards in Los Angeles on March 5th, 2010. — Tomdog, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/29/Frances_Fisher_at_the_2010_Independent_Spirit_Awards.jpg/1280px-Frances_Fisher_at_the_2010_Independent_Spirit_Awards.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Francis Fisher by www.redcarpetreporttv.com (2014)](https://film.one/media/person/79897/gallery-7ab617706b46.jpg) Francis Fisher by www.redcarpetreporttv.com (2014) — Mingle MediaTV, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ae/Francis_Fisher_2014.jpg/1280px-Francis_Fisher_2014.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Frances Fisher](https://film.one/media/person/79897/gallery-c62be8ef114f.jpg) Frances Fisher — Image via TMDB - ![Frances Fisher](https://film.one/media/person/79897/gallery-4c14e4879bff.jpg) Frances Fisher — Image via TMDB - ![Frances Fisher](https://film.one/media/person/79897/gallery-508ea0de255f.jpg) Frances Fisher — Image via TMDB - ![Francis Fisher on a red carpet in 2014](https://film.one/media/person/79897/gallery-ebf66383ea64.jpg) Francis Fisher on a red carpet in 2014 — Mingle MediaTV, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4b/Francis_Fisher_2014_1.jpg/1280px-Francis_Fisher_2014_1.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Frances Fisher](https://film.one/media/person/79897/gallery-ea02313e0b0b.jpg) Frances Fisher — Image via TMDB --- © 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/frances-fisher