---
name: "Illeana Douglas"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/illeana-douglas"
fi1m_id: "illeana-douglas"
imdb_id: "nm0001152"
tmdb_id: 7796
wikidata_id: "Q269669"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "25 July 1961"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 7
average_fi1m_score: 73
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 7
updated: "2026-10-04T21:35:05.094592+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."
---

# Illeana Douglas

## Identity

Illeana Douglas

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/illeana-douglas
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** illeana-douglas
- **IMDb ID:** nm0001152
- **TMDB ID:** 7796
- **Wikidata ID:** Q269669
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illeana_Douglas, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q269669, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001152/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/7796

Actor. Born 25 July 1961 in Quincy, Massachusetts, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 25 July 1961, Quincy, Massachusetts, USA
- **Active:** 1990–2006
- **Also known as:** Illeana Douglass, Illeana Hesselberg
- **Average Fi1m score:** 73, as actor, over 7 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1990s 84 (4), 2000s 57 (3)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 76 to 68 across 6 titles
- **Score spread:** 4 at 80+, 1 at 60–79, 2 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 0 of 3 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 6, Crime 4, Comedy 2, Mystery 2, Action 1, History 1
- **Screen time:** 10 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $270m across 5 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illeana_Douglas, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q269669, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001152/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/7796

## Streaming the US now

- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Ghost World*](https://film.one/film/ghost-world.md) (84), [*Cape Fear*](https://film.one/film/cape-fear-1991.md) (71)

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

## Fi1m on Illeana Douglas

> Illeana Douglas plays women who say the thing everyone else at the table has decided not to say, and she plays them straight, without a wink. Her best work is in other people's films, a few scenes at a time, and it is usually the part you remember.

The art teacher in *Ghost World* (2001) believes every word she says. That is the joke, and Douglas never lets us see that she knows it. Roberta Allsworth takes teenage art more seriously than the teenagers do, and Douglas plays her with no flicker of irony, so the laugh comes from us and not from her. It is a small part in a film about two girls and a lonely record collector, and it is the one most people bring up first.

She began in New York doing stand-up and sketch comedy, and the timing shows. Martin Scorsese gave her a screaming part in *The Last Temptation of Christ* (1988) and then kept her on: *New York Stories* (1989), *GoodFellas* (1990) and *Cape Fear* (1991), where as Lori Davis opposite Robert De Niro she produced a scream people still talk about. The independents of the 1990s used her better. Gus Van Sant cast her in *To Die For* (1995) as Janice Maretto, the ice-skating sister with the acid tongue, and Allison Anders gave her a lead as the singer-songwriter Denise Waverly in *Grace of My Heart* (1996). Since then she has written and directed her own shorts and a web series, *Easy to Assemble*, and hosted television specials on women filmmakers.

What she does is one particular thing, done well. She plays the one person at the table who has no idea she is the funny one: blunt, over-earnest, slightly too much. Most comic actors signal to the audience; Douglas withholds, and the character stays a person rather than a turn. Watching *Ghost World* again, we found Roberta funnier and sadder than we remembered, because Douglas will not let her be a fool, and Terry Zwigoff's film, which is hard on nearly everyone in it, is a little kinder for having her there.

The limit was set by the industry rather than by her. The studio films after 2000 gave her a scene or two and moved on, and a scene or two is not enough for the trick to work; the earnestness needs time to build before it turns funny. Her one sustained lead, in *Grace of My Heart*, is the film to look for if you want to see what she does when given the whole running time. She has said, "I'm a big fan of Albert Brooks, Nichols and May. I'd like to follow in their footsteps and do comedy films." On the evidence she has been in them all along, playing the one character who did not know it was a comedy.

## Biography

Illeana Douglas is an American actress and filmmaker. She trained at the Neighborhood Playhouse in New York and began her career with small roles, including work for Martin Scorsese.

She is known for supporting parts in *GoodFellas* (1990), *Cape Fear* (1991), *To Die For* (1995), *Grace of My Heart* (1996) and *Ghost World* (2001), in which she played Roberta Allsworth. On television she has appeared in *Seinfeld*, *Six Feet Under* (for which she received a Primetime Emmy nomination), *Law & Order: Special Victims Unit* and *Modern Family*.

Douglas has also directed short films, created and starred in the web series *Easy to Assemble*, and hosted programmes on Turner Classic Movies. She is a granddaughter of actor Melvyn Douglas.

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

## On Fi1m (7)

- *Shark* (2006), Fi1m 55, as Gloria Dent — [page](https://film.one/tv/shark.md)
- *The Adventures of Pluto Nash* (2002), Fi1m 32, as Dr. Mona Zimmer — [page](https://film.one/film/the-adventures-of-pluto-nash.md)
- *Ghost World* (2001), Fi1m 84, as Roberta Allsworth — [page](https://film.one/film/ghost-world.md)
- *Quiz Show* (1994), Fi1m 84, as Woman at Book Party — [page](https://film.one/film/quiz-show.md)
- *Homicide: Life on the Street* (1993), Fi1m 89, as Gina Doolen — [page](https://film.one/tv/homicide-life-on-the-street.md)
- *Cape Fear* (1991), Fi1m 71, as Lori Davis — [page](https://film.one/film/cape-fear-1991.md)
- *GoodFellas* (1990), Fi1m 93, as Rosie — [page](https://film.one/film/goodfellas.md)

## Complete filmography (112)

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

- *In Fidelity* (2024), as Ethel
- *Abomination* (2023), as Merga
- *Made for Each Other* (2023), as Doris
- *Just One Kiss* (2022), as Marlene
- *Time Warp Vol. 3: Comedy and Camp* (2020), as Host
- *Time Warp Vol. 2: Horror and Sci-Fi* (2020), as Host
- *All Rise* (2019), series, as Beatrix Rycroft
- *Unleashed* (2017), as Monty
- *Search Party* (2016), series, as Annabelle — Fi1m 92, [page](https://film.one/tv/search-party-2016.md)
- *Goliath* (2016), series, as Rita
- *The Late Bloomer* (2016), as Linda
- *Max Rose* (2016), as Jenny Flowers
- *Chez Upshaw* (2015), as Rita Upshaw
- *Mega Shark vs. Kolossus* (2015), as Dr. Alison Gray
- *Return to Sender* (2015), as Judy
- *Pearly Gates* (2015), as Karen
- *She's Funny That Way* (2015), as Judy
- *Road Hard* (2015), as Kim Madsen
- *All-Stars* (2014), as Billie Burke
- *The Boxcar Children* (2014), as Mary (voice)
- *Chasing Life* (2014), series, as Dominic's Mother
- *Sister* (2014), as Aunt Connie
- *Welcome to Sweden* (2014), series, as Nancy
- *A Country Christmas* (2013), as Susan Satcher
- *Dark Around the Stars* (2013), as Dayton
- *It's Dark Here* (2013), as Linda Tennies
- *The Green* (2011), as Trish
- *4 Wedding Planners* (2011), as Miriam
- *The Cape* (2011), series, as Netta Stilton
- *Suite 7* (2010), series, as Livvie · Writer, Producer
- *The Webventures of Justin and Alden* (2010), series, Producer
- *Modern Family* (2009), series, as Janet — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/tv/modern-family.md)
- *Life Is Hot in Cracktown* (2009), as Mommy
- *April Showers* (2009), as Sally
- *Easy to Assemble* (2008), series, as Illeana Douglas
- *Osso Bucco* (2008), as Megan
- *Otis* (2008), as Kate Lawson
- *The Year of Getting to Know Us* (2008), as Christine Jacobson
- *Walk the Talk* (2007), as Jill
- *The List* (2007), as Donna
- *Expired* (2007), as Wilma
- *Factory Girl* (2006), as Diana Vreeland
- *The Temp Life* (2006), series, as Eve Randall
- *Ugly Betty* (2006), series, as Sheila
- *Shark* (2006), series, as Gloria Dent — Fi1m 55, [page](https://film.one/tv/shark.md)
- *Pittsburgh* (2006), Actor
- *Not Like Everyone Else* (2006), as Toni Blackbear
- *The Bondage* (2006), as Elaine Edwards
- *Crumbs* (2006), series, as Shelley
- *The Californians* (2005), as Olive Ransom
- *Alchemy* (2005), as KJ
- *Grey's Anatomy* (2005), series, as Dr. Alma — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/tv/greys-anatomy.md)
- *Stories of Lost Souls* (2004), Director, Writer
- *Missing Brendan* (2004), as Julie Conroy
- *Entourage* (2004), series, as Marcie — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/tv/entourage.md)
- *The Kiss* (2003), as Joyce Rothman
- *Supermarket* (2003), Director, Writer
- *Devil Talk* (2003), Writer, Director
- *Dummy* (2002), as Heidi Schoichet
- *The Adventures of Pluto Nash* (2002), as Dr. Mona Zimmer — Fi1m 32, [page](https://film.one/film/the-adventures-of-pluto-nash.md)
- *Point of Origin* (2002), as Kate
- *The New Guy* (2002), as Kiki Pierce
- *Life Without Dick* (2002), Producer
- *Law & Order: Criminal Intent* (2001), series, as Beverly Tyson
- *Strange Frequency* (2001), series, as Dr. Helen Mead
- *Ghost World* (2001), as Roberta Allsworth — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/ghost-world.md)
- *Six Feet Under* (2001), series, as Angela — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/tv/six-feet-under.md)
- *CSI: Crime Scene Investigation* (2000), series, as Ruby Banks
- *The Next Best Thing* (2000), as Elizabeth Ryder
- *Happy, Texas* (1999), as Doreen Schaefer
- *Law & Order: Special Victims Unit* (1999), series, as Defense Attorney Gina Bernardo
- *Action* (1999), series, as Wendy Ward
- *Stir of Echoes* (1999), as Lisa Weil
- *Rockin' Roller Coaster—Preshow* (1999), Actor
- *Flypaper* (1999), as Laura
- *Lansky* (1999), as Anna Lansky
- *Message in a Bottle* (1999), as Lina Paul
- *Can't Stop Dancing* (1999), as Anita Dick
- *The Thin Pink Line* (1998), as Julia Bullock
- *Brother's Keeper* (1998), series, as Ginny
- *Bella Mafia* (1997), as Teresa Scorpio Luciano
- *Sink Or Swim* (1997), as Georgia
- *Picture Perfect* (1997), as Darcy
- *Rough Riders* (1997), series, as Edith Roosevelt
- *Weapons of Mass Distraction* (1997), as Rita Pascoe
- *Wedding Bell Blues* (1996), as Jasmine
- *Four Tales of Two Cities* (1996), Director
- *Grace of My Heart* (1996), as Denise Waverly / Edna Buxton
- *Judgement* (1995), as Laurel
- *Boy Crazy, Girl Crazer* (1995), as Celena · Writer, Director
- *To Die For* (1995), as Janice Maretto
- *The Single Guy* (1995), series, as Martha
- *The Drew Carey Show* (1995), series, as Rachel Murray
- *Search and Destroy* (1995), as Marie Davenport
- *Everybody Just Stay Calm* (1994), Director
- *Quiz Show* (1994), as Woman at Book Party — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/quiz-show.md)
- *Grief* (1994), as Leslie
- *The Perfect Woman* (1993), Writer, Director
- *Frasier* (1993), series, as Kenny's Wife — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/frasier.md)
- *Household Saints* (1993), as Evelyn Santangelo
- *Homicide: Life on the Street* (1993), series, as Gina Doolen — Fi1m 89, [page](https://film.one/tv/homicide-life-on-the-street.md)
- *Alive* (1993), as Lilliana Methol
- *The Larry Sanders Show* (1992), series, as Illeana Douglas — Fi1m 91, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-larry-sanders-show.md)
- *Cape Fear* (1991), as Lori Davis — Fi1m 71, [page](https://film.one/film/cape-fear-1991.md)
- *Guilty by Suspicion* (1991), as Nan
- *GoodFellas* (1990), as Rosie — Fi1m 93, [page](https://film.one/film/goodfellas.md)
- *The Simpsons* (1989), series, as New age clerk (voice) — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-simpsons.md)
- *Seinfeld* (1989), series, as Loretta — Fi1m 90, [page](https://film.one/tv/seinfeld.md)
- *New York Stories* (1989), as Paulette’s Friend
- *The Last Temptation of Christ* (1988), as Crowd Member (voice)
- *Hello Again* (1987), as Mother in Park
- *The Man Who Changed the World*, as Rae Stanwick

## Gallery

- ![Illeana Douglas](https://film.one/media/person/97224/gallery-2c0f72411f80.jpg) Illeana Douglas — Lan Bui, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/47/Ileana_Douglas_cropped.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Actress Illeana Douglas, TCM Classic Film Festival 2010](https://film.one/media/person/97224/gallery-d3eb6aad04b1.jpg) Actress Illeana Douglas, TCM Classic Film Festival 2010 — Greg Hernandez, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/53/Illeana_Douglas_2010.jpg/1280px-Illeana_Douglas_2010.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![LA Film Festival Cocktail Party (2007)](https://film.one/media/person/97224/gallery-763a164e83c8.jpg) LA Film Festival Cocktail Party (2007) — sagindie, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0b/Illeana_Douglas_SAGINDIE.jpg/1280px-Illeana_Douglas_SAGINDIE.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Illeana Douglas at the Independent Spirit Awards in Los Angeles on March 5th, 2010.](https://film.one/media/person/97224/gallery-1eb45dd45dc2.jpg) Illeana Douglas 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/a/a2/Illeana_Douglas_at_the_2010_Independent_Spirit_Awards.jpg/1280px-Illeana_Douglas_at_the_2010_Independent_Spirit_Awards.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Illeana Douglas](https://film.one/media/person/97224/gallery-3bc99ad573e8.jpg) Illeana Douglas — Image via TMDB
- ![Illeana Douglas](https://film.one/media/person/97224/gallery-0b071687f87f.jpg) Illeana Douglas — Image via TMDB
- ![Jeff Goldblum, Kliph Nesteroff, and Illeana Douglas attend a book event in Hollywood. (2015)](https://film.one/media/person/97224/gallery-5f7a00f995f7.png) Jeff Goldblum, Kliph Nesteroff, and Illeana Douglas attend a book event in Hollywood. (2015) — Blaine Washington, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/07/Jeff_Goldblum%2C_Kliph_Nesteroff%2C_and_Illeana_Douglas_attend_a_book_event_in_Hollywood.png?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Thanks for viewing the official Streamy Awards photos! The exclusive photos of the winners and presenters are here. You don't want to miss those! We could not h (2010)](https://film.one/media/person/97224/gallery-146c7653cbb8.jpg) Thanks for viewing the official Streamy Awards photos! The exclusive photos of the winners and presenters are here. You don't want to miss those! We could not h (2010) — The Bui Brothers, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0c/Streamy_Awards_Photo_1345_%284513299887%29.jpg/1280px-Streamy_Awards_Photo_1345_%284513299887%29.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/illeana-douglas