---
name: "Jenette Goldstein"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/jenette-goldstein"
fi1m_id: "jenette-goldstein"
imdb_id: "nm0001280"
tmdb_id: 3981
wikidata_id: "Q263964"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "4 February 1960"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 7
average_fi1m_score: 79
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 7
updated: "2026-10-05T04:18:44.159690+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."
---

# Jenette Goldstein

## Identity

Jenette Goldstein

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/jenette-goldstein
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** jenette-goldstein
- **IMDb ID:** nm0001280
- **TMDB ID:** 3981
- **Wikidata ID:** Q263964
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jenette_Goldstein, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q263964, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001280/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/3981

Actor. Born 4 February 1960 in Los Angeles, California, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 4 February 1960, Los Angeles, California, USA
- **Active:** 1986–2001
- **Also known as:** Jenette Elise Goldstein, جنت گلدستاین
- **Frequently works with:** [James Cameron](https://film.one/person/james-cameron.md), [Lance Henriksen](https://film.one/person/lance-henriksen.md)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 79, as actor, over 7 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1980s 82 (3), 1990s 73 (3), 2000s 86 (1)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 79 to 74 across 7 titles
- **Score spread:** 5 at 80+, 1 at 60–79, 1 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 0 of 4 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Action 4, Thriller 4, Science Fiction 3, Drama 2, Adventure 1, Crime 1
- **Screen time:** 13 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $3,315m across 6 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jenette_Goldstein, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q263964, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001280/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/3981

## Streaming the US now

- **Apple TV:** [*Aliens*](https://film.one/film/aliens.md) (91)
- **Hulu:** [*Terminator 2: Judgment Day*](https://film.one/film/terminator-2-judgment-day.md) (88)

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

## Fi1m on Jenette Goldstein

> Jenette Goldstein makes tough supporting characters physically credible, even when the writing stops at toughness. We value her conviction, especially in *Aliens*, while wishing Vasquez had been given more of a life beyond her duties.

Private Vasquez is a smart-gun operator in *Aliens* (1986), and Jenette Goldstein makes us believe she is equal to the job. She gives us a soldier we can place quickly within the unit. We enjoyed her physical certainty, then felt frustrated by how little quieter time James Cameron gives her. His screenplay sometimes treats the marines' rowdiness as sufficient characterisation, and Goldstein cannot supply every detail it leaves out. She is worth watching even where the writing settles for a type.

*Aliens* was her first film role, though the supporting work that followed was not confined to soldiers. She played Diamondback in Kathryn Bigelow's *Near Dark* (1987), Meagan Shapiro in *Lethal Weapon 2* (1989) and Janelle Voight in Cameron's *Terminator 2: Judgment Day* (1991). Her appearance and physical manner change enough between parts to make recognition difficult. We value that willingness to look and move differently, particularly in an actor so readily associated with toughness.

The make-up used for Vasquez needs separating from the performance. Goldstein was not Latina, and make-up and contact lenses were used to present her as a Latina character. We cannot treat that as just another example of an actor changing her appearance. Her physical work deserves credit, but the casting was a poor choice.

*Terminator 2* is an excellent action film, although its sentimental middle is a weakness, and Linda Hamilton supplies the urgency we most remember. Goldstein's supporting part is not the chief reason to recommend it. Cameron returned to her for the Irish Mother cameo in *Titanic* (1997), but larger parts did not become the pattern. We would welcome a part that let her keep that physical authority without having to establish everything in a hurry. Start with *Aliens*, where her physical commitment gives us reason to wish Cameron had written Vasquez a little more generously.

## Biography

Jenette Goldstein is an American actress. Born on 4 February 1960 in Los Angeles, California, she trained at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art in London and at Circle in the Square Theater in New York.

She is known for her collaborations with director James Cameron. Goldstein played Private Vasquez in *Aliens* (1986), for which she won a Saturn Award, Janelle Voight in *Terminator 2: Judgment Day* (1991), and an Irish mother in *Titanic* (1997). Other film roles include Diamondback in *Near Dark* (1987) and Meagan Shapiro in *Lethal Weapon 2* (1989). She has also appeared in guest roles on television series including *ER*, *Six Feet Under* and *24*.

Goldstein is the owner of Jenette Bras, a specialist bra and swimwear retailer.

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

## On Fi1m (7)

- *Six Feet Under* (2001), Fi1m 86, as Obstetrician — [page](https://film.one/tv/six-feet-under.md)
- *Titanic* (1997), Fi1m 84, as Irish Mommy — [page](https://film.one/film/titanic.md)
- *Star Trek: Generations* (1994), Fi1m 48, as Science Officer — [page](https://film.one/film/star-trek-generations.md)
- *Terminator 2: Judgment Day* (1991), Fi1m 88, as Janelle Voight — [page](https://film.one/film/terminator-2-judgment-day.md)
- *Lethal Weapon 2* (1989), Fi1m 74, as Meagan Shapiro — [page](https://film.one/film/lethal-weapon-2.md)
- *Near Dark* (1987), Fi1m 82, as Diamondback — [page](https://film.one/film/near-dark.md)
- *Aliens* (1986), Fi1m 91, as Private Vasquez — [page](https://film.one/film/aliens.md)

## Complete filmography (33)

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

- *The Quiet Between Storms* (2026), Actor
- *Action Women* (2020), Actor
- *Star Trek: Short Treks* (2018), series, as USS Enterprise Computer (voice)
- *Autopsy* (2008), as Nurse Marian
- *SMUT* (2006), as Mary Jane
- *The Inside* (2005), series, as Traci Armstrong
- *Medium* (2005), series, as Mrs. Pinsley
- *Duplex* (2003), as Moderator
- *Clockstoppers* (2002), as Doctor
- *24* (2001), series, as Rae Placheki — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/24.md)
- *Six Feet Under* (2001), series, as Obstetrician — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/tv/six-feet-under.md)
- *Strong Medicine* (2000), series, as An unnamed friend
- *Living Out Loud* (1998), as Fanny
- *L.A. Doctors* (1998), series, Actor
- *Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas* (1998), as Maid
- *Senseless* (1998), as Nurse Alvarez
- *Titanic* (1997), as Irish Mommy — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/titanic.md)
- *Touch Me* (1997), as Gabrielle
- *7th Heaven* (1996), series, as Mrs. Reese
- *Fair Game* (1995), as Rosa
- *Star Trek: Generations* (1994), as Science Officer — Fi1m 48, [page](https://film.one/film/star-trek-generations.md)
- *ER* (1994), series, as Judy Stiles — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/er.md)
- *Donato and Daughter* (1993), as Det. Judy McCartney
- *Terminator 2: Judgment Day* (1991), as Janelle Voight — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/film/terminator-2-judgment-day.md)
- *Lethal Weapon 2* (1989), as Meagan Shapiro — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/lethal-weapon-2.md)
- *Miracle Mile* (1989), as Beverly Hills Chick #1
- *The Presidio* (1988), as Patti Jean Lynch
- *Martini Ranch: Reach* (1988), as Posse Member
- *Near Dark* (1987), as Diamondback — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/near-dark.md)
- *Max Headroom* (1987), series, Actor
- *L.A. Law* (1986), series, as Tanya Geiss
- *Aliens* (1986), as Private Vasquez — Fi1m 91, [page](https://film.one/film/aliens.md)
- *MacGyver* (1985), series, as Rachel Bradley

## Gallery

- ![Jenette Goldstein](https://film.one/media/person/78358/gallery-337bcdf9c14c.png) Jenette Goldstein — Sideways Entertainment, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8a/Jenette_Goldstein_2020.png?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Carrie Henn, Carl Toop, Mark Rolston, James Cameron, Gale Anne Hurd, Ricco Ross, Jenette Goldstein, Cynthia Scott, & Matt Winston at the 53rd Saturn Awards (2026)](https://film.one/media/person/78358/gallery-004153caee59.jpg) Carrie Henn, Carl Toop, Mark Rolston, James Cameron, Gale Anne Hurd, Ricco Ross, Jenette Goldstein, Cynthia Scott, & Matt Winston at the 53rd Saturn Awards (2026) — Kevin Paul, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/95/Aliens_at_53rd_Saturn_Awards_2026-01.jpg/1280px-Aliens_at_53rd_Saturn_Awards_2026-01.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Carrie Henn, Carl Toop, Mark Rolston, James Cameron, Gale Anne Hurd, Ricco Ross, Jenette Goldstein, Cynthia Scott, & Matt Winston at the 53rd Saturn Awards (2026)](https://film.one/media/person/78358/gallery-8ec3c03318d1.jpg) Carrie Henn, Carl Toop, Mark Rolston, James Cameron, Gale Anne Hurd, Ricco Ross, Jenette Goldstein, Cynthia Scott, & Matt Winston at the 53rd Saturn Awards (2026) — Kevin Paul, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2b/Aliens_at_53rd_Saturn_Awards_2026-02.jpg/1280px-Aliens_at_53rd_Saturn_Awards_2026-02.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Cynthia Scott & Jenette Goldstein at the 53rd Saturn Awards (2026)](https://film.one/media/person/78358/gallery-9367a8fbbb9d.jpg) Cynthia Scott & Jenette Goldstein at the 53rd Saturn Awards (2026) — Kevin Paul, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6e/Cynthia_Scott_%26_Jenette_Goldstein_at_53rd_Saturn_Awards_2026-01.jpg/1280px-Cynthia_Scott_%26_Jenette_Goldstein_at_53rd_Saturn_Awards_2026-01.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Jenette Goldstein](https://film.one/media/person/78358/gallery-7f3b3b939857.jpg) Jenette Goldstein — Image via TMDB
- ![Jenette Goldstein](https://film.one/media/person/78358/gallery-f31d4412adfb.jpg) Jenette Goldstein — Image via TMDB
- ![Cynthia Scott & Jenette Goldstein at the 53rd Saturn Awards (2026)](https://film.one/media/person/78358/gallery-34d013eea81c.jpg) Cynthia Scott & Jenette Goldstein at the 53rd Saturn Awards (2026) — Kevin Paul, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d2/Cynthia_Scott_%26_Jenette_Goldstein_at_53rd_Saturn_Awards_2026-02.jpg/1280px-Cynthia_Scott_%26_Jenette_Goldstein_at_53rd_Saturn_Awards_2026-02.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Cynthia Scott & Jenette Goldstein at the 53rd Saturn Awards (2026)](https://film.one/media/person/78358/gallery-f9c7d5d8af28.jpg) Cynthia Scott & Jenette Goldstein at the 53rd Saturn Awards (2026) — Kevin Paul, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/71/Cynthia_Scott_%26_Jenette_Goldstein_at_53rd_Saturn_Awards_2026-03.jpg/1280px-Cynthia_Scott_%26_Jenette_Goldstein_at_53rd_Saturn_Awards_2026-03.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/jenette-goldstein