---
name: "Jennifer Jason Leigh"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/jennifer-jason-leigh"
fi1m_id: "jennifer-jason-leigh"
imdb_id: "nm0000492"
tmdb_id: 10431
wikidata_id: "Q232902"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "5 February 1962"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 16
average_fi1m_score: 76
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 15
updated: "2026-10-23T04:17:00.505035+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."
---

# Jennifer Jason Leigh

## Identity

Jennifer Jason Leigh

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/jennifer-jason-leigh
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** jennifer-jason-leigh
- **IMDb ID:** nm0000492
- **TMDB ID:** 10431
- **Wikidata ID:** Q232902
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jennifer_Jason_Leigh, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q232902, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000492/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/10431

Actor. Born 5 February 1962 in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 5 February 1962, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA
- **Active:** 1982–present
- **Also known as:** Jennifer Leigh Morrow, Jennifer Leigh, JJL
- **Titles on Fi1m:** 16: 15 acting, 1 other
- **Frequently works with:** [Adam Bernstein](https://film.one/person/adam-bernstein.md), [Charlie Kaufman](https://film.one/person/charlie-kaufman.md), [Kurt Russell](https://film.one/person/kurt-russell.md), [Matt Shakman](https://film.one/person/matt-shakman.md), [Michael Uppendahl](https://film.one/person/michael-uppendahl.md), [Paul Newman](https://film.one/person/paul-newman.md)
- **Academy Awards:** 1 Oscar nomination
- **Average Fi1m score:** 76, as actor, over 15 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1980s 70 (1), 1990s 75 (3), 2000s 80 (4), 2010s 79 (6), 2020s 70 (2)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 76 to 73 across 15 titles
- **Score spread:** 6 at 80+, 9 at 60–79, 0 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 5 of 15 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 12, Crime 6, Comedy 5, Thriller 5, Horror 2, Romance 2
- **Screen time:** 25 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $655m across 12 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jennifer_Jason_Leigh, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q232902, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000492/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/10431

## Streaming the US now

- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*The Hateful Eight*](https://film.one/film/the-hateful-eight.md) (68), [*Crime 101*](https://film.one/film/crime-101.md) (67), [*Backdraft*](https://film.one/film/backdraft.md) (62)
- **The Roku Channel:** [*Synecdoche, New York*](https://film.one/film/synecdoche-new-york.md) (84), [*The Hudsucker Proxy*](https://film.one/film/the-hudsucker-proxy.md) (78)
- **Apple TV:** [*Annihilation*](https://film.one/film/annihilation.md) (82)
- **Tubi:** [*Good Time*](https://film.one/film/good-time.md) (82)
- **Hulu:** [*Fargo*](https://film.one/tv/fargo-2014.md) (82)
- **Paramount+:** [*Weeds*](https://film.one/tv/weeds.md) (76)
- **AMC+:** [*Fast Times at Ridgemont High*](https://film.one/film/fast-times-at-ridgemont-high.md) (70)

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

## Fi1m on Jennifer Jason Leigh

> Jennifer Jason Leigh can make a clipped voice funny and a bloodied grin frightening. We rate her willingness to play abrasive women, though her precision sometimes makes us notice the acting before we feel for the character.

In *The Hudsucker Proxy* (1994), Jennifer Jason Leigh's reporter Amy Archer sounds nothing like somebody encountered in daily life. Leigh gives Amy's speech a clipped precision and makes no apology for how rehearsed it sounds. The Coen brothers provide the elaborate surroundings that make this heightened delivery fit. It is a pleasure to hear her commit so completely. The film has more trouble making us care about Tim Robbins's innocent, and her performance cannot supply all the warmth it lacks.

Her breakthrough in *Fast Times at Ridgemont High* (1982) was followed by the more extreme roles that established her reputation, including Tralala in *Last Exit to Brooklyn* (1989). Robert Altman's *Short Cuts* (1993) put her within an ensemble; *Georgia* (1995) gave her a lead role as Sadie. These parts help explain why intensity became such a persistent description of her work. It can be a limitation: sometimes we notice how hard she is working before we feel anything for the woman she is playing.

In Quentin Tarantino's *The Hateful Eight* (2015), that physical commitment is put to an unpleasant test. As Daisy Domergue, the prisoner chained to Kurt Russell's bounty hunter, she answers his blows with a bloodied grin that makes her increasingly frightening. We laughed at the first blow, then found ourselves looking at the floor as Tarantino kept presenting the assaults as jokes. Leigh makes the cruelty register even while the film persists with the gag. She is a strong reason to sit through a film we found far too long, but her work cannot settle its confusion about what is funny.

The voice role of Lisa Hesselman in *Anomalisa* (2015) belongs to her quieter work, and deserves consideration alongside the more abrasive parts. There is no need to ask her to repeat Daisy whenever a director wants someone difficult. The Coens offer a useful example: give her a setting where the unusual speech fits, and let her be funny. Start with *The Hudsucker Proxy*; leave the cabin for an evening when repeated cruelty is something you can bear.

## Biography

Jennifer Jason Leigh is an American actress, also credited as Jennifer Leigh Morrow, Jennifer Leigh and JJL. Born Jennifer Leigh Morrow on 5 February 1962 in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, she is the daughter of actor Vic Morrow and screenwriter Barbara Turner.

She began her career on television in the 1970s and made her film breakthrough in *Fast Times at Ridgemont High* (1982). Leigh received Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations for Best Supporting Actress for her performance as Daisy Domergue in *The Hateful Eight* (2015). Other notable film roles include Dr Ventress in *Annihilation* (2018), Stevie in *The Machinist* (2004) and Annie Sullivan in *Road to Perdition* (2002). She played Angie in the 2026 film *Crime 101* and Lorraine Lyon in the series *Fargo* (2014).

Leigh starred in the film *Georgia* (1995), written by her mother, and co-wrote and co-directed *The Anniversary Party* (2001) with Alan Cumming. She has also appeared in *Single White Female* (1992), *The Hudsucker Proxy* (1994) and the series *Weeds* (2009–2012).

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

## On Fi1m (16)

### Performed in (15) — the average rests on these

- *Crime 101* (2026), Fi1m 67, as Angie — [page](https://film.one/film/crime-101.md)
- *Possessor* (2020), Fi1m 73, as Girder — [page](https://film.one/film/possessor.md)
- *Annihilation* (2018), Fi1m 82, as Dr Ventress — [page](https://film.one/film/annihilation.md)
- *Patrick Melrose* (2018), Fi1m 78, as Eleanor Melrose — [page](https://film.one/tv/patrick-melrose.md)
- *Good Time* (2017), Fi1m 82, as Corey Ellman — [page](https://film.one/film/good-time.md)
- *Anomalisa* (2015), Fi1m 82, as Lisa Hesselman (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/anomalisa.md)
- *The Hateful Eight* (2015), Fi1m 68, as Daisy Domergue — [page](https://film.one/film/the-hateful-eight.md)
- *Fargo* (2014), Fi1m 82, as Lorraine Lyon — [page](https://film.one/tv/fargo-2014.md)
- *Synecdoche, New York* (2008), Fi1m 84, as Maria — [page](https://film.one/film/synecdoche-new-york.md)
- *Weeds* (2005), Fi1m 76, as Jill Price-Grey — [page](https://film.one/tv/weeds.md)
- *Road to Perdition* (2002), Fi1m 77, as Annie Sullivan — [page](https://film.one/film/road-to-perdition.md)
- *The Hudsucker Proxy* (1994), Fi1m 78, as Amy Archer — [page](https://film.one/film/the-hudsucker-proxy.md)
- *Short Cuts* (1993), Fi1m 84, as Lois Kaiser — [page](https://film.one/film/short-cuts.md)
- *Backdraft* (1991), Fi1m 62, as Jennifer Vaitkus — [page](https://film.one/film/backdraft.md)
- *Fast Times at Ridgemont High* (1982), Fi1m 70, as Stacy Hamilton — [page](https://film.one/film/fast-times-at-ridgemont-high.md)

### Also credited (1) — thanks, archive footage, uncredited

- *The Man Who Wasn't There* (2001), Fi1m 81, as Female Inmate (voice) (uncredited) — [page](https://film.one/film/the-man-who-wasnt-there.md)

## Complete filmography (119)

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

- *Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen* (2026), series, as Victoria
- *Crime 101* (2026), as Angie — Fi1m 67, [page](https://film.one/film/crime-101.md)
- *All's Fair* (2025), series, as Cheryl Goodfader
- *Night Always Comes* (2025), as Doreen
- *High Potential* (2024), series, as Willa Quinn — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/tv/high-potential.md)
- *Poolman* (2024), as Susan Kerkovish
- *Sharp Stick* (2022), as Marilyn
- *Awake* (2021), as Dr. Murphy
- *Lisey's Story* (2021), series, as Darla Debusher
- *The Woman in the Window* (2021), as Jane Russell 2
- *Possessor* (2020), as Girder — Fi1m 73, [page](https://film.one/film/possessor.md)
- *Hunters* (2020), series, as Chava Apfelbaum
- *Sid & Judy* (2019), as Judy Garland (voice)
- *The Hateful Eight* (2019), series, as Daisy Domergue
- *White Boy Rick* (2018), as Alex Snyder
- *Patrick Melrose* (2018), series, as Eleanor Melrose — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/patrick-melrose.md)
- *Annihilation* (2018), as Dr Ventress — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/annihilation.md)
- *LBJ* (2017), as Lady Bird Johnson
- *Good Time* (2017), as Corey Ellman — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/good-time.md)
- *Atypical* (2017), series, as Elsa Gardner · Producer
- *Amityville: The Awakening* (2017), as Joan Walker
- *Morgan* (2016), as Dr. Kathy Grieff
- *Anomalisa* (2015), as Lisa Hesselman (voice) — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/anomalisa.md)
- *The Hateful Eight* (2015), as Daisy Domergue — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/film/the-hateful-eight.md)
- *Welcome to Me* (2015), as Deb Moseley
- *Alex of Venice* (2015), as Maureen
- *Me* (2014), as Kelly
- *The Affair* (2014), series, as Adeline
- *Jake Squared* (2014), as Sheryl
- *Fargo* (2014), series, as Lorraine Lyon — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/fargo-2014.md)
- *Hateship Loveship* (2014), as Chloe
- *Open* (2014), as Holly
- *Kill Your Darlings* (2013), as Naomi Ginsberg
- *The Spectacular Now* (2013), as Sara Keely
- *The Moment* (2013), as Lee
- *Revenge* (2011), series, as Kara Wallace Clarke
- *Greenberg* (2010), as Beth (Beller's Party) · Story, Producer
- *Synecdoche, New York* (2008), as Maria — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/synecdoche-new-york.md)
- *Margot at the Wedding* (2007), as Pauline
- *The Making of 'Last Exit to Brooklyn'* (2006), Actor
- *Rag Tale* (2005), as Mary Josephine 'MJ' Morton
- *Weeds* (2005), series, as Jill Price-Grey — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/tv/weeds.md)
- *Easter Sunday* (2005), as Mother
- *Palindromes* (2005), as 'Mark' Aviva
- *The Jacket* (2005), as Dr. Beth Lorenson
- *The Machinist* (2004), as Stevie
- *Childstar* (2004), as Suzanne
- *In the Cut* (2003), as Pauline
- *Road to Perdition* (2002), as Annie Sullivan — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/film/road-to-perdition.md)
- *Hey Arnold! The Movie* (2002), as Bridget (voice)
- *Crossed Over* (2002), as Karla Faye Tucker
- *The Man Who Wasn't There* (2001), as Female Inmate (voice) (uncredited) · Thanks — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/film/the-man-who-wasnt-there.md)
- *The Quickie* (2001), as Lisa
- *The Anniversary Party* (2001), as Sally Nash Therrian · Director, Writer, Producer
- *O Brother, Where Art Thou?* (2000), Thanks — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/o-brother-where-art-thou.md)
- *Skipped Parts* (2000), as Lydia Callahan · Co-Producer
- *The King Is Alive* (2000), as Gina
- *Mission Hill* (1999), series, as Eunice 'Weirdie' Eulmeyer (voice)
- *eXistenZ* (1999), as Allegra Geller
- *Hercules* (1998), series, as Tempest (voice)
- *Thanks of a Grateful Nation* (1998), as Teri Small
- *The Love Letter* (1998), as Lizzie Whitcomb
- *Twitch City* (1998), series, as Faith
- *Washington Square* (1997), as Catherine Sloper
- *A Thousand Acres* (1997), as Caroline Cook
- *Spawn* (1997), series, Actor
- *King of the Hill* (1997), series, as Amy (voice) — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/king-of-the-hill-1997.md)
- *Bastard Out of Carolina* (1996), as Anney Boatwright
- *Superman: The Animated Series* (1996), series, as Cetea (voice)
- *Kansas City* (1996), as Blondie O'Hara
- *Tracey Takes On...* (1996), series, as Paige Garland
- *Georgia* (1995), as Sadie Flood · Producer
- *Dolores Claiborne* (1995), as Selena St. George
- *Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle* (1994), as Dorothy Parker
- *The Hudsucker Proxy* (1994), as Amy Archer — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/the-hudsucker-proxy.md)
- *Short Cuts* (1993), as Lois Kaiser — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/short-cuts.md)
- *Frasier* (1993), series, as Estelle (voice) — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/frasier.md)
- *Single White Female* (1992), as Hedra 'Hedy' Carlson
- *HBO First Look* (1992), series, Actor
- *The Prom* (1992), as Lana
- *Rush* (1991), as Kristen Cates
- *Crooked Hearts* (1991), as Marriet Hoffman
- *Backdraft* (1991), as Jennifer Vaitkus — Fi1m 62, [page](https://film.one/film/backdraft.md)
- *Partners in Life* (1990), as Blossom
- *Buried Alive* (1990), as Joanna Goodman
- *Miami Blues* (1990), as Susie Waggoner
- *Twin Peaks* (1990), series, as Chantal Hutchens — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/tv/twin-peaks.md)
- *The Big Picture* (1989), as Lydia Johnson
- *Last Exit to Brooklyn* (1989), as Tralala
- *Heart of Midnight* (1988), as Carol
- *Under Cover* (1987), as Tanille Laroux
- *Sister, Sister* (1987), as Lucy Bonnard
- *Picnic* (1986), as Madge Owens
- *The Men's Club* (1986), as Teensy
- *The Hitcher* (1986), as Nash
- *Flesh + Blood* (1985), as Agnes
- *Grandview, U.S.A.* (1984), as Candy Webster
- *Girls of the White Orchid* (1983), as Carol Heath
- *Easy Money* (1983), as Allison Capuletti
- *Have You Ever Been Ashamed of Your Parents?* (1983), as Andrea Fairchild
- *The First Time* (1982), as Bonnie Dillon
- *Fast Times at Ridgemont High* (1982), as Stacy Hamilton — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/film/fast-times-at-ridgemont-high.md)
- *Wrong Is Right* (1982), as Young Girl
- *The Best Little Girl in the World* (1981), as Casey Powell
- *The Killing of Randy Webster* (1981), as Amy Wheeler
- *I Think I'm Having A Baby* (1981), as Laurie Mcintyre
- *Eyes of a Stranger* (1981), as Tracy Harris
- *Angel City* (1980), as Kristy Teeter
- *Trapper John, M.D.* (1979), series, as Karen McCall
- *The Young Runaways* (1978), as Heather
- *The Spy Who Never Was* (1976), as Girl Playing with Ball (uncredited)
- *Family* (1976), series, as Jenny Blair
- *Baretta* (1975), series, as Marcie (as Jennifer Leigh)
- *The Waltons* (1972), series, as Kathy Seals
- *The Wonderful World of Disney* (1954), series, as Heather
- *Hallmark Hall of Fame* (1951), series, as Elizabeth Whitcomb
- *New England Toys*, Actor
- *Deep Cuts*, Actor
- *Bishop*, series, as Jillian Graves

## Gallery

- ![Jennifer Jason Leigh at the 2015 San Diego Comic Con International in San Diego, California. The Hateful Eight panel.](https://film.one/media/person/7153/gallery-84228b4a5e4a.jpg) Jennifer Jason Leigh at the 2015 San Diego Comic Con International in San Diego, California. The Hateful Eight panel. — Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2e/Jennifer_Jason_Leigh_by_Gage_Skidmore.jpg/1280px-Jennifer_Jason_Leigh_by_Gage_Skidmore.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Jennifer Jason Leigh speaking at the 2015 San Diego Comic Con International, for "The Hateful Eight", at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, Californi](https://film.one/media/person/7153/gallery-d34946998b87.jpg) Jennifer Jason Leigh speaking at the 2015 San Diego Comic Con International, for "The Hateful Eight", at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, Californi — Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b5/SDCC_2015_-_Jennifer_Jason_Leigh_%2819542235649%29_%28cropped%29.jpg/1280px-SDCC_2015_-_Jennifer_Jason_Leigh_%2819542235649%29_%28cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Jennifer Jason Leigh speaking at the 2015 San Diego Comic Con International, for "The Hateful Eight", at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, Californi](https://film.one/media/person/7153/gallery-f04ebac292ab.jpg) Jennifer Jason Leigh speaking at the 2015 San Diego Comic Con International, for "The Hateful Eight", at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, Californi — Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a5/SDCC_2015_-_Jennifer_Jason_Leigh_%2819542235649%29.jpg/1280px-SDCC_2015_-_Jennifer_Jason_Leigh_%2819542235649%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Jennifer Jason Leigh speaking at the 2015 San Diego Comic Con International, for "The Hateful Eight", at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, Californi](https://film.one/media/person/7153/gallery-88211a328b42.jpg) Jennifer Jason Leigh speaking at the 2015 San Diego Comic Con International, for "The Hateful Eight", at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, Californi — Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f0/SDCC_2015_-_Jennifer_Jason_Leigh_%2819540920490%29.jpg/1280px-SDCC_2015_-_Jennifer_Jason_Leigh_%2819540920490%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Jennifer Jason Leigh](https://film.one/media/person/7153/gallery-734613558ba8.jpg) Jennifer Jason Leigh — Image via TMDB
- ![Eva Marie Saint & Jennifer Jason Leigh in a scene from the 1981 TV movie, The Best Little Girl in the World.](https://film.one/media/person/7153/gallery-1ee6b32b0525.jpg) Eva Marie Saint & Jennifer Jason Leigh in a scene from the 1981 TV movie, The Best Little Girl in the World. — ABC, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/45/Eva_Marie_Saint_%26_Jennifer_Jason_Leigh_%281981%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)

## Awards

### Academy Awards — 0 won, 1 nominated

- 2016: Best Supporting Actress (nominated), for *The Hateful Eight*

### Other awards — 4 won

- Genie Awards 2005: Genie Awards (won)
- National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actress 1994: National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actress (won), for *Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle*
- MTV Movie Award for Best Villain 1993: MTV Movie Award for Best Villain (won), for *Single White Female*
- Boston Society of Film Critics Award for Best Supporting Actress 1990: Boston Society of Film Critics Award for Best Supporting Actress (won), for *Miami Blues*

*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/jennifer-jason-leigh