---
name: "JoBeth Williams"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/jobeth-williams"
fi1m_id: "jobeth-williams"
imdb_id: "nm0001851"
tmdb_id: 10080
wikidata_id: "Q237809"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "6 December 1948"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 4
average_fi1m_score: 73
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 4
updated: "2026-10-21T04:27:43.041910+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."
---

# JoBeth Williams

## Identity

JoBeth Williams

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/jobeth-williams
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** jobeth-williams
- **IMDb ID:** nm0001851
- **TMDB ID:** 10080
- **Wikidata ID:** Q237809
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JoBeth_Williams, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q237809, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001851/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/10080

Actor. Born 6 December 1948 in Houston, Texas, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 6 December 1948, Houston, Texas, USA
- **Active:** 1979–present
- **Also known as:** ДжоБет Уильямс, جوبت ویلیامز
- **Academy Awards:** 1 Oscar nomination
- **Average Fi1m score:** 73, as actor, over 4 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1970s 82 (1), 1980s 70 (3)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 78 to 73 across 3 titles
- **Score spread:** 2 at 80+, 2 at 60–79, 0 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 1 of 4 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Comedy 2, Drama 2, Crime 1, Horror 1
- **Screen time:** 7 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $386m across 4 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JoBeth_Williams, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q237809, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001851/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/10080

## Coming up

- *Behemoth!* (2026-12-03) — [page](https://film.one/film/behemoth.md)

## Streaming the US now

- **Tubi:** [*The Big Chill*](https://film.one/film/the-big-chill.md) (67)
- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Stir Crazy*](https://film.one/film/stir-crazy.md) (60)

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

## Fi1m on JoBeth Williams

> JoBeth Williams makes screen families feel as though they existed before the opening scene. In *Poltergeist*, her warmth and parental distress keep the horror frightening even when the effects get too busy.

In *Poltergeist* (1982), JoBeth Williams and Craig T. Nelson play Diane and Steve Freeling as people accustomed to raising children together. Their ease makes the marriage convincing without asking us to spend much time admiring it. Williams does not announce Diane's devotion to the children; it is there in the way she responds when their home becomes unsafe. This is what she does particularly well: make a parent's concern seem ordinary enough that we share it when things go wrong.

Her film debut was as Phyllis Bernard in *Kramer vs. Kramer* (1979), and the early prominence of *Poltergeist* was followed by Karen Bowens in *The Big Chill* (1983). Those ensemble and family-centred films suit an actor whose warmth makes relationships credible. *Desert Bloom* (1986), in which she played Lily Chismore, belongs to the serious independent work she has singled out as important to her. The return as Diane in the 1986 *Poltergeist* sequel should not obscure that broader interest.

Tobe Hooper's *Poltergeist* makes substantial physical demands on Williams, but she keeps the distress recognisable rather than letting the exertion become the whole performance. We were frightened by Diane's helplessness in her own home, because Williams makes the inability to protect her children feel intolerable. The effects sometimes get too busy, and the actors have to keep us concerned about what is happening to the family. Nelson matters here: both actors respond to the disturbances as parents, without having to insist on how much the children mean to them.

Her later career has taken in features, television films and recurring television roles, with television sometimes providing stronger material than the films. We would not mistake smaller parts for a reason to overlook her. The ability to make people seem as though they belong to the same household is worth looking for even when it is not the main attraction. Start with *Poltergeist*, and do not dismiss the family scenes as time spent waiting for the haunting.

## Biography

JoBeth Williams is an American actress. She was born Margaret JoBeth Williams on 6 December 1948 in Houston, Texas, and studied at Pembroke College in Brown University. She began her career in theatre and made her feature-film debut in *Kramer vs. Kramer* (1979).

Williams is known for her role as Diane Freeling in *Poltergeist* (1982) and its sequel *Poltergeist II: The Other Side* (1986). Other film credits include *Stir Crazy* (1980) and *The Big Chill* (1983). She received three Emmy Award nominations for television work, including the TV movie *Adam* (1983) and a guest appearance in *Frasier* (1994). Her directorial debut, the short film *On Hope* (1994), earned an Academy Award nomination. She served as president of the Screen Actors Guild Foundation from 2007 and is now president emerita.

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

## On Fi1m (4)

- *The Big Chill* (1983), Fi1m 67, as Karen Bowens — [page](https://film.one/film/the-big-chill.md)
- *Poltergeist* (1982), Fi1m 84, as Diane Freeling — [page](https://film.one/film/poltergeist.md)
- *Stir Crazy* (1980), Fi1m 60, as Meredith — [page](https://film.one/film/stir-crazy.md)
- *Kramer vs. Kramer* (1979), Fi1m 82, as Phyllis Bernard — [page](https://film.one/film/kramer-vs-kramer.md)

## Complete filmography (116)

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

- *Behemoth!* (2026), Actor — coming soon, [page](https://film.one/film/behemoth.md)
- *Not Without Hope* (2025), as Marcia
- *Cash for Gold* (2024), as Boots
- *Chantilly Bridge* (2023), as Natalie
- *What the Night Can Do* (2020), as Bettye Sue Dryer
- *SGT. Will Gardner* (2019), as Sherry
- *A Million Little Things* (2018), series, as Lana Strobe
- *Alex & the List* (2018), as Mrs. Stern
- *Station 19* (2018), series, as Reggie
- *The Good Doctor* (2017), series, as Ruth
- *Barracuda* (2017), as Patricia
- *Within* (2016), as Rosemary Fletcher
- *The Last Film Festival* (2016), as Mayor
- *Heartbeat* (2016), series, as Isobel Dixon
- *In My Dreams* (2015), as Charlotte Smith
- *Your Family or Mine* (2015), series, as Ricky
- *Marry Me* (2014), series, as Myrna
- *Extant* (2014), series, as Leigh Kern
- *Perception* (2012), series, as Margaret Pierce
- *Scandal* (2012), series, as Sandra Harding
- *Love's Christmas Journey* (2011), as Beatrice
- *The Big Year* (2011), as Edith
- *Hart of Dixie* (2011), series, as Candice Hart
- *Against the Wall* (2011), series, as Emily
- *Law & Order: LA* (2010), series, as Mrs. Walker
- *Rizzoli & Isles* (2010), series, as Tilly Dunn
- *Uncorked* (2009), as Sophia Browning
- *TiMER* (2009), as Marion
- *Childrens Hospital* (2008), series, as Linda
- *Private Practice* (2007), series, as Bizzy Forbes
- *Sybil* (2007), as Hattie Dorsett
- *In the Land of Women* (2007), as Agnes Webb
- *Twenty Good Years* (2006), series, as Kate
- *The Nine* (2006), series, Actor
- *Dexter* (2006), series, as Gail Brandon — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/tv/dexter.md)
- *14 Hours* (2005), as Jeanette Makins
- *Crazylove* (2005), as Mrs. Mayer
- *Into the Fire* (2005), as June Sickles
- *Criminal Minds* (2005), series, as Professor Ursula Kent — Fi1m 60, [page](https://film.one/tv/criminal-minds.md)
- *Fever Pitch* (2005), as Maureen Meeks
- *Numb3rs* (2005), series, as Margaret Eppes
- *Miss Match* (2003), series, as Lianne Fox
- *NCIS* (2003), series, as Leona Phelps — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/tv/ncis.md)
- *Las Vegas* (2003), series, as Liz
- *The Curse of Poltergeist* (2002), Actor
- *The Rose Technique* (2002), as Dr. Lillian Rose
- *Repossessed* (2002), Actor
- *24* (2001), series, as Miriam Henderson — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/24.md)
- *The Ponder Heart* (2001), as Edna Earle Ponder
- *The Guardian* (2001), series, as Sarah
- *Night Visions* (2001), series, Director
- *Frankie & Hazel* (2000), Director
- *Strong Medicine* (2000), series, as Margie
- *Trapped in a Purple Haze* (2000), as Sophie Hanson
- *Law & Order: Special Victims Unit* (1999), series, as Mrs. Rawley
- *Judging Amy* (1999), series, as Gemma Lawnsdale
- *Jackie's Back!* (1999), as Jo Face (Jackie's Vocal Coach)
- *It Came from the Sky* (1999), as Alice Bridges
- *Payne* (1999), series, as Constance Payne
- *Justice* (1999), as Jane Newhart
- *A Chance of Snow* (1998), as Madeline 'Maddie' Parker
- *From the Earth to the Moon* (1998), series, as Marge Slayton
- *When Danger Follows You Home* (1997), as Anne Werden
- *Jungle 2 Jungle* (1997), as Dr. Patricia Cromwell
- *Just Write* (1997), as Sidney Stone
- *After the SIlence* (1996), as Pam Willis (as Jobeth Williams)
- *E! True Hollywood Story* (1996), series, Actor
- *Ruby Jean and Joe* (1996), as Rose
- *The Client* (1995), series, as Reggie Love
- *A Season of Hope* (1995), as Elizabeth Hackett
- *Voices from Within* (1994), as Nancy Parkhurst
- *On Hope* (1994), Director
- *Parallel Lives* (1994), as Winnie Winslow
- *Wyatt Earp* (1994), as Bessie Earp
- *Final Appeal* (1993), as Christine Biondi
- *Frasier* (1993), series, as Danielle (voice), Madeline Marshall — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/frasier.md)
- *Chantilly Lace* (1993), as Natalie
- *Sex, Love and Cold Hard Cash* (1993), as Sarah Gallagher
- *Commercial Entertainment Product* (1992), as Diane Freeling
- *Jonathan: The Boy Nobody Wanted* (1992), as Ginny Moore
- *Batman: The Animated Series* (1992), series, as May and June (voice)
- *Me, Myself and I* (1992), as Crazy / Sane Diane
- *Fish Police* (1992), series, as Angel (voice)
- *Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot* (1992), as Gwen Harper
- *Dutch* (1991), as Natalie Standish
- *Switch* (1991), as Margo Brofman
- *Victim of Love* (1991), as Tess Harper
- *Bump in the Night* (1991), Co-Executive Producer
- *Timeless Tales: The Elves and the Shoemaker* (1990), as Bettina (voice)
- *Child in the Night* (1990), as Dr. Hollis
- *Welcome Home* (1989), as Sarah
- *My Name Is Bill W.* (1989), as Lois Wilson
- *Memories of Me* (1988), as Lisa
- *Baby M* (1988), series, as Marybeth Whitehead
- *Murder Ordained* (1987), series, as Lorna Anderson
- *Murder Ordained* (1987), as Lorna Anderson
- *Adam: His Song Continues* (1986), as Reve Walsh
- *Poltergeist II: The Other Side* (1986), as Diane Freeling
- *Desert Bloom* (1986), as Lily Chismore
- *Kids Don't Tell* (1985), as Claudia Ryan
- *American Dreamer* (1984), as Cathy Palmer
- *Teachers* (1984), as Lisa Hammond
- *The Day After* (1983), as Nurse Nancy Bauer
- *Adam* (1983), as Reve Walsh
- *The Big Chill* (1983), as Karen Bowens — Fi1m 67, [page](https://film.one/film/the-big-chill.md)
- *Endangered Species* (1982), as Harriet Purdue
- *Poltergeist* (1982), as Diane Freeling — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/poltergeist.md)
- *Joe Dancer: The Big Black Pill* (1981), as Tiffany Farinpour
- *The Dogs of War* (1980), as Jessie
- *Stir Crazy* (1980), as Meredith — Fi1m 60, [page](https://film.one/film/stir-crazy.md)
- *Fun and Games* (1980), as Laura Weston
- *Kramer vs. Kramer* (1979), as Phyllis Bernard — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/kramer-vs-kramer.md)
- *The White Shadow* (1978), series, as Paula Harris
- *The World Beyond* (1978), as Marian Faber
- *Feasting with Panthers* (1974), as Constance Wilde
- *Hallmark Hall of Fame* (1951), series, as Lois Wilson

## Gallery

- ![Jobeth Williams and Connie Stevens at the SAG Foundation brunch. (2007)](https://film.one/media/person/117712/gallery-4c3612c6b54d.jpg) Jobeth Williams and Connie Stevens at the SAG Foundation brunch. (2007) — Maggie, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/71/Actresses_Jobeth_Williams_and_Connie_Stevens.jpg/1280px-Actresses_Jobeth_Williams_and_Connie_Stevens.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Nikon D5100 at 290 mm 1/30 at f/6.0 JoBeth Williams and the rest of the cast of The Big Chill sit onstage for a lengthy Q&A after its 30th anniversary scree (2013)](https://film.one/media/person/117712/gallery-572d90a56b05.jpg) Nikon D5100 at 290 mm 1/30 at f/6.0 JoBeth Williams and the rest of the cast of The Big Chill sit onstage for a lengthy Q&A after its 30th anniversary scree (2013) — Mr. Bombdiggity, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/ba/JoBeth_Williams_at_ar_Q%26A_for_The_Big_Chill%2C_after_its_30th_anniversary_screening_at_the_2013_Toronto_International_Film_Festival_%2813306477173%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![JoBeth Williams at the SAG Foundation brunch, January 7, 2006.Actress (2007)](https://film.one/media/person/117712/gallery-ad068a08664f.jpg) JoBeth Williams at the SAG Foundation brunch, January 7, 2006.Actress (2007) — Maggie, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5b/Jobeth_Williams.jpg/1280px-Jobeth_Williams.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Jobeth Williams at the SAG Foundation brunch, January 7, 2006](https://film.one/media/person/117712/gallery-cacb758558f3.jpg) Jobeth Williams at the SAG Foundation brunch, January 7, 2006 — maggiejumps, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/dc/Jobethwilliams.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![JoBeth Williams](https://film.one/media/person/117712/gallery-61193b2bb028.jpg) JoBeth Williams — Image via TMDB
- ![JoBeth Williams](https://film.one/media/person/117712/gallery-f75db108bfd2.jpg) JoBeth Williams — Image via TMDB
- ![Nikon D5100 at 35 mm 1/250 at f/1.8 The cast of The Big Chill sit onstage for a lengthy Q&A after its 30th anniversary screening at the 2013 Toronto Interna](https://film.one/media/person/117712/gallery-454b5e0499af.jpg) Nikon D5100 at 35 mm 1/250 at f/1.8 The cast of The Big Chill sit onstage for a lengthy Q&A after its 30th anniversary screening at the 2013 Toronto Interna — Mr. Bombdiggity, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/78/The_cast_of_The_Big_Chill_sit_onstage_for_a_lengthy_Q%26A_after_its_30th_anniversary_screening_at_the_2013_Toronto_International_Film_Festival_%2813306477983%29.jpg/1280px-The_cast_of_The_Big_Chill_sit_onstage_for_a_lengthy_Q%26A_after_its_30th_anniversary_screening_at_the_2013_Toronto_International_Film_Festival_%2813306477983%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)

## Awards

### Academy Awards — 0 won, 1 nominated

- 1995: Best Live Action Short Film (nominated), for *On Hope*

*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/jobeth-williams