--- name: "Lea Thompson" canonical: "https://film.one/person/lea-thompson" fi1m_id: "lea-thompson" imdb_id: "nm0000670" tmdb_id: 1063 wikidata_id: "Q230605" roles: ["Actor","Director"] born: "31 May 1961" reviewed_on_fi1m: 9 average_fi1m_score: 67 average_as: "actor" average_over: 7 updated: "2026-10-23T04:12:06.570652+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." --- # Lea Thompson ## Identity Lea Thompson - **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/lea-thompson - **Type:** Person - **Fi1m ID:** lea-thompson - **IMDb ID:** nm0000670 - **TMDB ID:** 1063 - **Wikidata ID:** Q230605 - **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lea_Thompson, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q230605, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000670/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/1063 Actor and director. Born 31 May 1961 in Rochester, Minnesota, USA. ## Details - **Work:** Actor, Director - **Born:** 31 May 1961, Rochester, Minnesota, USA - **Active:** 1983–present - **Also known as:** Lea Katherine Thompson - **Titles on Fi1m:** 9: 7 acting, 1 directing, 1 other - **Frequently works with:** [Christopher Lloyd](https://film.one/person/christopher-lloyd.md), [Bob Gale](https://film.one/person/bob-gale.md), [Michael J. Fox](https://film.one/person/michael-j-fox.md), [Neil Canton](https://film.one/person/neil-canton.md), [Robert Zemeckis](https://film.one/person/robert-zemeckis.md), [Howard Deutch](https://film.one/person/howard-deutch.md), [Thomas F. Wilson](https://film.one/person/thomas-f-wilson.md) - **Average Fi1m score:** 67, as actor, over 7 titles - **Fi1m score by decade:** 1980s 61 (4), 1990s 75 (3), 2020s 69 (2) - **Fi1m against the critics:** 72 to 70 across 6 titles - **Score spread:** 2 at 80+, 2 at 60–79, 3 under 60 - **Lead roles:** 1 of 5 acting credits billed first or second - **Genres:** Comedy 5, Adventure 3, Science Fiction 3, Action & Adventure 1, Animation 1, Drama 1 - **Screen time:** 9 hours of reviewed films - **Box office:** $957m across 5 films with figures - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lea_Thompson, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q230605, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000670/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/1063 ## Streaming the US now - **Disney+:** [*Back to the Future*](https://film.one/film/back-to-the-future.md) (92) - **Apple TV:** [*Star Trek: Picard*](https://film.one/tv/star-trek-picard.md) (64) - **Netflix:** [*Jaws 3-D*](https://film.one/film/jaws-3-d.md) (36) For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country. ## Fi1m on Lea Thompson > Lea Thompson makes people worth caring about before asking us to laugh at their circumstances. We rate her ability to give an improbable comedy a believable relationship, even when the jokes leave her doing most of the work. In *Back to the Future* (1985), Lorraine Baines has a life of her own, and Thompson makes sure we notice it. She could have settled for showing us the youthful beginnings of Marty's mother. Instead, she gives Lorraine enough independence that his discomfort is not the only thing worth watching. This is Thompson at her most persuasive: taking a character seriously while leaving room for the joke. Robert Zemeckis gives her an exact comic plot to work within. Michael J. Fox makes Marty's discomfort funny without cruelty, while Crispin Glover's George risks becoming a collection of awkward habits. Thompson's changes of physicality between Lorraine's ages draw on her ballet training. Beside those more obviously awkward performances, she lets Lorraine behave as though her own life matters. We can laugh at the situation without feeling that Lorraine herself has been dismissed. *Howard the Duck* (1986) leaves her with considerably more to do and much less help. As Beverly Switzler, she takes her unlikely companion seriously without pretending there is nothing odd about him. We warmed to their friendship because her affection briefly made the duck seem like someone whose company might be welcome. The costume remains awkward, the tone keeps changing, and the jokes too often expect his presence to be enough. Thompson gives a poor comedy a relationship that matters; she cannot make the rest of it funny. The move to television suited the approachable performer evident in those films, with a sitcom lead in *Caroline in the City* (1995–1999). *Switched at Birth* (2011–2017), in which she played Kathryn Kennish, also made room for dramatic work. Her feature directing debut, *The Year of Spectacular Men* (2018), gave her a different way to work with actors. The care she brings to their performances gives us a reason to follow that work, too. For the clearest introduction, though, start with *Back to the Future*. ## Biography Lea Thompson is an American actress, singer, dancer and director. Born in Rochester, Minnesota, she trained as a ballet dancer with companies including the American Ballet Theatre before moving into acting in the early 1980s. She is best known for her role as Lorraine Baines-McFly in the *Back to the Future* film trilogy (1985–1990). Other film credits include *Howard the Duck* (1986), *Some Kind of Wonderful* (1987), *All the Right Moves* (1983) and *Red Dawn* (1984). On television she played the title character in the sitcom *Caroline in the City* (1995–1999) and Kathryn Kennish in *Switched at Birth* (2011–2017). Thompson is married to director Howard Deutch. *Sources: en.wikipedia.org, themoviedb.org, backtothefuture.fandom.com.* ## On Fi1m (9) ### Performed in (7) — the average rests on these - *INVINCIBLE* (2021), Fi1m 74, as Carol (voice) — [page](https://film.one/tv/invincible-2021.md) - *Dennis the Menace* (1993), Fi1m 56, as Alice Mitchell — [page](https://film.one/film/dennis-the-menace.md) - *The Larry Sanders Show* (1992), Fi1m 91, as Lea Thompson — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-larry-sanders-show.md) - *Back to the Future Part II* (1989), Fi1m 74, as Lorraine — [page](https://film.one/film/back-to-the-future-part-ii.md) - *Howard the Duck* (1986), Fi1m 43, as Beverly Switzler — [page](https://film.one/film/howard-the-duck.md) - *Back to the Future* (1985), Fi1m 92, as Lorraine Baines — [page](https://film.one/film/back-to-the-future.md) - *Jaws 3-D* (1983), Fi1m 36, as Kelly Ann Bukowski — [page](https://film.one/film/jaws-3-d.md) ### Directed (1) - *Star Trek: Picard* (2020), Fi1m 64, Director — [page](https://film.one/tv/star-trek-picard.md) ### Also credited (1) — thanks, archive footage, uncredited - *Friends* (1994), Fi1m 78, as Caroline Duffy (uncredited) — [page](https://film.one/tv/friends.md) ## Complete filmography (117) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *Anna Pigeon* (2026), series, Executive Producer - *The Chicken Sisters* (2024), series, as Nancy Hillier · Director - *The Spencer Sisters* (2023), series, as Victoria Spencer - *Will Trent* (2023), series, Director - *The Disappearance of Cari Farver* (2022), as Nancy Farver - *Ten Tricks* (2022), as Grace - *Unplugging* (2022), as Perkins - *Next Stop, Christmas* (2021), as Evelyn - *Mark, Mary + Some Other People* (2021), as Aunty Carol - *INVINCIBLE* (2021), series, as Carol (voice) — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/tv/invincible-2021.md) - *Resident Alien* (2021), series, Director - *Dinner in America* (2020), as Betty - *DC's Stargirl* (2020), series, Director - *Katy Keene* (2020), series, Director - *Star Trek: Picard* (2020), series, as Diane Werner · Director — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/tv/star-trek-picard.md) - *Cool Cat's Crazy Dream* (2019), as Dream World Lea - *Schooled* (2019), series, Director - *Little Women* (2018), as Margaret "Marmee" March - *Sierra Burgess Is a Loser* (2018), as Mrs. Burgess - *The Year of Spectacular Men* (2018), as Deb Klein · Director - *Who We Are Now* (2018), as Alana - *Back to the Future: The Hill Valley Chronicles* (2018), series, as Lorraine Baines-McFly - *Over the Hill* (2018), as Sally - *Young Sheldon* (2017), series, Director - *Literally, Right Before Aaron* (2017), as Deb (Adam's Mom) - *American Housewife* (2016), series, Director - *The Dog Lover* (2016), as Liz Holloway - *Stars Are Already Dead* (2016), as Aunt Sophia - *Penn Zero: Part-Time Hero* (2014), series, as Vonnie (voice) - *Left Behind* (2014), as Irene Steele - *A to Z* (2014), series, as Lea Thompson - *Scorpion* (2014), series, as Veronica Dineen - *Ping Pong Summer* (2014), as Mrs. Miracle - *My Mother's Future Husband* (2014), as René Henderson - *The Goldbergs* (2013), series, as Fran · Director - *Mom* (2013), series, Director - *Call Me Crazy: A Five Film* (2013), as Julia - *Love at the Christmas Table* (2012), as Elissa Beth - *Bound by Flesh* (2012), as Voiceover - *The Trouble with the Truth* (2012), as Emily - *Thin Ice* (2012), as Jo Ann Prohaska - *Game of Your Life* (2011), as Abbie - *J. Edgar* (2011), as Lela Rogers - *The Cabin* (2011), as Lily MacDougal - *Mayor Cupcake* (2011), as Mary Maroni - *Switched at Birth* (2011), series, as Kathryn Kennish · Director - *Rock Slyde* (2010), as Master Bartologist - *Adventures of a Teenage Dragonslayer* (2010), as Laura - *Splinterheads* (2009), as Susan Frost - *Looking Back to the Future* (2009), Thanks - *Fatal Secrets* (2009), as Rebecca · Associate Producer - *The Christmas Clause* (2008), as Sophie - *My Best Friend's Girl* (2008), Thanks - *Exit Speed* (2008), as Maudie McMinn - *Final Approach* (2008), as Alicia Bender - *Senior Skip Day* (2008), as Cathleen Harris - *Spy School* (2008), as Claire Miller - *Jane Doe: Eye of the Beholder* (2008), as Cathy Davis / Jane Doe · Director - *Greek* (2007), series, as April - *Jane Doe: How to Fire Your Boss* (2007), as Cathy Davis - *A Life Interrupted* (2007), as Debbie Smith - *Jane Doe: Ties That Bind* (2007), as Cathy Davis / Jane Doe - *California Dreaming* (2007), as Ginger Gainor - *Celebrity Duets* (2006), series, Actor - *Jane Doe: The Harder They Fall* (2006), as Cathy Davis · Director - *Jane Doe: Yes, I Remember It Well* (2006), as Cathy Davis - *Jane Doe: The Wrong Face* (2005), as Cathy Davis - *Jane Doe: Til Death Do Us Part* (2005), as Cathy Davis - *Jane Doe: Now You See It, Now You Don't* (2005), as Cathy Davis - *American Dad!* (2005), series, as Caroline Duffy (voice) - *Jane Doe: Vanishing Act* (2005), as Cathy Davis - *Come Away Home* (2005), as Carol - *Stealing Christmas* (2003), as Sarah Gibson - *Haunted Lighthouse 4-D* (2003), as Peg Van Legge - *For the People* (2002), series, as Chief Deputy District Attorney Camille Paris - *Fish Don't Blink* (2002), as Clara - *Ed* (2000), series, as Liz Stevens - *CSI: Crime Scene Investigation* (2000), series, as Jennifer Rhodes - *Law & Order: Special Victims Unit* (1999), series, as Michelle Osborne - *Family Guy* (1999), series, as Teenaged Girl in Diner (voice), Lorraine McFly (voice) — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/tv/family-guy.md) - *A Will of their Own* (1998), series, as Amanda Steward - *The Unknown Cyclist* (1998), as Melissa Cavatelli - *E! True Hollywood Story* (1996), series, Actor - *The Right to Remain Silent* (1996), as Christine Paley - *The Unspoken Truth* (1995), as Brianne Hawkins - *Caroline in the City* (1995), series, as Caroline Duffy - *Friends* (1994), series, as Caroline Duffy (uncredited) — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/friends.md) - *The Little Rascals* (1994), as Ms. Roberts - *The Substitute Wife* (1994), as Amy Hightower - *The Beverly Hillbillies* (1993), as Laura Jackson - *Dennis the Menace* (1993), as Alice Mitchell — Fi1m 56, [page](https://film.one/film/dennis-the-menace.md) - *Stolen Babies* (1993), as Annie Beales - *The Larry Sanders Show* (1992), series, as Lea Thompson — Fi1m 91, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-larry-sanders-show.md) - *Article 99* (1992), as Dr. Robin Van Dorn - *Back to the Future Part III* (1990), as Maggie McFly / Lorraine McFly - *Montana* (1990), as Peg Guthrie - *Back to the Future Part II* (1989), as Lorraine — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/back-to-the-future-part-ii.md) - *Tales from the Crypt* (1989), series, as Sylvia Vane - *Nightbreaker* (1989), as Sally Matthews - *The Wizard of Loneliness* (1988), as Sybil - *Going Undercover* (1988), as Marigold de la Hunt - *Casual Sex?* (1988), as Stacy - *Some Kind of Wonderful* (1987), as Amanda Jones - *Howard the Duck* (1986), as Beverly Switzler — Fi1m 43, [page](https://film.one/film/howard-the-duck.md) - *SpaceCamp* (1986), as Kathryn - *Back to the Future* (1985), as Lorraine Baines — Fi1m 92, [page](https://film.one/film/back-to-the-future.md) - *The Wild Life* (1984), as Anita - *Red Dawn* (1984), as Erica - *All the Right Moves* (1983), as Lisa - *Jaws 3-D* (1983), as Kelly Ann Bukowski — Fi1m 36, [page](https://film.one/film/jaws-3-d.md) - *The Making of Jaws 3-D: Sharks Don't Die* (1983), Actor - *American Playhouse* (1982), series, as Aunt Sybil - *Manville*, Director - *You Are Here*, as Helen - *A Pretty Good Movie*, as Ramona - *Queen*, as Dr. Page - *What If*, Actor ## Gallery - ![Lea Thompson](https://film.one/media/person/59883/gallery-16dd2aeabfe3.jpg) Lea Thompson — Red Carpet Report on Mingle Media TV from Culver City, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/75/Lea_Thompson_February_2015_%28cropped%29.jpg/1280px-Lea_Thompson_February_2015_%28cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Atl Comic Con 2018 - Lea Thompson](https://film.one/media/person/59883/gallery-a3eb04a2475a.jpg) Atl Comic Con 2018 - Lea Thompson — Thomson200, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ee/Atl_Comic_Con_2018_-Lea_Thompson.jpg/1280px-Atl_Comic_Con_2018_-Lea_Thompson.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Atl Comic Con 2018 - Lea Thompson](https://film.one/media/person/59883/gallery-87b7ad679867.jpg) Atl Comic Con 2018 - Lea Thompson — Thomson200, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5c/Atl_Comic_Con_2018_-_Lea_Thompson_2.jpg/1280px-Atl_Comic_Con_2018_-_Lea_Thompson_2.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Atl Comic Con 2018 - Lea Thompson panel](https://film.one/media/person/59883/gallery-d113a8aef28c.jpg) Atl Comic Con 2018 - Lea Thompson panel — Thomson200, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/da/Atl_Comic_Con_2018_-_Lea_Thompson_panel.jpg/1280px-Atl_Comic_Con_2018_-_Lea_Thompson_panel.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Lea Thompson](https://film.one/media/person/59883/gallery-68409f649cb2.jpg) Lea Thompson — Image via TMDB - ![Lea Thompson](https://film.one/media/person/59883/gallery-116104607743.jpg) Lea Thompson — Image via TMDB - ![Lea Thompson](https://film.one/media/person/59883/gallery-486dd830d90d.jpg) Lea Thompson — Image via TMDB - ![This file is a derivate work of the above named images to illustrate the cast of the 1989 film w:Back to the Future Part II.](https://film.one/media/person/59883/gallery-6cbce45c74e3.png) This file is a derivate work of the above named images to illustrate the cast of the 1989 film w:Back to the Future Part II. — Derivative work by Theknine2, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4b/Bttf2cast.png?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![This file is a derivate work of the above named images to illustrate the cast of the 1990 film w:Back to the Future Part III. (2021)](https://film.one/media/person/59883/gallery-e16a54f50477.png) This file is a derivate work of the above named images to illustrate the cast of the 1990 film w:Back to the Future Part III. (2021) — Derivative work by Theknine2, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5a/Bttf3cast.png?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Lea Thompson](https://film.one/media/person/59883/gallery-9572ae04517e.jpg) Lea Thompson — 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/lea-thompson