---
name: "Martha Plimpton"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/martha-plimpton"
fi1m_id: "martha-plimpton"
imdb_id: "nm0000588"
tmdb_id: 17495
wikidata_id: "Q267383"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "16 November 1970"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 5
average_fi1m_score: 74
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 5
updated: "2026-10-23T21:14:40.568160+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."
---

# Martha Plimpton

## Identity

Martha Plimpton

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/martha-plimpton
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** martha-plimpton
- **IMDb ID:** nm0000588
- **TMDB ID:** 17495
- **Wikidata ID:** Q267383
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martha_Plimpton, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q267383, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000588/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/17495

Actor. Born 16 November 1970 in New York City, New York, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 16 November 1970, New York City, New York, USA
- **Active:** 1985–present
- **Also known as:** Martha Campbell Plimpton
- **Primetime Emmy Awards:** 1 Emmy (1 won)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 74, as actor, over 5 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1980s 77 (2), 2010s 65 (1), 2020s 74 (2)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 74 to 70 across 5 titles
- **Score spread:** 1 at 80+, 4 at 60–79, 0 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 1 of 5 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Comedy 3, Drama 3, Adventure 2, Family 2, Animation 1, Crime 1
- **Screen time:** 8 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $1,650m across 4 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martha_Plimpton, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q267383, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000588/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/17495

## Streaming the US now

- **Netflix:** [*Mass*](https://film.one/film/mass.md) (82), [*Parenthood*](https://film.one/film/parenthood.md) (78)
- **Peacock:** [*The Goonies*](https://film.one/film/the-goonies.md) (76)
- **HBO Max:** [*Task*](https://film.one/tv/task.md) (67)
- **Disney+:** [*Frozen II*](https://film.one/film/frozen-ii.md) (65)

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

## Fi1m on Martha Plimpton

> Martha Plimpton plays sharp-tongued characters without asking us to approve of them. We rate her unselfconscious work in comedy and drama, though the supporting parts have not always given her enough to do.

In *The Goonies* (1985), Martha Plimpton's Stef has a place in the gang before she has much of a character. Richard Donner's treasure hunt gets considerable pleasure from children impatient to get on with things, but the writing does not distribute its attention equally. We enjoyed that impatience and grew tired of the shouting; Stef is among those who could have used more to do. Plimpton and Kerri Green, as Andy, get less to establish them than Ke Huy Quan's Data. The part is a thin basis on which to judge what she can do.

*Running on Empty* (1988), alongside River Phoenix, and the ensemble of *Parenthood* (1989) kept her in films before a shift towards theatre in the 1990s. Her work with Steppenwolf Theatre Company and in classical plays suits an actor valued for humour and the ability to work with others. She has said, "When you start worrying about how you are being perceived, your work loses integrity." That fits the lack of self-consciousness we value in her acting: she allows a character to be abrasive without repeatedly reassuring us that she is nicer than the person she plays.

Television supplied both the recurring guest role of Patti Nyholm in *The Good Wife* (2009) and a lead as Virginia Chance in *Raising Hope* (2010–2014). The latter makes particular sense for an actor whose honesty works in comedy as well as drama. Her strength as an ensemble player matters here, because she can make a character register without seeming to compete with everyone around her.

In *Task* (2025), she plays Kathleen McGinty in a crime drama whose family troubles are more compelling than its investigation. The lives around Mark Ruffalo and Tom Pelphrey are worth caring about, but the story keeps us waiting too long for the case to gather pace. The shortage of humour matters, too: the series could use some relief from its burdens. It is a decent option for patient viewers, though hardly the obvious introduction to an actor whose humour is so much of the attraction. Begin with *Raising Hope* instead, and give her comedy an evening.

## Biography

Martha Plimpton is an American actress. Born in New York City on 16 November 1970, she is the daughter of actors Shelley Plimpton and Keith Carradine.

She began her career as a child performer and appeared in films including *The Goonies* (1985) and *Parenthood* (1989). Plimpton has worked extensively on stage and received three Tony Award nominations. On television she played Virginia Chance in the sitcom *Raising Hope* (2010–2014) and Patti Nyholm in *The Good Wife* (2009–2013), winning a Primetime Emmy Award for the latter.

Recent credits include the voice of Yelena in *Frozen II* (2019) and the role of Kathleen McGinty in the HBO series *Task* (2025).

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

## On Fi1m (5)

- *Task* (2025), Fi1m 67, as Kathleen McGinty — [page](https://film.one/tv/task.md)
- *Mass* (2021), Fi1m 82, as Gail — [page](https://film.one/film/mass.md)
- *Frozen II* (2019), Fi1m 65, as Yelena (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/frozen-ii.md)
- *Parenthood* (1989), Fi1m 78, as Julie Buckman-Lampkin Higgins — [page](https://film.one/film/parenthood.md)
- *The Goonies* (1985), Fi1m 76, as Stef — [page](https://film.one/film/the-goonies.md)

## Complete filmography (81)

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

- *East of Eden* (2026), series, as Faye — coming soon, [page](https://film.one/tv/east-of-eden.md)
- *Task* (2025), series, as Kathleen McGinty — Fi1m 67, [page](https://film.one/tv/task.md)
- *Sovereign* (2025), as Lesley Anne
- *Prime Target* (2025), series, as Jane Torres
- *Sardinia* (2024), as Judith
- *A Town Called Malice* (2023), series, as Mint Ma Lord
- *Sprung* (2022), series, as Barb
- *The Man Who Fell to Earth* (2022), series, as Intake Officer K. Faraday
- *Mass* (2021), as Gail — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/mass.md)
- *Genera+ion* (2021), series, as Megan
- *Pitch Black Panacea* (2020), as Amy (voice)
- *Frozen II* (2019), as Yelena (voice) — Fi1m 65, [page](https://film.one/film/frozen-ii.md)
- *Flack* (2019), series, as Clara
- *The Shivering Truth* (2018), series, as (voice)
- *Honey Bee* (2018), as Louise
- *Minecraft: Story Mode* (2018), series, as Olivia (voice)
- *Hello Again* (2017), as Ruth
- *The Guest Book* (2017), series, as Shelley
- *Brockmire* (2017), series, as Shirley
- *Baroness von Sketch Show* (2016), series, as Margo
- *The Real O'Neals* (2016), series, as Eileen O'Neal
- *Younger* (2015), series, as Cheryl Sussman
- *The Blacklist* (2013), series, as Dr. Sharon Fulton — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-blacklist.md)
- *Sparrows Dance* (2013), Thanks
- *Company* (2011), as Sarah
- *Raising Hope* (2010), series, as Virginia Chance
- *Small Town Murder Songs* (2010), as Sam
- *Remember Me* (2010), as Alyssa Craig's Mom (uncredited)
- *How to Make It in America* (2010), series, Actor
- *The Good Wife* (2009), series, as Patti Nyholm — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-good-wife.md)
- *Fringe* (2008), series, as Sheriff Ann Mathis — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/tv/fringe.md)
- *Marvelous* (2008), as Gwen
- *Dante's Inferno* (2007), as Celia / Lobbyist Singer / Lizzie Borden (voice)
- *Surface* (2005), series, as Mr. Big
- *Grey's Anatomy* (2005), series, as Pam Michaelson — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/tv/greys-anatomy.md)
- *Medium* (2005), series, as Rosemary Widdick
- *Hair High* (2004), as Miss Crumbles (voice) · Associate Producer
- *Karen Sisco* (2003), series, Actor
- *Hack* (2002), series, as Louise O'Connor
- *Law & Order: Criminal Intent* (2001), series, as Jo Gage
- *The Sleepy Time Gal* (2001), as Rebecca
- *Law & Order: Special Victims Unit* (1999), series, as Claire Rinato
- *200 Cigarettes* (1999), as Monica
- *Family Guy* (1999), series, as Stephanie (voice) — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/tv/family-guy.md)
- *The Defenders: Taking the First* (1998), as MJ Preston
- *Pecker* (1998), as Tina
- *Music from Another Room* (1998), as Karen Swan
- *The Defenders: Choice of Evils* (1998), as Mary Jane Preston
- *Eye of God* (1997), as Ainsley DuPree
- *The Defenders: Payback* (1997), as M.J. Preston
- *Colin Fitz* (1997), as Ann
- *I'm Not Rappaport* (1996), as Laurie Campbell
- *7th Heaven* (1996), series, as Venus
- *I Shot Andy Warhol* (1996), as Stevie
- *Beautiful Girls* (1996), as Jan
- *Last Summer in the Hamptons* (1995), as Chloe Garfield
- *The Beans of Egypt, Maine* (1994), as Earlene Pomerleau
- *ER* (1994), series, as Meg Corwin — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/er.md)
- *Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle* (1994), as Jane Grant
- *Josh & S.A.M.* (1993), as Alison (The Liberty Maid)
- *The Perfect Woman* (1993), Actor
- *Chantilly Lace* (1993), as Ann
- *Daybreak* (1993), as Laurie
- *Samantha* (1992), as Samantha
- *Inside Monkey Zetterland* (1992), as Sofie
- *A Blink of Paradise* (1992), as Mother
- *A Woman at War* (1991), as Helene Moszkiewiez
- *Stanley & Iris* (1990), as Kelly King
- *Parenthood* (1989), as Julie Buckman-Lampkin Higgins — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/parenthood.md)
- *Silence Like Glass* (1989), as Claudia Jacoby
- *Another Woman* (1988), as Laura
- *Running on Empty* (1988), as Lorna Phillips
- *Stars & Bars* (1988), as Bryant
- *Shy People* (1987), as Grace
- *The Mosquito Coast* (1986), as Emily Spellgood
- *The Goonies* (1985), as Stef — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/film/the-goonies.md)
- *The River Rat* (1984), as Jonsy
- *Family Ties* (1982), series, as Jessie Blake
- *American Playhouse* (1982), series, as Earlene Pomerleau
- *Rollover* (1981), as Fewster's Older Daughter
- *The Custom of the Country*, Actor

## Gallery

- ![Martha Plimpton](https://film.one/media/person/40311/gallery-6245a15d10d1.jpg) Martha Plimpton — PEN American Center, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/01/Martha_Plimpton_2015.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Billy Crudup and Martha Plimpton, 2015 PEN Gala, May 5, 2015, American Museum of Natural History © Beowulf Sheehan/PEN American Center](https://film.one/media/person/40311/gallery-81709f695073.jpg) Billy Crudup and Martha Plimpton, 2015 PEN Gala, May 5, 2015, American Museum of Natural History © Beowulf Sheehan/PEN American Center — Beowulf Sheehan/PEN American Center, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0e/Billy_Crudup_and_Martha_Plimpton_2015.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Keith Coogan and his date talk with River Phoenix (back to camera). Phoenix's date Martha Plimpton can be seen in shiny white dress at left. Photo taken at the  (1989)](https://film.one/media/person/40311/gallery-e3cb74b6ab0b.jpg) Keith Coogan and his date talk with River Phoenix (back to camera). Phoenix's date Martha Plimpton can be seen in shiny white dress at left. Photo taken at the  (1989) — Alan Light, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/13/Keith_Coogan_and_River_Phoenix.jpg/1280px-Keith_Coogan_and_River_Phoenix.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Actress Martha Plimpton (2010)](https://film.one/media/person/40311/gallery-0b79714f9958.jpg) Actress Martha Plimpton (2010) — LeNair Xavier, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/dd/Martha_Plimpton.jpg/1280px-Martha_Plimpton.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Martha Plimpton](https://film.one/media/person/40311/gallery-5e06f2195a50.jpg) Martha Plimpton — Image via TMDB
- ![Martha Plimpton](https://film.one/media/person/40311/gallery-369171f6524b.jpg) Martha Plimpton — Image via TMDB
- ![Martha Plimpton](https://film.one/media/person/40311/gallery-8ffc94c8cc55.jpg) Martha Plimpton — Image via TMDB
- ![Star of The Goonies. NYC. June 2016](https://film.one/media/person/40311/gallery-d058f15003ed.jpg) Star of The Goonies. NYC. June 2016 — Greg2600, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/45/Martha_Plimpton_%2827143342363%29.jpg/1280px-Martha_Plimpton_%2827143342363%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Martha Plimpton in Washington D.C. in 1996 (2019)](https://film.one/media/person/40311/gallery-323ffaf0e07a.jpg) Martha Plimpton in Washington D.C. in 1996 (2019) — John Mathew Smith & www.celebrity-photos.com from Laurel  Maryland, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1d/Martha_Plimpton_%2846724873471%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Martha Plimpton](https://film.one/media/person/40311/gallery-f72021f677f9.jpg) Martha Plimpton — Image via TMDB

## Awards

### Primetime Emmy Awards — 1 won

- 2012: Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series (won), for *The Good Wife*

### Other awards — 0 won, 2 nominated

- Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play 2008: Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play (nominated)
- Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play 2007: Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play (nominated)

*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/martha-plimpton