---
name: "Mary Kay Place"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/mary-kay-place"
fi1m_id: "mary-kay-place"
imdb_id: "nm0005316"
tmdb_id: 5960
wikidata_id: "Q238924"
roles: ["Actor","Writer","Director"]
born: "23 September 1947"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 16
average_fi1m_score: 72
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 13
updated: "2026-10-05T11:39:23.996792+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."
---

# Mary Kay Place

## Identity

Mary Kay Place

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/mary-kay-place
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** mary-kay-place
- **IMDb ID:** nm0005316
- **TMDB ID:** 5960
- **Wikidata ID:** Q238924
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Kay_Place, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q238924, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005316/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/5960

Actor and writer. Born 23 September 1947 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor, Writer, Director
- **Born:** 23 September 1947, Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA
- **Active:** 1970–2017
- **Also known as:** مری کی پلیس
- **Titles on Fi1m:** 16: 13 acting, 1 directing, 2 writing
- **Frequently works with:** [Alan Rafkin](https://film.one/person/alan-rafkin.md), [Allan Katz](https://film.one/person/allan-katz.md), [Bruce Bilson](https://film.one/person/bruce-bilson.md), [David Pollock](https://film.one/person/david-pollock.md), [Don Reo](https://film.one/person/don-reo.md), [Elias Davis](https://film.one/person/elias-davis.md), [George Tyne](https://film.one/person/george-tyne.md), [Glen Charles](https://film.one/person/glen-charles.md)
- **Primetime Emmy Awards:** 1 Emmy (1 won)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 72, as actor, over 13 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1970s 82 (4), 1980s 71 (3), 1990s 84 (3), 2000s 68 (4), 2010s 60 (2)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 71 to 65 across 12 titles
- **Score spread:** 5 at 80+, 7 at 60–79, 1 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 0 of 4 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Comedy 9, Drama 9, Crime 2, Fantasy 2, Adventure 1, Animation 1
- **Screen time:** 16 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $1,284m across 7 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Kay_Place, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q238924, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005316/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/5960

## Streaming the US now

- **Tubi:** [*The Big Chill*](https://film.one/film/the-big-chill.md) (67), [*Private Benjamin*](https://film.one/film/private-benjamin.md) (64)
- **Disney+:** [*M*A*S*H*](https://film.one/tv/m-a-s-h-1972.md) (85)
- **HBO Max:** [*Friends*](https://film.one/tv/friends.md) (78)
- **Hulu:** [*It's Complicated*](https://film.one/film/its-complicated.md) (63)

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

## Fi1m on Mary Kay Place

> Mary Kay Place spent her first working years writing other people's jokes, and it shows: she is the ensemble player who listens, times the line and gets out of the way. Films are better with her at the table, and the lead role took forty years to arrive.

Watch an ensemble scene with Mary Kay Place in it and you will probably not be watching her. That is the job as she does it. In *The Big Chill* (1983) she is one of eight mourners around a table, and our review found that she, JoBeth Williams and Tom Berenger fill it without a weak link, which is about as much attention as a good supporting player gets in a film built around Kline, Close and Hurt. In *Being John Malkovich* (1999) she plays Floris, a small part in a film we rate highly, and our review does not stop for her either. That is often how it goes with her. She has been cast again and again as the eccentric or free-thinking woman in off-centre comedies, and she plays them without asking us to find them adorable.

The career runs in the reverse of the usual order. She began as a production assistant on *The Tim Conway Comedy Hour* in the early 1970s, then wrote episodes of *All in the Family*, *M*A*S*H* and *The Mary Tyler Moore Show*, two series we count among the best of their kind. The acting came after, with Loretta Haggers in *Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman* (1976–77), a part that drew on her singing and songwriting. Then *Private Benjamin* (1980), *The Big Chill*, and a long stretch of supporting parts across film and television, with some directing along the way, including *Friends*. The writer's training is the thing to hold onto. Actors who have written know where the joke lands and what the other person in the scene needs, and they do not hurry.

We will be honest about the limit of this. We went back to *The Big Chill* to look for her and came away remembering the table rather than the face, which is either the best compliment an ensemble player can get or a sign of how little the film gave her to do. We suspect both. Kasdan lets all eight of his mourners off lightly, and Meg is not the exception.

The lead came with *Diane* (2018), more than forty years after *Mary Hartman*. We have not reviewed it, so we will not judge it here, but the notices were the warmest of her career, and they made a point many had been making quietly for years: she had been under-used. Her own view is plain. "I think my main gift that I have to offer is as an actor." From someone who has also written and directed for television, that is a modest sentence with a good deal underneath it.

If you want to see what she does, start with *The Big Chill* and watch the edges of the table. Then find *Diane*, and see what happens when someone finally points the camera at her.

## Biography

Mary Kay Place is an American actress, singer, director and screenwriter. Born on 23 September 1947 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, she graduated from the University of Tulsa and moved to Hollywood to work in television production.

She is best known for portraying Loretta Haggers on the series *Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman* (1976–1977), a role that earned her the 1977 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress – Comedy Series. Place has appeared in films including *The Big Chill* (1983), *Being John Malkovich* (1999) as Floris, and *Girl, Interrupted* (1999). She has also recorded studio albums for Columbia Records and written for series such as *M*A*S*H*.

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

## On Fi1m (16)

### Performed in (13) — the average rests on these

- *Downsizing* (2017), Fi1m 60, as Land's End Customer (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/downsizing.md)
- *Shrek Forever After* (2010), Fi1m 60, as Guard Witch (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/shrek-forever-after.md)
- *Bored to Death* (2009), Fi1m 50, as Kathryn Joiner — [page](https://film.one/tv/bored-to-death.md)
- *It's Complicated* (2009), Fi1m 63, as Joanne — [page](https://film.one/film/its-complicated.md)
- *Pushing Daisies* (2007), Fi1m 82, as Annabelle Vandersloop — [page](https://film.one/tv/pushing-daisies.md)
- *Big Love* (2006), Fi1m 79, as Adaleen Grant — [page](https://film.one/tv/big-love.md)
- *Being John Malkovich* (1999), Fi1m 89, as Floris — [page](https://film.one/film/being-john-malkovich.md)
- *The West Wing* (1999), Fi1m 86, as Millicent Griffith — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-west-wing.md)
- *Terms of Endearment* (1983), Fi1m 81, as Doris (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/terms-of-endearment.md)
- *The Big Chill* (1983), Fi1m 67, as Meg Jones — [page](https://film.one/film/the-big-chill.md)
- *Private Benjamin* (1980), Fi1m 64, as Pvt. Mary Lou Glass — [page](https://film.one/film/private-benjamin.md)
- *Bound for Glory* (1976), Fi1m 71, as Sue Ann — [page](https://film.one/film/bound-for-glory.md)
- *All in the Family* (1971), Fi1m 82, as Betty Sue — [page](https://film.one/tv/all-in-the-family.md)

### Directed (1)

- *Friends* (1994), Fi1m 78, Director — [page](https://film.one/tv/friends.md)

### Wrote (2)

- *M*A*S*H* (1972), Fi1m 85, Writer — [page](https://film.one/tv/m-a-s-h-1972.md)
- *The Mary Tyler Moore Show* (1970), Fi1m 88, Writer — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-mary-tyler-moore-show.md)

## Complete filmography (136)

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

- *My Father's Dragon* (2022), as Narrator (voice)
- *Music* (2021), as Millie
- *The Prom* (2020), as Grandma Bea
- *Lip Service* (2020), as Mom
- *9-1-1: Lone Star* (2020), series, as Theresa Blake
- *AJ and the Queen* (2020), series, as Carolanne
- *Diane* (2019), as Diane
- *State Like Sleep* (2019), as Elaine
- *The Romanoffs* (2018), series, as Marilyn Hopkins
- *Downsizing* (2017), as Land's End Customer (voice) — Fi1m 60, [page](https://film.one/film/downsizing.md)
- *Imposters* (2017), series, as Ezra's Mother, Marsha Bloom
- *Youth in Oregon* (2017), as Estelle Engersol
- *The Hollars* (2016), as Pam
- *Lady Dynamite* (2016), series, as Marilyn Bamford
- *The Intern* (2015), as Jules's Mom
- *The Breakup Girl* (2015), as Joan Baker
- *I'll See You in My Dreams* (2015), as Rona
- *Grace and Frankie* (2015), series, as Amanda
- *Holidaze* (2014), as Elaine Gerard
- *black-ish* (2014), series, as Dr. Barris
- *Miss Meadows* (2014), as Mrs. Davenport
- *Last Weekend* (2014), as Jeannie
- *Looking* (2014), series, as Aunt Sarah
- *Getting On* (2013), series, as Dr. Ann Killigrew
- *A Country Christmas Story* (2013), as Sarah
- *You're in Charge* (2013), as Penny Guidry
- *Bad Milo!* (2013), as Beatrice
- *The New Normal* (2012), series, as Colleen
- *Smashed* (2012), as Rochelle
- *Suburgatory* (2011), series, as Gam Gam — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/tv/suburgatory.md)
- *Shameless* (2011), series, as Oopie Tamietti — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/tv/shameless-2011.md)
- *Leonie* (2010), as Albiana
- *Shrek Forever After* (2010), as Guard Witch (voice) — Fi1m 60, [page](https://film.one/film/shrek-forever-after.md)
- *It's Complicated* (2009), as Joanne — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/film/its-complicated.md)
- *Bored to Death* (2009), series, as Kathryn Joiner — Fi1m 50, [page](https://film.one/tv/bored-to-death.md)
- *Youth in Revolt* (2009), as Mrs. Saunders
- *Julie & Julia* (2009), as Julie's Mom (voice) — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/film/julie-and-julia.md)
- *The Toe Tactic* (2009), as Mom
- *City of Ember* (2008), as Mrs. Murdo
- *The Mentalist* (2008), series, as Belinda Bittacker — Fi1m 71, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-mentalist.md)
- *Mama's Boy* (2007), as Barbara
- *Grace Is Gone* (2007), as Woman at Funeral
- *War Eagle, Arkansas* (2007), as Jessie, Wheel's Mother
- *Pushing Daisies* (2007), series, as Annabelle Vandersloop — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/pushing-daisies.md)
- *Californication* (2007), series, as Faith's Mother — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/tv/californication.md)
- *Saving Grace* (2007), series, as Dorothy Edwina Talbert
- *The Minor Accomplishments of Jackie Woodman* (2006), series, Director
- *Big Love* (2006), series, as Adaleen Grant — Fi1m 79, [page](https://film.one/tv/big-love.md)
- *Lonesome Jim* (2005), as Sally
- *Nine Lives* (2005), as Dr. Alma Wyatt
- *Grey's Anatomy* (2005), series, as Olive Warner — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/tv/greys-anatomy.md)
- *Numb3rs* (2005), series, as Hester Stirling
- *Silver City* (2004), as Grace Seymour
- *Making of 'Latter Days'* (2004), as Sister Gladys Davis (archive footage)
- *Nobody Knows Anything!* (2004), as Mrs. McClintock
- *Death and Texas* (2004), as Mrs. Kim
- *Latter Days* (2004), as Sister Gladys Davis
- *Evergreen* (2004), as Susan
- *Killer Diller* (2004), as Dr. Gwen Bradley
- *The Handler* (2003), series, Actor
- *The Safety of Objects* (2002), as Helen Christianson
- *Sweet Home Alabama* (2002), as Pearl Smooter
- *My First Mister* (2001), as Patty (Nurse)
- *Undeclared* (2001), series, as Mrs. Lindquist
- *Human Nature* (2001), as Nathan's Mother
- *A Woman's a Helluva Thing* (2001), as Cecilia Piloski
- *Further Tales of the City* (2001), series, as Prue Giroux
- *Nailed* (2001), as Fern Romano
- *The Tulsa Lynching of 1921: A Hidden Story* (2000), Actor
- *Committed* (2000), as Psychiatrist
- *Girl, Interrupted* (1999), as Mrs. Gilcrest
- *Being John Malkovich* (1999), as Floris — Fi1m 89, [page](https://film.one/film/being-john-malkovich.md)
- *Naturally Native* (1999), as Madame Celeste
- *The West Wing* (1999), series, as Millicent Griffith — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-west-wing.md)
- *Law & Order: Special Victims Unit* (1999), series, as Hope Garrett
- *Judgment Day: The Ellie Nesler Story* (1999), as Jan
- *Family Guy* (1999), series, as Farting Lady (voice) — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/tv/family-guy.md)
- *Point Last Seen* (1998), as Coreen Davis
- *Pecker* (1998), as Joyce
- *The Wild Thornberrys* (1998), series, as Nancy Tucker (voice)
- *How to Make the Cruelest Month* (1998), as Mary Bryant
- *The Rainmaker* (1997), as Dot Black
- *Love in Another Town* (1997), as Sam
- *Eye of God* (1997), as Claire Spencer
- *King of the Hill* (1997), series, as Melly-Anne (voice), Helen Pell (voice), Mrs. Stovall (voice) — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/king-of-the-hill-1997.md)
- *Citizen Ruth* (1996), as Gail Stoney
- *For My Daughter's Honor* (1996), as Betty Ann Dustin
- *Arli$$* (1996), series, Director
- *Manny & Lo* (1996), as Elaine
- *Talking With* (1995), as April March (segment "Twirler")
- *Friends* (1994), series, Director — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/friends.md)
- *Chicago Hope* (1994), series, as Joanna Kenneally
- *My So-Called Life* (1994), series, as Camille Cherski — Fi1m 87, [page](https://film.one/tv/my-so-called-life.md)
- *Teresa's Tattoo* (1994), as Nora
- *In the Line of Duty: The Price of Vengeance* (1994), as Norma Williams
- *Tales of the City* (1993), series, as Prue Giroux
- *Telling Secrets* (1993), as Shelley Jefferson Carp
- *Just My Imagination* (1992), as Shilda Hawk
- *Samantha* (1992), as Marilyn
- *Captain Ron* (1992), as Katherine Harvey
- *Bed of Lies* (1992), as Jean Daniel Murph
- *Crazy From the Heart* (1991), as Merrilee Playton
- *Bright Angel* (1990), as Judy
- *Dream On* (1990), series, Director
- *The New Lassie* (1989), series, Director
- *Out on the Edge* (1989), as Sondra Evetts
- *Baby Boom* (1988), series, Director
- *Portrait of a White Marriage* (1988), as Joyce Harrison
- *A New Life* (1988), as Donna
- *thirtysomething* (1987), series, Actor
- *The Girl Who Spelled Freedom* (1986), as Prissy Thrash
- *The History of White People in America: Volume II* (1986), as Joyce Harrison
- *Smooth Talk* (1985), as Katherine Wyatt
- *Explorers* (1985), as Mrs. Crandall (uncredited)
- *The History of White People in America* (1985), as Joyce Harrison
- *For Love or Money* (1984), as K.K.
- *Mom's on Strike* (1984), as Ellie Skinner
- *Terms of Endearment* (1983), as Doris (voice) — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/film/terms-of-endearment.md)
- *The Big Chill* (1983), as Meg Jones — Fi1m 67, [page](https://film.one/film/the-big-chill.md)
- *Waltz Across Texas* (1982), as Kit Peabody
- *American Playhouse* (1982), series, as Katherine, Prue Giroux
- *Modern Problems* (1981), as Lorraine
- *Private Benjamin* (1980), as Pvt. Mary Lou Glass — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/private-benjamin.md)
- *Act of Love* (1980), as Becky Wiggins
- *Starting Over* (1979), as Marie
- *More American Graffiti* (1979), as Teensa
- *Forever Fernwood* (1977), series, Actor
- *New York, New York* (1977), as Bernice Bennett
- *Bound for Glory* (1976), as Sue Ann — Fi1m 71, [page](https://film.one/film/bound-for-glory.md)
- *Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman* (1976), series, as Loretta Haggers
- *Phyllis* (1975), series, Writer
- *Paul Sand in Friends and Lovers* (1974), series, Writer
- *ABC Afterschool Special* (1972), series, as Ellie Skinner
- *M*A*S*H* (1972), series, as Lt. Louise Simmons · Writer — Fi1m 85, [page](https://film.one/tv/m-a-s-h-1972.md)
- *All in the Family* (1971), series, as Betty Sue — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/all-in-the-family.md)
- *The Mary Tyler Moore Show* (1970), series, as Sally Jo Hochkiss · Writer — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-mary-tyler-moore-show.md)

## Gallery

- ![Mary Kay Place](https://film.one/media/person/88386/gallery-43b7ead12636.jpg) Mary Kay Place — Image via TMDB
- ![Mary Kay Place](https://film.one/media/person/88386/gallery-f89c24f4189f.jpg) Mary Kay Place — Image via TMDB

## Awards

### Primetime Emmy Awards — 1 won

- 1977: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series (won), for *Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman*

*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/mary-kay-place