---
name: "Parker Posey"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/parker-posey"
fi1m_id: "parker-posey"
imdb_id: "nm0000205"
tmdb_id: 7489
wikidata_id: "Q204586"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "8 November 1968"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 15
average_fi1m_score: 72
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 15
updated: "2026-10-23T04:05:18.852842+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."
---

# Parker Posey

## Identity

Parker Posey

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/parker-posey
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** parker-posey
- **IMDb ID:** nm0000205
- **TMDB ID:** 7489
- **Wikidata ID:** Q204586
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parker_Posey, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q204586, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000205/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/7489

Actor. Born 8 November 1968 in Baltimore, Maryland, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 8 November 1968, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- **Active:** 1993–present
- **Also known as:** Parker Christian Posey
- **Average Fi1m score:** 72, as actor, over 15 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1990s 78 (3), 2000s 66 (5), 2010s 79 (2), 2020s 73 (5)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 72 to 69 across 15 titles
- **Score spread:** 6 at 80+, 7 at 60–79, 2 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 0 of 9 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Comedy 11, Drama 8, Mystery 3, Adventure 2, Crime 2, Action 1
- **Screen time:** 14 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $825m across 6 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parker_Posey, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q204586, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000205/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/7489

## Coming up

- *Wild Horse Nine* (2026-11-04), as Marge — [page](https://film.one/film/wild-horse-nine.md)

## Streaming the US now

- **Apple TV:** [*Best in Show*](https://film.one/film/best-in-show.md) (84), [*You've Got Mail*](https://film.one/film/youve-got-mail.md) (66), [*Scream 3*](https://film.one/film/scream-3.md) (52)
- **HBO Max:** [*The Staircase*](https://film.one/tv/the-staircase-2022.md) (75), [*Superman Returns*](https://film.one/film/superman-returns.md) (60), [*Bored to Death*](https://film.one/tv/bored-to-death.md) (50)
- **Tubi:** [*Columbus*](https://film.one/film/columbus.md) (82), [*Beau Is Afraid*](https://film.one/film/beau-is-afraid.md) (60)
- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Louie*](https://film.one/tv/louie.md) (76)

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

## Fi1m on Parker Posey

> Parker Posey makes self-involved women funny without softening their unpleasantness. We rate her most highly in Christopher Guest's ensembles, where her clipped delivery and precise timing have other actors to work against.

In *Best in Show* (2000), Parker Posey's Meg Swan is abrasive enough to make us grateful that we are only watching her. Posey does not soften her, and she does not signal that she expects applause for being funny. Her clipped, sometimes sing-song delivery suits people who seem wholly satisfied with themselves. We laughed at Meg because Posey plays that self-satisfaction without asking us to share it. There is skill in making an unpleasant character worth spending time with, especially when the performance is this broad.

Her independent films of the 1990s established that difficult company as a speciality, though *Party Girl* (1995) also gave her a lead rather than another small part. Before it, she had played ruthless cheerleader Darla in Richard Linklater's *Dazed and Confused* (1993). Her work with Guest began with *Waiting for Guffman* (1996), and his improvisational comedies remain the clearest fit for the timing and eccentricity we value in her. In that setting, a clipped reply has to work alongside another actor's rhythm.

*Best in Show* is the strongest evidence in the films we have reviewed. Guest gives the broad performances room, while keeping the actors from appearing too eager to display their cleverness. Catherine O'Hara's Cookie Fleck carries an embarrassment that seems habitual, which makes a useful contrast with Meg's sharper manner. A few routines settle into repetition, and Posey's forcefulness would be tiring if everyone around her played at the same pitch. The ensemble matters: we would not want the whole film to sound like Meg.

The 2000s brought mainstream roles, followed by television work including *Lost in Space* (2018–2021) and *The White Lotus* (2025), in which she plays Victoria Ratliff. Self-involved supporting women remain a recurring assignment, and casting her for that alone risks making her seem predictable before she has spoken. She is welcome as Elaine Bray in Ari Aster's *Beau Is Afraid* (2023), but the film still lets too many sections run long, with Lucian Johnston's editing doing little to curb them. It is a useful reminder not to confuse pleasure in her company with a recommendation for everything she appears in. Start with *Best in Show*, where even the people we would avoid at a party are worth listening to.

## Biography

Parker Posey is an American actress. Born on 8 November 1968 in Baltimore, Maryland, she trained at the State University of New York at Purchase and began her career with a role on the soap opera As the World Turns before making her film debut in Joey Breaker (1993).

She gained prominence in independent cinema with roles in Dazed and Confused (1993), Party Girl (1995), The House of Yes (1997) and Clockwatchers (1997), and has collaborated frequently with director Christopher Guest on films including Waiting for Guffman (1996), Best in Show (2000), A Mighty Wind (2003) and For Your Consideration (2006). Other credits include Scream 3 (2000), Superman Returns (2006), Irrational Man (2015), Café Society (2016), Beau Is Afraid (2023) and the series Lost in Space (2018–2021) and The White Lotus (2025). She has received nominations for a Golden Globe Award and two Independent Spirit Awards.

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

## On Fi1m (15)

- *Mr. & Mrs. Smith* (2024), Fi1m 73, as Other Jane — [page](https://film.one/tv/mr-and-mrs-smith.md)
- *Beau Is Afraid* (2023), Fi1m 60, as Elaine Bray — [page](https://film.one/film/beau-is-afraid.md)
- *The Staircase* (2022), Fi1m 75, as Freda Black — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-staircase-2022.md)
- *The White Lotus* (2021), Fi1m 85, as Victoria Ratliff — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-white-lotus.md)
- *High Fidelity* (2020), Fi1m 70, as Noreen Parker — [page](https://film.one/tv/high-fidelity-2020.md)
- *Columbus* (2017), Fi1m 82, as Eleanor — [page](https://film.one/film/columbus.md)
- *Louie* (2010), Fi1m 76, as Liz — [page](https://film.one/tv/louie.md)
- *Bored to Death* (2009), Fi1m 50, as Michelle Whiting — [page](https://film.one/tv/bored-to-death.md)
- *Parks and Recreation* (2009), Fi1m 83, as Lindsay Carlisle Shay — [page](https://film.one/tv/parks-and-recreation.md)
- *Superman Returns* (2006), Fi1m 60, as Kitty Kowalski — [page](https://film.one/film/superman-returns.md)
- *Best in Show* (2000), Fi1m 84, as Meg Swan — [page](https://film.one/film/best-in-show.md)
- *Scream 3* (2000), Fi1m 52, as Jennifer Jolie — [page](https://film.one/film/scream-3.md)
- *Futurama* (1999), Fi1m 81, as Umbriel (voice) — [page](https://film.one/tv/futurama.md)
- *You've Got Mail* (1998), Fi1m 66, as Patricia Eden — [page](https://film.one/film/youve-got-mail.md)
- *Dazed and Confused* (1993), Fi1m 86, as Darla — [page](https://film.one/film/dazed-and-confused.md)

## Complete filmography (101)

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

- *Wild Horse Nine* (2026), as Marge — coming soon, [page](https://film.one/film/wild-horse-nine.md)
- *The Parenting* (2025), as Brenda
- *Christmas Eve in Miller's Point* (2024), Thanks
- *Thelma* (2024), as Gail
- *Mr. & Mrs. Smith* (2024), series, as Other Jane — Fi1m 73, [page](https://film.one/tv/mr-and-mrs-smith.md)
- *Beau Is Afraid* (2023), as Elaine Bray — Fi1m 60, [page](https://film.one/film/beau-is-afraid.md)
- *Marvel's Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur* (2023), series, as Kat Swan (voice)
- *Tales of the Walking Dead* (2022), series, as Blair Crawford
- *The Staircase* (2022), series, as Freda Black — Fi1m 75, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-staircase-2022.md)
- *The White Lotus* (2021), series, as Victoria Ratliff — Fi1m 85, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-white-lotus.md)
- *The Booksellers* (2020), Executive Producer
- *High Fidelity* (2020), series, as Noreen Parker — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/tv/high-fidelity-2020.md)
- *Elsewhere* (2020), as Marie
- *The Con Is On* (2018), as Gina
- *Lost in Space* (2018), series, as June Harris / Dr. Zoe Smith
- *Columbus* (2017), as Eleanor — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/columbus.md)
- *Search Party* (2016), series, as Brick — Fi1m 92, [page](https://film.one/tv/search-party-2016.md)
- *Mascots* (2016), as Cindi Babineaux
- *My Art* (2016), as Angie
- *Palacetor* (2016), as The Magician
- *The Architect* (2016), as Drew
- *Café Society* (2016), as Rad Taylor
- *Irrational Man* (2015), as Rita
- *Ned Rifle* (2015), as Fay Grim
- *Grace of Monaco* (2014), as Madge Tivey-Faucon
- *Hairbrained* (2013), as Sheila Pettifog
- *Highland Park* (2013), as Shirley Paine
- *And Now a Word from Our Sponsor* (2013), as Karen Hillridge
- *Price Check* (2012), as Susan Felders
- *Hemingway & Gellhorn* (2012), as Mary Welsh Hemingway
- *The Love Guide* (2011), as Angelica Lovecraft
- *Inside Out* (2011), as Claire Small
- *New Girl* (2011), series, as Casey — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/tv/new-girl.md)
- *Portlandia* (2011), series, as Branding Expert
- *Grab* (2011), as Narrator
- *Louie* (2010), series, as Liz — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/tv/louie.md)
- *Happy Tears* (2009), as Jane
- *The Good Wife* (2009), series, as Vanessa Gold — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-good-wife.md)
- *Bored to Death* (2009), series, as Michelle Whiting — Fi1m 50, [page](https://film.one/tv/bored-to-death.md)
- *Spring Breakdown* (2009), as Becky St. Germaine
- *Parks and Recreation* (2009), series, as Lindsay Carlisle Shay — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/tv/parks-and-recreation.md)
- *The Return of Jezebel James* (2008), series, as Sarah Tompkins
- *The Eye* (2008), as Helen Wells
- *Broken English* (2007), as Nora Wilder
- *Fay Grim* (2007), as Fay Grim
- *For Your Consideration* (2006), as Callie Webb
- *Superman Returns* (2006), as Kitty Kowalski — Fi1m 60, [page](https://film.one/film/superman-returns.md)
- *The Oh in Ohio* (2006), as Priscilla Chase
- *Adam & Steve* (2005), as Rhonda
- *Blade: Trinity* (2004), as Danica Talos
- *Frankenstein* (2004), as Detective Carson O'Conner
- *Boston Legal* (2004), series, as Marlene Stanger — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/tv/boston-legal.md)
- *Laws of Attraction* (2004), as Serena
- *A Mighty Wind* (2003), as Sissy Knox
- *The Event* (2003), as Nick Devivo
- *Hell on Heels: The Battle of Mary Kay* (2002), as Jinger Heath
- *The Sweetest Thing* (2002), as Judy Webb
- *Personal Velocity* (2002), as Greta Herskowitz
- *The Anniversary Party* (2001), as Judy Adams
- *Further Tales of the City* (2001), series, as Connie Bradshaw Fetzner
- *Josie and the Pussycats* (2001), as Fiona
- *Best in Show* (2000), as Meg Swan — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/best-in-show.md)
- *Scream 3* (2000), as Jennifer Jolie — Fi1m 52, [page](https://film.one/film/scream-3.md)
- *The Venice Project* (1999), as Myra
- *Futurama* (1999), series, as Umbriel (voice) — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/tv/futurama.md)
- *The Misadventures of Margaret* (1998), as Margaret Nathan
- *You've Got Mail* (1998), as Patricia Eden — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/film/youve-got-mail.md)
- *Will & Grace* (1998), series, as Dorleen
- *What Rats Won't Do* (1998), as Mirella Burton
- *Henry Fool* (1998), as Fay Grim
- *More Tales of the City* (1998), series, as Connie Bradshaw
- *The House of Yes* (1997), as Jackie-O
- *Dinner at Fred's* (1997), as Celia
- *Clockwatchers* (1997), as Margaret J. Burrell
- *Drunks* (1997), as Debbie
- *The Daytrippers* (1997), as Jo Malone
- *SubUrbia* (1997), as Erica
- *Waiting for Guffman* (1997), as Libby Mae Brown
- *Basquiat* (1996), as Mary Boone
- *Flirt* (1996), as Emily
- *Frisk* (1996), as Ferguson
- *The Doom Generation* (1995), as Brandi
- *Kicking and Screaming* (1995), as Miami
- *Party Girl* (1995), as Mary
- *Mixed Nuts* (1994), as Rollerblader
- *Sleep with Me* (1994), as Athena
- *Amateur* (1994), as Girl Squatter
- *Dead Connection* (1994), as Denise
- *Iris* (1994), Actor
- *Opera No. 1* (1994), as Fairy #1
- *Tracey Ullman Takes on New York* (1993), Actor
- *Tales of the City* (1993), series, as Connie Bradshaw
- *Dazed and Confused* (1993), as Darla — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/film/dazed-and-confused.md)
- *Flirt* (1993), as Emily
- *Description of a Struggle* (1993), as Wanda
- *Coneheads* (1993), as Stephanie
- *Joey Breaker* (1993), as Irena Kildare
- *Laws of Gravity* (1992), Thanks
- *First Love, Fatal Love* (1991), Actor
- *The Simpsons* (1989), series, as Becky (voice) — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-simpsons.md)
- *American Playhouse* (1982), series, as Connie Bradshaw

## Gallery

- ![Parker Posey](https://film.one/media/person/18510/gallery-e524949185a7.jpg) Parker Posey — LucaFazPhoto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ef/Parker_Posey_at_83rd_Venice_International_Film_Festival-17_%28cropped%29.jpg/1280px-Parker_Posey_at_83rd_Venice_International_Film_Festival-17_%28cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Ben Affleck at the premiere for He's Just Not That Into You. (2012)](https://film.one/media/person/18510/gallery-3c9c45ff75dc.jpg) Ben Affleck at the premiere for He's Just Not That Into You. (2012) — Jason_London_by_David_Shankbone.jpg: David Shankbone
Mmcwikipedia2.jpg: The original uploader was Ranaroyale at English Wikipedia.
Cole_Hauser.jpg: Greg Hernandez
MillaJovovitchApr10.jpg: Guillaume Paumier
Milla Jovovich Oct (cropped).jpg:
Ben_Affleck_2009_2.jpg: Angela George at https://www.flickr.com/photos/sharongraphics/
Parker_Posey_@_Fox_Upfronts_2007_02_(cropped).jpg: Arnold Gatilao from Fremont, CA, USA
derivative work: Darkwarriorblake, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b7/Cast_of_Dazed_and_Confused.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![The cast of Fay Grim: Liam Aiken, Chuck Montgomery, Saffron Burrows, Jeff Goldblum, Parker Posey and director Hal Hartley (2006)](https://film.one/media/person/18510/gallery-fbaa6a06edfc.jpg) The cast of Fay Grim: Liam Aiken, Chuck Montgomery, Saffron Burrows, Jeff Goldblum, Parker Posey and director Hal Hartley (2006) — Missy from Brooklyn, New York City, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9d/Faygrimmcast.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Parker Posey at Fox Upfronts 2007.](https://film.one/media/person/18510/gallery-8d4127b554e4.jpg) Parker Posey at Fox Upfronts 2007. — Arnold Gatilao from Fremont, CA, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/52/File-Parker_Posey_%40_Fox_Upfronts_2007_01_%28cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Parker Posey](https://film.one/media/person/18510/gallery-e7dbd884653d.jpg) Parker Posey — Image via TMDB
- ![Parker Posey](https://film.one/media/person/18510/gallery-f6f842089dad.jpg) Parker Posey — Image via TMDB
- ![Parker Posey](https://film.one/media/person/18510/gallery-27b920c74a62.jpg) Parker Posey — Image via TMDB
- ![Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Parker Posey (2012)](https://film.one/media/person/18510/gallery-9ef9fe152a40.jpg) Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Parker Posey (2012) — PunkToad from oakland, us, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c9/Joseph_Gordon-Levitt_and_Parker_Posey.jpg/1280px-Joseph_Gordon-Levitt_and_Parker_Posey.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Leslie Bibb, Steve Rockwell and Parker Posey attend the "Wild Horse Nine" Screening during the 83rd Venice International Film Festival at Sala Grande on Septemb (2026)](https://film.one/media/person/18510/gallery-4d0ee6fb3def.jpg) Leslie Bibb, Steve Rockwell and Parker Posey attend the "Wild Horse Nine" Screening during the 83rd Venice International Film Festival at Sala Grande on Septemb (2026) — Colleen Sturtevant, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e4/Leslie_Bibb_Sam_Rockwell_Parker_Posey_83rd_Venice_Film_Festival.jpg/1280px-Leslie_Bibb_Sam_Rockwell_Parker_Posey_83rd_Venice_Film_Festival.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Parker Posey](https://film.one/media/person/18510/gallery-ed13f48b5a5a.jpg) Parker Posey — Image via TMDB
- ![Parker Posey](https://film.one/media/person/18510/gallery-47d380c7081f.jpg) Parker Posey — Image via TMDB
- ![Parker Posey](https://film.one/media/person/18510/gallery-37ff539e5cbe.jpg) Parker Posey — Image via TMDB

## Awards

### Other awards — 1 won

- Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Featured Actress 2005: Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Featured Actress (won)

*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/parker-posey