---
name: "Penelope Ann Miller"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/penelope-ann-miller"
fi1m_id: "penelope-ann-miller"
imdb_id: "nm0000542"
tmdb_id: 14698
wikidata_id: "Q235002"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "13 January 1964"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 5
average_fi1m_score: 71
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 5
updated: "2026-10-05T01:03:44.817771+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."
---

# Penelope Ann Miller

## Identity

Penelope Ann Miller

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/penelope-ann-miller
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** penelope-ann-miller
- **IMDb ID:** nm0000542
- **TMDB ID:** 14698
- **Wikidata ID:** Q235002
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penelope_Ann_Miller, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q235002, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000542/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/14698

Actor. Born 13 January 1964 in Los Angeles, California, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 13 January 1964, Los Angeles, California, USA
- **Active:** 1990–present
- **Also known as:** Penelope Miller, Пенелопа Энн Миллер, پنلوپه آن میلر
- **Frequently works with:** [Linda Hunt](https://film.one/person/linda-hunt.md)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 71, as actor, over 5 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1990s 75 (3), 2010s 82 (1), 2020s 51 (1)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 71 to 65 across 5 titles
- **Score spread:** 2 at 80+, 2 at 60–79, 1 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 1 of 4 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 4, Comedy 2, Crime 2, Romance 1, Thriller 1
- **Screen time:** 8 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $451m across 4 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penelope_Ann_Miller, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q235002, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000542/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/14698

## Streaming the US now

- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Carlito's Way*](https://film.one/film/carlitos-way.md) (86)
- **Pluto TV:** [*The Artist*](https://film.one/film/the-artist.md) (82)
- **Tubi:** [*Awakenings*](https://film.one/film/awakenings.md) (73)
- **Apple TV:** [*Kindergarten Cop*](https://film.one/film/kindergarten-cop.md) (65)

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

## Fi1m on Penelope Ann Miller

> We value Penelope Ann Miller for making tenderness convincing beside actors with the larger parts. *Carlito's Way* gives her room to do that, and her scenes with Al Pacino are among its strongest.

In *Carlito's Way* (1993), Penelope Ann Miller's scenes as Gail let a gangster film slow down long enough for tenderness. Al Pacino responds to her by letting the wish for a different life show through his weariness. We were moved more than we expected, because those quiet exchanges made that wish seem worth taking seriously. Brian De Palma's set pieces justify the wait, but Miller helps make the time between them matter.

Her career has frequently placed her in romantic or supportive roles beside male leads. Small film parts in *Adventures in Babysitting* (1987) and *Biloxi Blues* (1988) preceded more prominent supporting work in *The Freshman* (1990), *Awakenings* (1990) and *Kindergarten Cop* (1990). The last of these also gave her opportunities to use her comic timing. There is a practical limitation to this sort of casting: an actress can make somebody else's story more convincing without being given much of a story herself.

In Penny Marshall's *Awakenings*, where Miller plays Paula, Robert De Niro and Robin Williams are the chief reasons for our recommendation. They make the film's concern for its patients convincing, despite a script and score that press too hard. We would not make a case for Miller by pretending that every film she appears in depends on her. *Carlito's Way* gives us firmer grounds: her exchanges with Pacino bring welcome tenderness, even while David Koepp's screenplay lets the middle dwell too long on a predicament we have already understood.

Later supporting work includes *The Artist* (2011) and the television programme *Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story* (2022). Miller has pursued varied roles to avoid being confined to the girl-next-door parts of her early career, a sensible response to casting that can ask an actress to keep providing the same reassurance. That makes us interested in what else she is given to play, without making every change of role an achievement in itself. Start with *Carlito's Way*, and give its quiet conversations the attention usually reserved for De Palma's set pieces.

## Biography

Penelope Ann Miller is an American actress. Born Penelope Andrea Miller on 13 January 1964 in Los Angeles, she began her career on Broadway, appearing in the original production of *Biloxi Blues* (1985–1986) and receiving a Tony Award nomination for the 1988–1989 revival of *Our Town*.

She came to prominence in the early 1990s with film roles including *The Freshman* (1990), *Awakenings* (1990) as Paula, *Kindergarten Cop* (1990) and *Carlito's Way* (1993) as Gail, for which she received a Golden Globe nomination for best supporting actress. Her other credits include *The Artist* (2011) and the Netflix series *DAHMER – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story* (2022) as Joyce Dahmer. She is the daughter of actor and producer Mark Miller.

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

## On Fi1m (5)

- *DAHMER - Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story* (2022), Fi1m 51, as Joyce Dahmer — [page](https://film.one/tv/dahmer-monster-the-jeffrey-dahmer-story.md)
- *The Artist* (2011), Fi1m 82, as Doris Valentin — [page](https://film.one/film/the-artist.md)
- *Carlito's Way* (1993), Fi1m 86, as Gail — [page](https://film.one/film/carlitos-way.md)
- *Awakenings* (1990), Fi1m 73, as Paula — [page](https://film.one/film/awakenings.md)
- *Kindergarten Cop* (1990), Fi1m 65, as Joyce — [page](https://film.one/film/kindergarten-cop.md)

## Complete filmography (91)

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

- *Love - Love* (2026), Actor
- *After All* (2025), as Verna Sharpe
- *Reagan* (2024), as Nancy Reagan
- *Murder at Hollow Creek* (2024), as Lori Rhodes
- *The Open Door* (2024), as Mrs. Claire Sapp
- *DAHMER - Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story* (2022), series, as Joyce Dahmer — Fi1m 51, [page](https://film.one/tv/dahmer-monster-the-jeffrey-dahmer-story.md)
- *The Virgin of Highland Park* (2022), Actor
- *Adverse* (2021), as Nicole
- *The College Admissions Scandal* (2019), as Caroline DeVere
- *American Dresser* (2018), as Vera
- *The Black Ghiandola* (2017), as Ghiandola Anita Aceto
- *NY Prison Break: The Seduction of Joyce Mitchell* (2017), as Joyce Mitchell
- *Riverdale* (2017), series, as Mrs. Wright
- *The Birth of a Nation* (2016), as Elizabeth Turner
- *The Bronx Bull* (2016), as Debbie Forrester
- *Broken* (2016), as Elizabeth Hamilton
- *American Crime* (2015), series, as Eve Carlin
- *Robosapien: Rebooted* (2013), as Joanna
- *Saving Lincoln* (2013), as Mary Todd Lincoln
- *Think of Me* (2011), as Louise
- *The Artist* (2011), as Doris Valentin — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/the-artist.md)
- *Flipped* (2010), as Trina Baker
- *Men of a Certain Age* (2009), series, as Sonia Tranelli
- *Saving Grace B. Jones* (2009), as Bea Bretthorst
- *The Deadliest Lesson* (2008), as Gloria
- *Blonde Ambition* (2007), as Debra
- *The Messengers* (2007), as Denise
- *The Deal: El trato* (2006), as Laura Martin
- *Vanished* (2006), series, as Jessica Nevins
- *Funny Money* (2006), as Carol Perkins
- *Criminal Minds* (2005), series, as Dr. Elizabeth Rhodes — Fi1m 60, [page](https://film.one/tv/criminal-minds.md)
- *Personal Effects* (2005), as Bonnie Locke
- *I Love the '90s: Part Deux* (2005), series, Actor
- *Carry Me Home* (2004), as Harriet
- *Desperate Housewives* (2004), series, as Fran Ferrara — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/desperate-housewives.md)
- *CSI: NY* (2004), series, as Rose Whitley
- *Holiday Reunion* (2003), as Pauline Snider
- *A Minute with Stan Hooper* (2003), series, as Molly Hooper
- *Rudy: The Rudy Giuliani Story* (2003), as Donna Hanover
- *Scared Silent* (2002), as Kathy Clifson
- *Dead in a Heartbeat* (2002), as Gillian Hayes
- *A Woman's a Helluva Thing* (2001), as Zane Douglas
- *Full Disclosure* (2001), as Michelle
- *A Nero Wolfe Mystery* (2001), series, as Lucy Valdon
- *Along Came a Spider* (2001), as Elizabeth Rose
- *Dodson's Journey* (2001), as Meredith Dodson
- *Forever Lulu* (2000), as Claire clifton
- *Lisa Picard Is Famous* (2000), as Penelope Ann Miller
- *All-American Girl: The Mary Kay Letourneau Story* (2000), as Mary Kay Letourneau
- *Chapter Zero* (1999), as Cassandra
- *Killing Moon* (1999), as Laura Chadwick
- *Rocky Marciano* (1999), as Barbara Cousins
- *Outside Ozona* (1998), as Earlene Demers
- *Break Up* (1998), as Grace
- *The Closer* (1998), series, Actor
- *Ruby Bridges* (1998), as Barbara Henry
- *Rhapsody in Bloom* (1998), as Lilah Bloom
- *Merry Christmas, George Bailey* (1997), as Mary Hatch Bailey
- *The Hired Heart* (1997), as Garnet Hadley
- *The Last Don* (1997), series, as Nalene De Lena
- *Little City* (1997), as Rebecca
- *The Relic* (1997), as Dr. Margo Green
- *Witch Hunt* (1994), as Kim Hudson
- *The Shadow* (1994), as Margo Lane
- *Carlito's Way* (1993), as Gail — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/film/carlitos-way.md)
- *Chaplin* (1992), as Edna Purviance
- *The Gun in Betty Lou's Handbag* (1992), as Betty Lou
- *Year of the Comet* (1992), as Margaret Harwood
- *Other People's Money* (1991), as Kate Sullivan
- *Kindergarten Cop* (1990), as Joyce — Fi1m 65, [page](https://film.one/film/kindergarten-cop.md)
- *Awakenings* (1990), as Paula — Fi1m 73, [page](https://film.one/film/awakenings.md)
- *The Freshman* (1990), as Tina Sabatini
- *Downtown* (1990), as Lori Mitchell
- *Our Town* (1989), as Emily Webb
- *Dead Bang* (1989), as Linda Kimble
- *Miles from Home* (1988), as Sally
- *Big Top Pee-wee* (1988), as Winnie
- *Biloxi Blues* (1988), as Daisy
- *Adventures in Babysitting* (1987), as Brenda
- *The Popcorn Kid* (1987), series, as Gwen Stottlemeyer
- *Hotshot* (1987), as Mary
- *Tales from the Darkside* (1984), series, as Keena
- *Miami Vice* (1984), series, as Jill Ryder — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/tv/miami-vice.md)
- *St. Elsewhere* (1982), series, as Laurel — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/st-elsewhere.md)
- *Family Ties* (1982), series, as Joyce
- *The Facts of Life* (1979), series, Actor
- *Great Performances* (1971), series, as Emily Webb
- *Never Again*, Actor
- *Wake*, Actor
- *Sundown*, as Audrey
- *Six Days in Evergreen*, as Diane

## Gallery

- ![Anne-Sophie Bion & Penelope Ann Miller & Michel Hazanavicius at the ACE Eddie Awards 2012.](https://film.one/media/person/77692/gallery-2db752f82b31.jpg) Anne-Sophie Bion & Penelope Ann Miller & Michel Hazanavicius at the ACE Eddie Awards 2012. — MingleMediaTVNetwork, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4a/Anne-Sophie_Bion%2C_Penelope_Ann_Miller%2C_Michel_Hazanavicious.jpg/1280px-Anne-Sophie_Bion%2C_Penelope_Ann_Miller%2C_Michel_Hazanavicious.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Penelope Ann Miller](https://film.one/media/person/77692/gallery-e0709b66f5c6.jpg) Penelope Ann Miller — MingleMediaTVNetwork, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ed/Penelope_Ann_Miller.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Penelope Ann Miller](https://film.one/media/person/77692/gallery-2692835defae.jpg) Penelope Ann Miller — Image via TMDB
- ![Penelope Ann Miller](https://film.one/media/person/77692/gallery-e827d07064f4.jpg) Penelope Ann Miller — Image via TMDB
- ![Penelope Ann Miller](https://film.one/media/person/77692/gallery-316ed038dda0.jpg) Penelope Ann Miller — Image via TMDB
- ![Penelope Ann Miller](https://film.one/media/person/77692/gallery-f5e9d42a8d4d.jpg) Penelope Ann Miller — Image via TMDB
- ![Penelope Ann Miller](https://film.one/media/person/77692/gallery-94a3412adefa.jpg) Penelope Ann Miller — Image via TMDB
- ![Penelope Ann Miller](https://film.one/media/person/77692/gallery-8fb9061dd902.jpg) Penelope Ann Miller — Image via TMDB

## Awards

### Other awards — 0 won, 1 nominated

- Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play 1989: 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/penelope-ann-miller