--- name: "Veronica Cartwright" canonical: "https://film.one/person/veronica-cartwright" fi1m_id: "veronica-cartwright" imdb_id: "nm0001021" tmdb_id: 5047 wikidata_id: "Q283872" roles: ["Actor"] born: "20 April 1949" reviewed_on_fi1m: 8 average_fi1m_score: 83 average_as: "actor" average_over: 8 updated: "2026-10-04T20:07:46.263005+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." --- # Veronica Cartwright ## Identity Veronica Cartwright - **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/veronica-cartwright - **Type:** Person - **Fi1m ID:** veronica-cartwright - **IMDb ID:** nm0001021 - **TMDB ID:** 5047 - **Wikidata ID:** Q283872 - **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veronica_Cartwright, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q283872, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001021/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/5047 Actor. Born 20 April 1949 in Bristol, England, UK. ## Details - **Work:** Actor - **Born:** 20 April 1949, Bristol, England, UK - **Active:** 1959–present - **Also known as:** ورونیکا کارت رایت, ورونیکا کارترایت - **Frequently works with:** [Philip Kaufman](https://film.one/person/philip-kaufman.md) - **Average Fi1m score:** 83, as actor, over 8 titles - **Fi1m score by decade:** 1950s 84 (1), 1960s 86 (1), 1970s 89 (2), 1980s 80 (2), 2000s 84 (1), 2020s 72 (1) - **Fi1m against the critics:** 84 to 78 across 6 titles - **Score spread:** 6 at 80+, 2 at 60–79, 0 under 60 - **Lead roles:** 0 of 5 acting credits billed first or second - **Genres:** Horror 4, Drama 3, Comedy 2, Science Fiction 2, Thriller 2, Crime 1 - **Screen time:** 13 hours of reviewed films - **Box office:** $271m across 6 films with figures - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veronica_Cartwright, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q283872, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001021/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/5047 ## Streaming the US now - **Netflix:** [*Alien*](https://film.one/film/alien.md) (92) - **Apple TV:** [*Invasion of the Body Snatchers*](https://film.one/film/invasion-of-the-body-snatchers.md) (86) - **Peacock:** [*The Birds*](https://film.one/film/the-birds.md) (86) - **Tubi:** [*The Witches of Eastwick*](https://film.one/film/the-witches-of-eastwick.md) (73) For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country. ## Fi1m on Veronica Cartwright > Veronica Cartwright makes fear look like a sensible response to danger. We value the emotional honesty she brings to horror ensembles, and wish *Alien* had given her Lambert as much attention as it gives the suspense. In *Alien* (1979), Veronica Cartwright’s Lambert is frightened, and Cartwright does not soften that fear to make her more agreeable company. We were unnerved by her distress because she makes the danger feel like something happening to a person, rather than a cue for the next shock. Ridley Scott’s patient build-up gives that response time to register. The ship does much of the work of frightening us, but Lambert reminds us that somebody has to endure being inside it. We value her willingness to let panic look uncomfortable. Her move from child parts to adult supporting work was not a straight progression. The child performer of *The Children’s Hour* (1961) and *The Birds* (1963) had a quieter stretch before *Inserts* (1975) and *Goin’ South* (1978) brought adult film roles. Wider recognition came with *Invasion of the Body Snatchers* (1978) and *Alien*, both examples of the science-fiction ensembles in which she became a familiar presence. Her readiness to show anxiety was well suited to these groups facing extraordinary threats. Our reservation about Lambert is with how little O’Bannon’s script allows her beyond those reactions. Some viewers have found the character overly emotional; we think the more substantial problem is that she is so lightly written. Cartwright makes the fear convincing, but she cannot supply a fully developed character on her own. We would gladly trade some of the film’s repeated suspense for more time with her, particularly when her responses have already made the danger so persuasive. Philip Kaufman’s *The Right Stuff* (1983), in which she plays Betty Grissom, is the useful next stop beyond the horror roles. Her effectiveness in that supporting part makes a case for watching her in drama, too. The label of horror specialist is understandable, but it can encourage us to overlook what supporting actors do elsewhere. Start with *Alien*, then make time for *The Right Stuff* before deciding that terror is all she has to offer. ## Biography Veronica Cartwright is an English-born American actress. She was born on 20 April 1949 in Bristol, England, and moved to the United States as a child. As a child actress she appeared in *The Children's Hour* (1961) and *The Birds* (1963). She transitioned to adult roles with *Invasion of the Body Snatchers* (1978) and played Lambert in *Alien* (1979), for which she received a Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress. Other film credits include *The Right Stuff* (1983) and *The Witches of Eastwick* (1987). Cartwright has received three Primetime Emmy Award nominations for guest roles in *ER* and *The X-Files*. Her younger sister is actress Angela Cartwright. *Sources: en.wikipedia.org, avp.fandom.com, themoviedb.org.* ## On Fi1m (8) - *A Man on the Inside* (2024), Fi1m 72, as Beverly Banki — [page](https://film.one/tv/a-man-on-the-inside.md) - *In the Bedroom* (2001), Fi1m 84, as Minister on Television — [page](https://film.one/film/in-the-bedroom.md) - *The Witches of Eastwick* (1987), Fi1m 73, as Felicia Alden — [page](https://film.one/film/the-witches-of-eastwick.md) - *The Right Stuff* (1983), Fi1m 86, as Betty Grissom — [page](https://film.one/film/the-right-stuff.md) - *Alien* (1979), Fi1m 92, as Lambert — [page](https://film.one/film/alien.md) - *Invasion of the Body Snatchers* (1978), Fi1m 86, as Nancy Bellicec — [page](https://film.one/film/invasion-of-the-body-snatchers.md) - *The Birds* (1963), Fi1m 86, as Cathy Brenner — [page](https://film.one/film/the-birds.md) - *The Twilight Zone* (1959), Fi1m 84, as Anne Rogers — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-twilight-zone.md) ## Complete filmography (128) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *The Ruse* (2025), as Olivia - *A Kill for a Kill* (2025), as Janice - *A Man on the Inside* (2024), series, as Beverly Banki — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/tv/a-man-on-the-inside.md) - *Gotham Knights* (2023), series, as Eunice Harmon - *Breaking Fast* (2020), as Judy - *The Field* (2019), as Edith - *Limbo* (2019), as Louise - *Chilling Adventures of Sabrina* (2018), series, as Fortune Teller - *The Rookie* (2018), series, as Beatrice O'Malley - *The Resident* (2018), series, as Celeste Crisforth - *The Good Doctor* (2017), series, as Maxine Stanley - *Mommy I Didn't Do It* (2017), as Judge Tannin - *The Dark Below* (2016), Actor - *CSI: Cyber* (2015), series, as Renetta Wilkerson - *Bosch* (2015), series, as Irene Saxon - *The Town that Dreaded Sundown* (2014), as Lillian - *Resurrection* (2014), series, as Helen Edgerton - *Non-Stop* (2013), as Rose - *The Odd Way Home* (2013), as Francine - *Montana Amazon* (2013), as Margaret - *The Yellow Wallpaper* (2011), as Catherine Sayer - *Revenge* (2011), series, as Judge Elizabeth Blackwell - *InSight* (2011), as Patricia - *Neowolf* (2010), as Mrs. Belakov - *Eastwick* (2009), series, as Bun Waverly - *Eastwick* (2009), as Bun Waverly - *Drop Dead Diva* (2009), series, as Marian Porter - *Call of the Wild* (2009), as Sheriff Taylor - *The Face is Familiar* (2009), Actor - *The Invasion* (2007), as Wendy Lenk - *Mommy's House* (2007), as Mommy - *Criminal Minds* (2005), series, as Flora Martin — Fi1m 60, [page](https://film.one/tv/criminal-minds.md) - *Invasion* (2005), series, as Valerie Shenkman - *Supernatural* (2005), series, as Lily Sunder — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/tv/supernatural.md) - *The Closer* (2005), series, as Vera Mathers - *Grey's Anatomy* (2005), series, as Lydia Ashford — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/tv/greys-anatomy.md) - *Barry Dingle* (2005), as Eleanor Dingle - *Boston Legal* (2004), series, as Judge Peggy Zeder — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/tv/boston-legal.md) - *Kinsey* (2004), as Sara Kinsey - *Twisted* (2004), as Landlady - *Straight-Jacket* (2004), as Jerry Albrecht - *Nip/Tuck* (2003), series, as Mother Mary Claire — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/tv/nip-tuck.md) - *Just Married* (2003), as Mrs. 'Pussy' McNerney (uncredited) - *Without a Trace* (2002), series, as Mrs. Beckworth, Susan - *In the Bedroom* (2001), as Minister on Television — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/in-the-bedroom.md) - *Scary Movie 2* (2001), as Mother - *Inside The Osmonds* (2001), as Olive Osmond - *Critic's Choice* (2001), as Watkins - *CSI: Crime Scene Investigation* (2000), series, as Diane Chase - *Law & Order: Special Victims Unit* (1999), series, as Virginia Kennison - *Family Law* (1999), series, as Norma Benson - *Trash* (1999), as Principal Evans - *The Last Man on Planet Earth* (1999), as Director Elizabeth Riggs - *A Slipping Down Life* (1999), as Mrs. Casey - *Will & Grace* (1998), series, as Judith McFarland - *The Rat Pack* (1998), as Rocky Cooper - *Sparkler* (1997), as Dottie Delgato - *George & Leo* (1997), series, as Anna - *Money Talks* (1997), as Connie Cipriani - *Quicksilver Highway* (1997), as Myra - *The Lottery* (1996), as Maggie Dunbar - *7th Heaven* (1996), series, as Ms. Fitzhenry - *Boston Common* (1996), series, as Betty - *American Gothic* (1995), series, as Angela - *Sliders* (1995), series, as The Flame (voice) - *My Brother's Keeper* (1995), as Pat - *Candyman: Farewell to the Flesh* (1995), as Octavia Tarrant - *Dead Air* (1994), as The Caller - *On Hope* (1994), Actor - *Touched by an Angel* (1994), series, as Shirlee Gibbons - *ER* (1994), series, as Norma Houston — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/er.md) - *Chicago Hope* (1994), series, as Karen Flanders - *Mirror Mirror 2: Raven Dance* (1994), as Sister Aja - *The X-Files* (1993), series, as Cassandra Spender — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-x-files.md) - *Triumph Over Disaster: The Hurricane Andrew Story* (1993), as Carla Hulin - *It's Nothing Personal* (1993), as Barbara - *Lincoln and the War Within* (1992), Actor - *Man Trouble* (1992), as Helen Dextra - *Walking the Dog* (1992), Actor - *Dead in the Water* (1991), as Victoria Haines - *Hitler's Daughter* (1990), as Patricia Benedict - *False Identity* (1990), as Vera Errickson - *A Son's Promise* (1990), as Dorothy Donaldson - *Valentino Returns* (1989), as Patricia "Pat" Gibbs - *Baywatch: Panic at Malibu Pier* (1989), as Mrs. Harris (uncredited) - *Baywatch* (1989), series, as Mrs. Harris (uncredited) - *Desperate for Love* (1989), as Betty Petrie - *Tanner '88* (1988), series, as Molly Hark - *The Witches of Eastwick* (1987), as Felicia Alden — Fi1m 73, [page](https://film.one/film/the-witches-of-eastwick.md) - *Wisdom* (1986), as Samantha Wisdom - *Intimate Encounters* (1986), as Emily - *L.A. Law* (1986), series, as A.D.A. Margaret Flanagan - *Flight of the Navigator* (1986), as Helen Freeman - *My Man Adam* (1985), as Elaine Swit - *Robert Kennedy & His Times* (1985), series, as Ethel Skakel Kennedy - *Miami Vice* (1984), series, as Society Dame — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/tv/miami-vice.md) - *The Right Stuff* (1983), as Betty Grissom — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/film/the-right-stuff.md) - *Nightmares* (1983), as Claire Houston (segment "Night of the Rat") - *Prime Suspect* (1982), as Janice Staplin - *Joe Dancer: The Big Black Pill* (1981), as Sister Theresa - *Guyana Tragedy: The Story of Jim Jones* (1980), series, as Marceline "Marcy" Jones - *Alien* (1979), as Lambert — Fi1m 92, [page](https://film.one/film/alien.md) - *Invasion of the Body Snatchers* (1978), as Nancy Bellicec — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/film/invasion-of-the-body-snatchers.md) - *Goin' South* (1978), as Hermine - *The Kid from Not-So-Big* (1978), as Corrine - *Bernice Bobs Her Hair* (1976), as Marjorie - *Inserts* (1975), as Harlene - *Here We Go Again* (1973), series, as Nancy - *Flip Side* (1970), Actor - *Then Came Bronson* (1969), series, as Petey Traine - *The Name of the Game* (1968), series, as Nancy Robins - *Mannix* (1967), series, as Mrs. Goldberg (uncredited) - *Dragnet* (1967), series, as Melissa Stevens - *Daniel Boone* (1964), series, as Jemima Boone - *One Man's Way* (1964), as Mary - *Tell Me Not In Mournful Numbers* (1963), Actor - *Spencer's Mountain* (1963), as Becky Spencer (uncredited) - *The Birds* (1963), as Cathy Brenner — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/film/the-birds.md) - *The Children's Hour* (1961), as Rosalie Wells - *Route 66* (1960), series, as Miriam Moore (Age 9) - *My Three Sons* (1960), series, Actor - *The Twilight Zone* (1959), series, as Anne Rogers — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-twilight-zone.md) - *One Step Beyond* (1959), series, as Gillian - *In Love and War* (1958), as Allie O'Neill - *Leave It to Beaver* (1957), series, as Violet Rutherford - *Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre* (1956), series, as Sarah Butler - *Alfred Hitchcock Presents* (1955), series, as Judy Davidson, Viola Wellington (uncredited) - *The Vicar's Wife*, as Mrs. Hope Saville-Smythe ## Gallery - ![Tom Skerritt and Veronica Cartwright at the 2024 Chicago Comic and Entertainment Exposition (C2E2)](https://film.one/media/person/59540/gallery-ff437d0734d5.jpg) Tom Skerritt and Veronica Cartwright at the 2024 Chicago Comic and Entertainment Exposition (C2E2) — Chris Roth, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/10/Alien_C2E2_2024_19.jpg/1280px-Alien_C2E2_2024_19.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Veronica Cartwright at the 2024 Chicago Comic and Entertainment Exposition (C2E2)](https://film.one/media/person/59540/gallery-f2655418a725.jpg) Veronica Cartwright at the 2024 Chicago Comic and Entertainment Exposition (C2E2) — Chris Roth, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c1/Alien_C2E2_2024_3.jpg/1280px-Alien_C2E2_2024_3.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Veronica Cartwright at the 2024 Chicago Comic and Entertainment Exposition (C2E2)](https://film.one/media/person/59540/gallery-6111c1156e59.jpg) Veronica Cartwright at the 2024 Chicago Comic and Entertainment Exposition (C2E2) — Chris Roth, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e6/Alien_C2E2_2024_4.jpg/1280px-Alien_C2E2_2024_4.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Veronica Cartwright](https://film.one/media/person/59540/gallery-8ab3f57b20eb.jpg) Veronica Cartwright — Chris Roth, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/66/Alien_C2E2_2024_4_%28cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Veronica Cartwright](https://film.one/media/person/59540/gallery-e26556a2ff3a.jpg) Veronica Cartwright — Image via TMDB - ![Veronica Cartwright](https://film.one/media/person/59540/gallery-ebf9bf99dbc6.jpg) Veronica Cartwright — Image via TMDB - ![Veronica Cartwright](https://film.one/media/person/59540/gallery-c04dd47fed10.jpg) Veronica Cartwright — Image via TMDB - ![Shambala Benefit Performance of "The Birds" — the stage version, in Hollywood, California, May 2006. (L-R) Shambala supporter Don Norte, Veronica Cartwright, pl](https://film.one/media/person/59540/gallery-461976259ac4.jpg) Shambala Benefit Performance of "The Birds" — the stage version, in Hollywood, California, May 2006. (L-R) Shambala supporter Don Norte, Veronica Cartwright, pl — FosseTheCat at English Wikipedia, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/da/The_Birds_026.jpg/1280px-The_Birds_026.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Veronica Cartwright](https://film.one/media/person/59540/gallery-9f5f3330d3fe.jpg) Veronica Cartwright — Image via TMDB - ![Veronica Cartwright](https://film.one/media/person/59540/gallery-d58e087a5a7b.jpg) Veronica Cartwright — Image via TMDB - ![Veronica Cartwright](https://film.one/media/person/59540/gallery-4c0ec3622eb1.jpg) Veronica Cartwright — Image via TMDB ## Awards ### Other awards — 1 won - Saturn Awards 1979: Best Supporting 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/veronica-cartwright