Margaret JoBeth Williams (born December 6, 1948) is an Academy Award, Golden Globe, and Emmy nominated American film and television actress and director, and current President of the Screen Actors Guild Foundation. Williams rose to prominence appearing in such films as Stir Crazy (1980), Poltergeist (1982), The Big Chill (1983), The Day After (1983), Teachers (1984), and Poltergeist II: The Other Side (1986). A three-time Emmy Award nominee, she was nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie for her work in the TV movie Adam (1983) and the TV miniseries Baby M (1988). Her third nomination was for her guest role in the sitcom Frasier (1994). Her directorial debut with the 1994 short film On Hope earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Live Action Short Film. She also starred in the TV series The Client (1995–96), and had recurring roles in the TV series Dexter (2007) and Private Practice (2009–11). In 2009 she began serving as president of the Screen Actors Guild Foundation; she is President Emeritus of the foundation. She has also had numerous guest starring roles on TV and has starred in several TV movies.
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Not Without Hope 2025Marcia -
Cash for Gold 2024Boots -
Chantilly Bridge 2023Natalie -
What the Night Can Do 2020Bettye Sue Dryer -
SGT. Will Gardner 2019Sherry -
A Million Little Things 2018Lana Strobe ·2 eps -
Alex & the List 2018Mrs. Stern -
Station 19 2018Reggie ·2 eps -
The Good Doctor 2017Ruth ·1 ep -
Barracuda 2017Patricia -
Within 2016Rosemary Fletcher -
The Last Film Festival 2016Mayor -
Heartbeat 2016Isobel Dixon ·1 ep -
In My Dreams 2015Charlotte Smith -
Your Family or Mine 2015Ricky ·10 eps -
Marry Me 2014Myrna ·2 eps -
Extant 2014Leigh Kern ·2 eps -
Perception 2012Margaret Pierce ·2 eps -
Scandal 2012Sandra Harding ·1 ep -
Love's Christmas Journey 2011Beatrice -
The Big Year 2011Edith -
Hart of Dixie 2011Candice Hart ·7 eps -
Against the Wall 2011Emily ·1 ep -
Law & Order: LA 2010Mrs. Walker ·1 ep -
Rizzoli & Isles 2010Tilly Dunn ·1 ep -
Uncorked 2009Sophia Browning -
TiMER 2009Marion -
Childrens Hospital 2008Linda ·1 ep -
Private Practice 2007Bizzy Forbes ·6 eps -
Sybil 2007Hattie Dorsett -
In the Land of Women 2007Agnes Webb - Twenty Good Years 2006Kate ·1 ep
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The Nine 20061 ep -
Dexter 2006Gail Brandon ·4 eps -
14 Hours 2005Jeanette Makins -
Crazylove 2005Mrs. Mayer -
Into the Fire 2005June Sickles -
Criminal Minds 2005Professor Ursula Kent ·1 ep -
Fever Pitch 2005Maureen Meeks -
Numb3rs 2005Margaret Eppes ·1 ep -
Miss Match 2003Lianne Fox ·3 eps -
NCIS 2003Leona Phelps ·1 ep -
Las Vegas 2003Liz ·1 ep -
The Curse of Poltergeist 2002 -
The Rose Technique 2002Dr. Lillian Rose -
Repossessed 2002 -
24 2001Miriam Henderson ·1 ep -
The Ponder Heart 2001Edna Earle Ponder -
The Guardian 2001Sarah ·1 ep -
Strong Medicine 2000Margie ·1 ep -
Trapped in a Purple Haze 2000Sophie Hanson -
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit 1999Mrs. Rawley ·1 ep -
Judging Amy 1999Gemma Lawnsdale ·1 ep -
Jackie's Back! 1999Jo Face (Jackie's Vocal Coach) -
It Came from the Sky 1999Alice Bridges -
Payne 1999Constance Payne ·9 eps -
Justice 1999Jane Newhart -
A Chance of Snow 1998Madeline 'Maddie' Parker -
From the Earth to the Moon 1998Marge Slayton ·1 ep -
When Danger Follows You Home 1997Anne Werden -
Jungle 2 Jungle 1997Dr. Patricia Cromwell -
Just Write 1997Sidney Stone -
After the SIlence 1996Pam Willis (as Jobeth Williams) -
E! True Hollywood Story 19962 eps -
Ruby Jean and Joe 1996Rose -
The Client 1995Reggie Love ·21 eps -
A Season of Hope 1995Elizabeth Hackett -
Voices from Within 1994Nancy Parkhurst -
Parallel Lives 1994Winnie Winslow -
Wyatt Earp 1994Bessie Earp -
Final Appeal 1993Christine Biondi -
Frasier 1993Madeline Marshall ·2 eps -
Frasier 1993Danielle (voice) ·1 ep -
Chantilly Lace 1993Natalie - Sex, Love and Cold Hard Cash 1993Sarah Gallagher
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Commercial Entertainment Product 1992Diane Freeling -
Jonathan: The Boy Nobody Wanted 1992Ginny Moore -
Batman: The Animated Series 1992May and June (voice) ·1 ep -
Me, Myself and I 1992Crazy / Sane Diane -
Fish Police 19926 eps -
Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot 1992Lt. Gwen Harper -
Dutch 1991Natalie Standish -
Switch 1991Margo Brofman -
Victim of Love 1991Tess Harper -
Timeless Tales: The Elves and the Shoemaker 1990Bettina (voice) -
Child in the Night 1990Dr. Hollis -
Welcome Home 1989Sarah -
My Name Is Bill W. 1989Lois Wilson -
Memories of Me 1988Lisa -
Baby M 1988Marybeth Whitehead ·2 eps -
Murder Ordained 1987Lorna Anderson -
Murder Ordained 1987Lorna Anderson ·2 eps -
Adam: His Song Continues 1986Reve Walsh -
Poltergeist II: The Other Side 1986Diane Freeling -
Desert Bloom 1986Lily Chismore -
Kids Don't Tell 1985Claudia Ryan -
American Dreamer 1984Cathy Palmer -
Teachers 1984Lisa Hammond -
The Day After 1983Nurse Nancy Bauer -
Adam 1983Reve Walsh -
The Big Chill 1983Karen Bowens -
Endangered Species 1982Harriet Purdue -
Poltergeist 1982Diane Freeling -
Joe Dancer: The Big Black Pill 1981Tiffany Farinpour -
The Dogs of War 1980Jessie -
Stir Crazy 1980Meredith -
Fun and Games 1980Laura Weston -
Kramer vs. Kramer 1979Phyllis Bernard -
The White Shadow 1978Paula Harris ·1 ep -
The World Beyond 1978Marian Faber -
Feasting with Panthers 1974Constance Wilde -
Hallmark Hall of Fame 1951Lois Wilson ·1 ep