An appealing actress who has made her biggest impression on the small screen, this stage-trained player often essays fiercely protective matriarchs. While starring on
Guiding Light, Williams made an unforgettable film debut in the buff in the 1979 drama
Kramer vs. Kramer. Other movies followed, notably
Poltergeist, which launched her string of strong mommy roles. But as the '80s wore on, she focused mainly on the tube, appearing in myriad series and TV-movies, usually as a mama, a professional woman or both, and earned multiple Emmy nods in the process. She also branched out into directing and earned an Oscar nod for her 1994 short film
On Hope. In the '00s well into her fifties and the mother of two, Williams continued her prolific output, with a host of guest spots on popular shows such as
Law & Order: SVU,
Las Vegas and
24.
JoBeth Williams Fast Facts:- Joined Actor's Equity at age 18.
- After graduating from college, she joined Trinity Repertory Company in Providence, RI.
- Early TV work included stints on the soaps Guiding Light and Somerset.
- Murphy Brown creator Diane English reportedly created the series for Williams, although she declined the role.
- Husband John Pasquin directed her in the 1997 comedy Jungle2Jungle and the short-lived series Payne.
- JoBeth Williams Relationships:
- Frances Faye Williams - Mother
- John Pasquin - Husband
- Nick Pasquin - Son
- Roger Williams - Father
- Sarah Pasquin - Stepdaughter
- Will Pasquin - Son
- JoBeth Williams Awards:
- 1989 Golden Globe: Best Performance by an Actress in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television - Nominee
- 1995 Emmy: Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series - Nominee
- 1994 Oscar: Best Short Film, Live Action - Nominee
- 1988 Emmy: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or Special - Nominee
- 1984 Emmy: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or a Special - Nominee
- College:
- Brown University, Providence, RI (BA, 1970)
