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Betty Thomas

Birth Name:
Betty Lucille Nienhauser
Birth Place:
St. Louis, Missouri, United States
Profession
Director, Actress, Producer
Betty Thomas

Fast Facts

  • 1998's "Dr․ Dolittle" would go on to be one of the highest grossing movies directed by a woman in the 1990s
  • After studying at Ohio University, she would become a high school teacher before joining The Second City in Chicago to pursue her acting career
  • Began experimenting in the director's chair starting in the late '80s and would eventually go on to win numerous accolades for her efforts, including an Emmy
  • Initially worked at The Second City in Chicago as a waitress to earn extra money, not intending to join as a performer
  • Upon moving to Los Angeles to join Second City's newest location, she would begin to land numerous small parts in film before landing her most well-known role to date, that of police officer Lucille Bates on NBC's "Hill Street Blues" in 1981
  • Good friends with Bill Murray, a fellow Second City alum

Awards

  • 1981Primetime Emmy - Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series:Nominated
  • 1982Primetime Emmy - Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series:Nominated
  • 1983Primetime Emmy - Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series:Nominated
  • 1984Primetime Emmy - Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series:Nominated
  • 1985Primetime Emmy - Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series:Winner
  • 1986Primetime Emmy - Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series:Nominated
  • 1986Q Award - Best Supporting Actress in a Quality Drama Series:Winner
  • 1987Primetime Emmy - Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series:Nominated
  • 1993CableACE - Directing a Comedy Series:Winner
  • 1993Primetime Emmy - Outstanding Individual Achievement in Directing in a Comedy Series:Winner
  • 1994CableACE - Directing a Comedy Series:Nominated
  • 1994DGA Award - Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Comedy Series:Nominated
  • 1994Primetime Emmy - Outstanding Individual Achievement in Directing for a Miniseries or a Special:Nominated
  • 1995CableACE - Directing a Comedy Series:Nominated
  • 1995DGA Award - Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Specials:Nominated
  • 1996Primetime Emmy - Outstanding Directing for a Miniseries or a Special:Nominated
  • 1997DGA Award - Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Specials:Winner
  • 1997Audience AwardWinner
  • 1997Crystal GlobeNominated
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