Criminal Minds Exclusive: American Graffiti's Candy Clark to Play JJ's Mom

Get ready to meet JJ's mom!
Oscar-nominated American Graffiti star Candy Clark has been cast as Sandy Jareau, the mother of JJ (A.J. Cook), on Criminal Minds, TVGuide.com has learned exclusively.
Clark will appear in the Season 7 finale, which will find JJ's family facing a lot of drama. The two-hour episode involves a hostage situation at a federal bank, during which one of the BAU members becomes a hostage. The episode will also be the last for Prentiss (Paget Brewster) and will feature Battlestar Galactica's Tricia Helfer. Oh, and there will be a wedding too. Could Sandy be there to watch JJ tie the knot with Will (Josh Stewart)?

CBS announces finale dates

Clark received a Best Supporting Actress Oscar nomination for her performance as Debbie Dunham in 1973's American Graffiti. She reprised the role six years later in the sequel More American Graffiti. Her other credits include The Man Who Fell to Earth, The Big Sleep, Blue Thunder, Zodiac and The Informant! She's also guest-starred on Magnum P.I., Matlock and St. Elsewhere. Criminal Minds' Season 7 finale airs Wednesday, May 16 at 9/8c on CBS.