JoBeth Williams

JoBeth Williams Profile Photo

Characters played by JoBeth Williams

Diane Freeling — Poltergeist (1982)

Suburban mother battling spirits to rescue her abducted daughter.

Lt. Gwen Harper — Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot (1992)

Gwen is Joe's superior officer and romantic partner. She initially ends their relationship after believing Joe is calling another woman, but Tutti later comforts her and helps explain Joe's emotions. Gwen reconciles with Joe after his apology and advice from Tutti, and the couple is newly engaged by the end.

Bessie Earp — Wyatt Earp (1994)

Sister-in-law or relative of the Earp family.

Nurse Nancy Bauer — The Day After (1983)

Nurse Nancy Bauer works with Dr. Russell Oakes at the overwhelmed hospital after the nuclear attack. As patients continue arriving and medical supplies run out, she becomes emotionally close to Oakes while helping sustain treatment under catastrophic conditions. She later dies of meningitis, deepening Oakes's personal grief amid the wider collapse.

Marcia — Not Without Hope (2025)

Marcia is Nick's mother. Before the trip, she leaves him a warning about the weather forecast, and later she searches for information as the men remain missing. During the Coast Guard's weather-related pause, she confronts Timothy for an answer and says she believes Nick is still alive.

Edith — The Big Year (2011)

Stu's wife, an architect with whom he plans to retire to Colorado. She fully supports his lifelong-dream Big Year, and in the film's final scene she smiles beside Stu as he reflects on the life they share.

Diane Freeling — Poltergeist II: The Other Side (1986)

Clairvoyant mother with unique spirit world connections, fiercely protective of her family.

Karen Bowens — The Big Chill (1983)

Karen is an unfulfilled writer married to Richard, a conservative advertising executive. She tells Sam that she loves him and wants to leave her marriage, then reacts angrily when he resists before returning to reconcile and sleep with him. Despite this affair, she ultimately packs to return home to Richard.

Dr. Patricia Cromwell — Jungle 2 Jungle (1997)

Patricia is Michael's first wife, who left him years earlier and now lives with a semi-Westernized tribe in Venezuela. She reveals that she unknowingly had Michael's son, Mimi-Siku, and later appears to resume her relationship with Michael when he returns.

Margo Brofman — Switch (1991)

Margo is one of Steve Brooks's former lovers and part of the group that invites him to a surprise party before attempting to drown him. When Steve attacks, she shoots him in the chest. Later, she plants the gun in Amanda's sofa, framing Amanda for Steve's murder and helping cause her arrest.

Charlotte Smith — In My Dreams (2015)

Charlotte is Nick's mother and persistently worries that he has not moved on from his cheating ex. She repeatedly arranges dates for him, including a reunion with Lori Beth, and attends her wedding anniversary celebration. After hearing about the fountain legend, she encourages Nick to take a leap of faith.

Meredith — Stir Crazy (1980)

Len Garber's cousin and law partner. She initially visits the prisoners, later works undercover at a strip club to identify the real bank robbers, and ultimately proves the protagonists' innocence.

Career Overview

JoBeth Williams has 103 screen credits in a career dating back to 1962. Their work spans 6 cinematic universes — most prominently Chantilly Collection with 2 titles. Signature works include Poltergeist, Kramer vs. Kramer, Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot. Explore the interactive character relationship maps on each title page to trace how their roles connect across franchises.

Personal Facts

Known For
Acting
Gender
female
Known Credits
103
Birth Date
1948-12-06
Birth Place
Houston, Texas, USA

Known For

Associated Universes

Universe traveler — spans 6 universes

Frequent Collaborators

Credits

Content sources

Related entry on Wikidata (Q237809), public domain (CC0).