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.
76 movies · 41 shows
She Was Here
2026·0.0
Not Without Hope
2025·6.5
SEGAL
2025·0.0
Cash for Gold
2024·8.6
Chantilly Bridge
2023·5.1
What the Night Can Do
2020·4.5
SGT. Will Gardner
2019·4.7
Alex & the List
2018·5.5
Barracuda
2017·6.2
Within
2016·5.5
The Last Film Festival
2016·3.2
In My Dreams
2015·6.4
Love's Christmas Journey
2011·6.8
The Big Year
2011·6.0
Uncorked
2009·5.7
TiMER
2009·6.3
Sybil
2007·6.6
In the Land of Women
2007·5.9
14 Hours
2005·4.8
Crazylove
2005·5.2
Into the Fire
2005·5.0
Fever Pitch
2005·6.2
The Curse of Poltergeist
2002·0.0
Searching for Debra Winger
2002·6.4
The Rose Technique
2002·3.3
Repossessed
2002·8.7
The Ponder Heart
2001·5.7
Trapped in a Purple Haze
2000·4.9
Jackie's Back!
1999·6.9
It Came from the Sky
1999·5.1
The Big Chill: A Reunion
1999·6.3
Justice
1999·4.8
A Chance of Snow
1998·5.9
When Danger Follows You Home
1997·5.5
Jungle 2 Jungle
1997·5.4
Just Write
1997·5.6
After the SIlence
1996·7.2
Ruby Jean and Joe
1996·7.7
A Season of Hope
1995·3.5
Voices from Within
1994·9.0
Parallel Lives
1994·5.7
Wyatt Earp
1994·6.8
Final Appeal
1993·6.0
Chantilly Lace
1993·9.0
Sex, Love and Cold Hard Cash
1993·7.5
Commercial Entertainment Product
1992·8.7
Jonathan: The Boy Nobody Wanted
1992·0.0
Me, Myself and I
1992·6.3
Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot
1992·5.3
Dutch
1991·6.5
Switch
1991·5.9
Victim of Love
1991·4.3
Timeless Tales: The Elves and the Shoemaker
1990·0.0
Child in the Night
1990·5.6
Welcome Home
1989·6.6
My Name Is Bill W.
1989·6.5
Memories of Me
1988·5.4
Murder Ordained
1987·5.0
Adam: His Song Continues
1986·7.6
Poltergeist II: The Other Side
1986·6.0
Desert Bloom
1986·5.8
Kids Don't Tell
1985·10.0
American Dreamer
1984·6.3
Teachers
1984·5.7
The Day After
1983·6.8
Adam
1983·7.3
The Big Chill
1983·6.8
Endangered Species
1982·4.9
Poltergeist
1982·7.2
Joe Dancer: The Big Black Pill
1981·6.8
The Dogs of War
1980·5.8
Stir Crazy
1980·6.5
Fun and Games
1980·7.0
Kramer vs. Kramer
1979·7.6
The World Beyond
1978·6.6
Feasting with Panthers
1974·0.0