
Acting
Born December 6, 1948 · Houston, Texas, USA
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.

She Was Here
2026

Not Without Hope
2025

SEGAL
2025

Cash for Gold
2024

Chantilly Bridge
2023

What the Night Can Do
2020

SGT. Will Gardner
2019

Alex & the List
2018

Barracuda
2017

Within
2016

The Last Film Festival
2016

In My Dreams
2015

Love's Christmas Journey
2011

The Big Year
2011

Uncorked
2009

TiMER
2009

Sybil
2007

In the Land of Women
2007

14 Hours
2005

Crazylove
2005

Into the Fire
2005

Fever Pitch
2005

The Curse of Poltergeist
2002

Searching for Debra Winger
2002

The Rose Technique
2002

Repossessed
2002

The Ponder Heart
2001

Trapped in a Purple Haze
2000

Jackie's Back!
1999

It Came from the Sky
1999

The Big Chill: A Reunion
1999

Justice
1999

A Chance of Snow
1998

When Danger Follows You Home
1997

Jungle 2 Jungle
1997

Just Write
1997

After the SIlence
1996

Ruby Jean and Joe
1996

A Season of Hope
1995

Voices from Within
1994

Parallel Lives
1994

Wyatt Earp
1994

Final Appeal
1993

Chantilly Lace
1993
Sex, Love and Cold Hard Cash
1993

Commercial Entertainment Product
1992

Jonathan: The Boy Nobody Wanted
1992

Me, Myself and I
1992

Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot
1992

Dutch
1991

Switch
1991

Victim of Love
1991

Timeless Tales: The Elves and the Shoemaker
1990

Child in the Night
1990

Welcome Home
1989

My Name Is Bill W.
1989

Memories of Me
1988

Murder Ordained
1987

Adam: His Song Continues
1986

Poltergeist II: The Other Side
1986

Desert Bloom
1986

Kids Don't Tell
1985

American Dreamer
1984

Teachers
1984

The Day After
1983

Adam
1983

The Big Chill
1983

Endangered Species
1982

Poltergeist
1982

Joe Dancer: The Big Black Pill
1981

The Dogs of War
1980

Stir Crazy
1980

Fun and Games
1980

Kramer vs. Kramer
1979

The World Beyond
1978

Feasting with Panthers
1974