Acting · Carbondale, Illinois, USA · Born June 16, 1955
Laura Elizabeth Metcalf (born June 16, 1955) is an American actress and comedian. Often described as a character actor, she is known for her complex and versatile roles across the stage and screen. She has received various accolades throughout her career spanning over four decades, including two Tony Awards and four Primetime Emmy Awards, in addition to nominations for an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award, and three Golden Globe Awards. Metcalf began her career with the Steppenwolf Theatre Company and frequently works in Chicago theatre. She made her Broadway debut in the 1985 play My Thing of Love. She went on to receive six Tony Award nominations, winning Best Actress in a Play in 2017 for her performance in A Doll's House, Part 2 and Best Featured Actress in a Play for the 2018 revival of Edward Albee's Three Tall Women. Her other Tony-nominated roles were for November (2008), The Other Place (2010), Misery (2016), and Hillary and Clinton (2019). She gained national attention for her performance as Jackie Harris on the sitcom Roseanne (1988–1997, 2018) and its spinoff The Conners (2018–present), for which she won three Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. She also won a Primetime Emmy Award for her guest role in Hacks (2022), and her other Emmy-nominated roles include 3rd Rock from the Sun (1999), Monk (2006), Desperate Housewives (2007), The Big Bang Theory (2016), Getting On (2013–2015), and Horace and Pete (2016). She also appeared on The Norm Show (1999–2001), Frasier, and The Dropout (2022). In film, Metcalf is best known for her performance as Marion McPherson in Greta Gerwig's comedy-drama film Lady Bird (2017). She was nominated for an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, a SAG Award, and a BAFTA Award. From 1995, she has voiced Mrs. Davis, the mother of Andy, in the Toy Story franchise, and voiced Sarah Hawkins in the Disney animated Treasure Planet (2002). Other notable film credits include Desperately Seeking Susan (1985), Uncle Buck (1989), JFK (1991), Dear God (1996), Georgia Rule (2007) and Scream 2 (1997).
MovieEverybody Digs Bill Evans
2026
as Mary
TVBig Mistakes
2026
as Linda Dardano
MovieScream 7
2026
as Debbie Salt
MovieBruce Willis : les secrets d'une icône
2025
as Self
TVMonster: The Ed Gein Story
2025
as Augusta Gein
MovieJanis Ian: Breaking Silence
2025
as Self
TVElsbeth
2024
as Regina Coburn
TVCarol & the End of the World
2023
as HR Lady (voice)
MovieSomewhere in Queens
2023
as Angela Russo
TVThe Dropout
2022
as Phyllis Gardner
TVQ-Force
2021
as V (voice)
TVHacks
2021
as Weed
MovieBarbecue
2020
as Lillie Anne
TVThe Accidental Wolf
2020
as Cast
MovieToy Story 4
2019
as Andy's Mom (voice)
TVThe Conners
2018
as Jackie Harris
MovieLady Bird
2017
as Marion McPherson
MovieStarring Austin Pendleton
2016
as Self
TVHorace and Pete
2016
as Sarah
TVSupergirl
2015
as Mary McGowan
TVThe Late Show with Stephen Colbert
2015
as Self - Guest
TVVariety Studio: Actors on Actors
2014
as Self
TVThe McCarthys
2014
as Marjorie McCarthy
TVTim and Eric's Bedtime Stories
2014
as Gabrielle
TVPlaying House
2014
as Dr. Leslie Rollins
MovieLong Day's Journey Into Night
2014
as Mary Tyrone
TVGetting On
2013
as Jenna James
MovieStill Screaming: The Ultimate Scary Movie Retrospective
2011
as Self
MovieToy Story 3
2010
as Andy's Mom (voice)
TVWatch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen
2009
as Self - Guest
TVEasy Money
2008
MovieStop-Loss
2008
as Mrs. Colson
TVThe Big Bang Theory
2007
as Mary Cooper
MovieThe Pixar Story
2007
as Mrs. Davis (voice) (archive footage)
MovieGeorgia Rule
2007
as Paula Richards
MovieMeet the Robinsons
2007
as Lucille Krunklehorn (voice)
TVRaines
2007
MovieBeer League
2006
as Artie's Mom
MovieSteel City
2006
as Marianne Karn
MovieFun with Dick and Jane
2005
as Phyllis
TVGrey's Anatomy
2005
as Beatrice Carver
TVAmerican Dad!
2005
as Elizabeth Hadley (voice)
TVDesperate Housewives
2004
as Carolyn Bigsby
Charlie Lawrence
2003
as Sarah Dolecek
MovieTreasure Planet
2002
as Sarah (voice)
TVWithout a Trace
2002
as Susan Hopkins
TVMonk
2002
as Cora Little
TVGod, the Devil and Bob
2000
as Donna Alman (voice)
TVMalcolm in the Middle
2000
as Susan
MovieToy Story 2
1999
as Andy's Mom (voice)
MovieRunaway Bride
1999
as Betty Trout
MovieBalloon Farm
1999
as Casey Johnson
TVThe Norm Show
1999
as Laurie Freeman
MovieChicago Cab
1998
as Female Ad Exec
MovieBulworth
1998
as Mimi
MovieThe Long Island Incident
1998
as Carolyn McCarthy
MovieAlways Outnumbered
1998
as Halley Grimes
MovieScream 2
1997
as Debbie Salt
MovieU Turn
1997
as Bus Station Clerk
TVDharma & Greg
1997
as Spyder
TVKing of the Hill
1997
as Cissy Cobb (voice)
MovieThe Story Behind 'Toy Story'
1996
as Self
MovieDear God
1996
as Rebecca Frazen
TV3rd Rock from the Sun
1996
as Jennifer Ravelli
MovieToy Story
1995
as Mrs. Davis (voice)
MovieLeaving Las Vegas
1995
as Landlady
TVDuckman
1994
as Sophie (voice)
The Secret Life of Houses
1994
as Ann
MovieBlink
1993
as Candice
TVFrasier
1993
as Nanny G
MovieA Dangerous Woman
1993
as Anita
MovieTwo Mikes Don't Make a Wright
1993
as Emma
TVThe Jackie Thomas Show
1992
as Jackie Harris
MovieMistress
1992
as Rachel Landisman
MovieJFK
1991
as Susie Cox
Tom Arnold: The Naked Truth
1991
as Self
MoviePacific Heights
1990
as Stephanie MacDonald
MovieInternal Affairs
1990
as Amy Wallace
MovieUncle Buck
1989
as Marcie Dahlgren-Frost
TVRoseanne
1988
as Jackie Harris
MovieMiles from Home
1988
as Exotic Dancer
MovieThe Appointments of Dennis Jennings
1988
as Emma
MovieStars & Bars
1988
as Melissa
MovieCandy Mountain
1988
as Alice
MovieMaking Mr. Right
1987
as Sandy
MoviePrice Check
1987
MovieThe Execution of Raymond Graham
1985
as Carol Graham
TVThe Equalizer
1985
as Theresa
MovieDesperately Seeking Susan
1985
as Leslie Glass
MovieThe Visitor
1982
MovieA Wedding
1978
as Maid (uncredited)
TVSaturday Night Live
1975
as Weekend Update Reporter
TVTony Awards
1956
as Self - Nominee
TVThe Oscars
1953
as Self
Untitled Nathan Lane Documentary
as Self
