Acting · Washington, District of Columbia, USA · Born July 29, 1954
Jeannetta Arnette, born July 29, 1954, in Washington, D.C., is a prolific American actress with a career spanning television, film, and theater. Raised partly in North Carolina, she trained at the North Carolina School of the Arts, studied acting in England, and moved to Los Angeles after briefly attending George Washington University to pursue her craft professionally. She rose to prominence as the eccentric teacher Miss Meara on Head of the Class (1986-1991), with notable film roles including Lana's mother in Boys Don't Cry (1999), a nurse in Pay It Forward (2000), and Sandra Danby in Pineapple Express (2008). Arnette has made extensive TV guest appearances on series like Criminal Minds, ER, The Mentalist, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (as Doctor Karen Loews), and recent projects such as Clipped (2024) and American Crime Story (2021).
MovieWaking Up Dead
2022
TVHomecoming
2018
as Woman with dogs
TVHeathers
2018
as Mrs. Kelly
MovieHunter Gatherer
2016
as Dr. Merton
TVAmerican Crime Story
2016
as Delmer Lee Corbin
MovieBeautiful Girl
2014
as Mom
TVExtant
2014
as Anya Sparks
MovieAngels in Stardust
2014
as Jacqueline Windsor
The Amateur
2014
as Joey's Mom
MovieStraight A's
2013
as (uncredited)
TVPerception
2012
as Stephanie Nordhoff
TVSwitched at Birth
2011
as Ms. Troyer
MovieBeneath the Dark
2010
as Shirley
TVJustified
2010
as Marsha Keyhoe
TVThe Mentalist
2008
as Sue Overton
TVFringe
2008
as Dr. West
MovieMiddle of Nowhere
2008
as Mindy Green
MoviePineapple Express
2008
as Sandra Danby
MovieSnow Angels
2007
as Louise Parkinson
TVSo NoTORIous
2006
as Ruthie Rose
TVCriminal Minds
2005
as Sarah Jean Dawes
TVInvasion
2005
TVLost
2004
as Lizzy Calloway
MovieSniper 3
2004
as Sydney
MovieFinding Home
2003
as Grace
TVCold Case
2003
as Chelsey Simpson (2009)
MovieDunsmore
2003
as Irma Pritcher
MovieSmall Town Conspiracy
2003
as Donna Jo
MovieThe Shipping News
2001
as Silver Melville
MovieThe Prime Gig
2001
as Cheryl
MoviePay It Forward
2000
as Nurse
TVCSI: Crime Scene Investigation
2000
as Mrs. Spencer
MovieThe '70s
2000
as Doris Shales
MovieMystery Kids
2000
as Alice Johnson
TVRoswell
1999
as Dolores Browning
TVLaw & Order: Special Victims Unit
1999
as Sandra Knowles
MovieBoys Don't Cry
1999
as Lana's Mom
TVV.I.P.
1998
as Dr. Lonnie Hippelman
MovieJudas Kiss
1998
as Monica Grimes
MovieFirst Love, Last Rites
1998
as Sissel's Mom
MovieSomebody Is Waiting
1996
as Edna Rice
TVNash Bridges
1996
as Ginny Peacock
TVThe Drew Carey Show
1995
as Gloria
TVTouched by an Angel
1994
as Gus Jacobs
TVER
1994
as Mrs. Hawkes
TVDiagnosis: Murder
1993
as Lana
TVStar Trek: Deep Space Nine
1993
as Doctor Loews
TVThe Jackie Thomas Show
1992
as Sophie Ford
MovieLadybugs
1992
as Glynnis Mullen
MovieSingle Women, Married Men
1989
as Maureen Harrison
TVRoseanne
1988
MovieSister Margaret and the Saturday Night Ladies
1987
as Helene
TVHead of the Class
1986
as Bernadette Meara
TVL.A. Law
1986
as Vicki Simonetti
MovieThe Deliberate Stranger
1986
as Mrs. Richter
TVThe Deliberate Stranger
1986
as Mrs. Richter
MovieThe History of White People in America: Volume II
1986
as Actress
MovieCity Killer
1984
as Andrea's Neighbor
MovieFlight 90: Disaster on the Potomac
1984
as Nicki Felch
TVThe A-Team
1983
as Betty / Sarah
TVSt. Elsewhere
1982
as Louise Garrison
MovieTake Your Best Shot
1982
as Fran
MovieThe Shadow Riders
1982
as Southern Belle
TVHill Street Blues
1981
MovieCallie & Son
1981
as Receptionist
MovieBrave New World
1980
as Dwightina
Movie10
1979
as Party Guest
MovieThe Redeemer: Son of Satan!
1978
as Cindy
MovieTeenage Graffiti
1977
as Annie
TVThree's Company
1977
TVLaverne & Shirley
1976
