Portrait of Jeannetta Arnette

Jeannetta Arnette

Acting

Biography

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).

Born: July 29, 1954

Place of Birth: Washington, District of Columbia, USA

Known For

Filmography

2018
Homecoming

as Woman with dogs

2018
Heathers

as Mrs. Kelly

2016
Hunter Gatherer

as Dr. Merton

2016
American Crime Story

as Delmer Lee Corbin

2014
2014
Extant

as Anya Sparks

2014
Angels in Stardust

as Jacqueline Windsor

2013
Straight A's

as (uncredited)

2012
Perception

as Stephanie Nordhoff

2011
Switched at Birth

as Ms. Troyer

2010
2010
Justified

as Marsha Keyhoe

2008
The Mentalist

as Sue Overton

2008
Fringe

as Dr. West

2008
Middle of Nowhere

as Mindy Green

2008
Pineapple Express

as Sandra Danby

2007
Snow Angels

as Louise Parkinson

2006
So NoTORIous

as Ruthie Rose

2005
Criminal Minds

as Sarah Jean Dawes

2004
Lost

as Lizzy Calloway

2004
Sniper 3

as Sydney

2003
Finding Home

as Grace

2003
Cold Case

as Chelsey Simpson (2009)

2003
Dunsmore

as Irma Pritcher

2003
2001
The Shipping News

as Silver Melville

2001
The Prime Gig

as Cheryl

2000
2000
The 70s

as Doris Shales

2000
Mystery Kids

as Alice Johnson

1999
Roswell

as Dolores Browning

1999
Boys Don't Cry

as Lana's Mom

1998
V.I.P.

as Dr. Lonnie Hippelman

1998
Judas Kiss

as Monica Grimes

1998
First Love, Last Rites

as Sissel's Mom

1996
Nash Bridges

as Ginny Peacock

1995
1994
Touched by an Angel

as Dr. Gus Jacobs

1994
ER

as Mrs. Hawkes

1993
1992
1992
Ladybugs

as Glynnis Mullen

1989
Single Women, Married Men

as Maureen Harrison

1986
Head of the Class

as Bernadette Meara

1986
L.A. Law

as Vicki Simonetti

1986
1984
City Killer

as Andrea's Neighbor

1983
The A-Team

as Betty / Sarah

1982
St. Elsewhere

as Louise Garrison

1982
The Shadow Riders

as Southern Belle

1981
Callie & Son

as Receptionist

1980
Brave New World

as Dwightina

1979
10

as Party Guest

1977