Personal Info
Known For:
Acting
Birthday:
July 29, 1954
Place of Birth:
Washington, District of Columbia, USA
Social Media
Jeannetta Arnette
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).
Known For
Filmography
| Year | Movie | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Waking Up Dead | |
| 2016 | Hunter Gatherer | Dr. Merton |
| 2014 | Angels in Stardust | Jacqueline Windsor |
| 2014 | Beautiful Girl | Mom |
| 2014 | The Amateur | Joey's Mom |
| 2013 | Straight A's | (uncredited) |
| 2010 | Beneath the Dark | Shirley |
| 2008 | Pineapple Express | Sandra Danby |
| 2008 | Middle of Nowhere | Mindy Green |
| 2007 | Snow Angels | Louise Parkinson |
| 2004 | Sniper 3 | Sydney |
| 2003 | Small Town Conspiracy | Donna Jo |
| 2003 | Finding Home | Grace |
| 2003 | Dunsmore | Irma Pritcher |
| 2001 | The Shipping News | Silver Melville |
| 2001 | The Prime Gig | Cheryl |
| 2000 | Pay It Forward | Nurse |
| 2000 | The 70s | Doris Shales |
| 2000 | Mystery Kids | Alice Johnson |
| 1999 | Boys Don't Cry | Lana's Mom |
| 1998 | First Love, Last Rites | Sissel's Mom |
| 1998 | Judas Kiss | Monica Grimes |
| 1992 | Ladybugs | Glynnis Mullen |
| 1989 | Single Women, Married Men | Maureen Harrison |
| 1987 | Sister Margaret and the Saturday Night Ladies | Helene |
| 1986 | The Deliberate Stranger | Mrs. Richter |
| 1986 | The History of White People in America: Volume II | Actress |
| 1984 | Flight 90: Disaster on the Potomac | Nicki Felch |
| 1984 | City Killer | Andrea's Neighbor |
| 1982 | Take Your Best Shot | Fran |
| 1982 | The Shadow Riders | Southern Belle |
| 1981 | Callie & Son | Receptionist |
| 1980 | Brave New World | Dwightina |
| 1979 | 10 | Party Guest |
| 1978 | The Redeemer: Son of Satan! | Cindy |
| 1977 | Teenage Graffiti | Annie |
| Year | TV Show | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Homecoming | Woman with dogs |
| 2018 | Heathers | Mrs. Kelly |
| 2016 | American Crime Story | Delmer Lee Corbin |
| 2014 | Extant | Anya Sparks |
| 2012 | Perception | Stephanie Nordhoff |
| 2011 | Switched at Birth | Ms. Troyer |
| 2010 | Justified | Marsha Keyhoe |
| 2008 | The Mentalist | Sue Overton |
| 2008 | Fringe | Dr. West |
| 2006 | So NoTORIous | Ruthie Rose |
| 2005 | Invasion | |
| 2005 | Criminal Minds | Sarah Jean Dawes |
| 2004 | Lost | Lizzy Calloway |
| 2003 | Cold Case | Chelsey Simpson (2009) |
| 2000 | CSI: Crime Scene Investigation | Mrs. Spencer |
| 1999 | Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | Sandra Knowles |
| 1999 | Roswell | Dolores Browning |
| 1998 | V.I.P. | Dr. Lonnie Hippelman |
| 1996 | Nash Bridges | Ginny Peacock |
| 1995 | The Drew Carey Show | Gloria |
| 1994 | Touched by an Angel | Dr. Gus Jacobs |
| 1994 | ER | Mrs. Hawkes |
| 1993 | Diagnosis: Murder | Lana |
| 1993 | Star Trek: Deep Space Nine | Doctor Loews |
| 1992 | The Jackie Thomas Show | Sophie Ford |
| 1988 | Roseanne | |
| 1986 | L.A. Law | Vicki Simonetti |
| 1986 | Head of the Class | Bernadette Meara |
| 1983 | The A-Team | Betty / Sarah |
| 1982 | St. Elsewhere | Louise Garrison |
| 1981 | Hill Street Blues | |
| 1977 | Three's Company | |
| 1976 | Laverne & Shirley |