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Laurie Metcalf

Acting

Born June 16, 1955 · Carbondale, Illinois, USA

Also known as Laura Elizabeth Metcalf · Laura Metcalf · Lauren Elizabeth Metcalf

Biography

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).

Awards & recognition

  • Tony AwardBest Featured Actress in a Play · 2018
  • Boston Society of Film Critics AwardBest Supporting Actress · 2017
  • Chicago Film Critics Association AwardBest Supporting Actress · 2017
  • Los Angeles Film Critics Association AwardBest Supporting Actress · 2017
  • National Board of Review AwardBest Supporting Actress · 2017
Show all 25 awards →
  • National Society of Film Critics AwardBest Supporting Actress · 2017
  • Online Film Critics Society AwardBest Supporting Actress · 2017
  • San Diego Film Critics Society AwardBest Supporting Actress · 2017
  • San Francisco Film Critics Circle AwardBest Supporting Actress · 2017
  • St. Louis Film Critics Association AwardBest Supporting Actress · 2017
  • Tony AwardBest Actress in a Play · 2017
  • Toronto Film Critics Association AwardBest Supporting Actress · 2017
  • Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association AwardBest Supporting Actress · 2017
  • Ovation Awards · 2015
  • Lucille Lortel AwardOutstanding Lead Actress · 2011
  • Ovation Awards · 2011
  • Ovation Awards · 2008
  • Primetime Emmy AwardOutstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series · 1994
  • Primetime Emmy AwardOutstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series · 1993
  • Primetime Emmy AwardOutstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series · 1992
  • Theatre World Award · 1985
  • Academy AwardBest Supporting Actress · 2018 · nominated
  • Tony AwardBest Actress in a Play · 2016 · nominated
  • Tony AwardBest Actress in a Play · 2013 · nominated
  • Tony AwardBest Featured Actress in a Play · 2008 · nominated

Filmography50+ titles

Malcolm in the Middle

2000as Susan

Toy Story 3

2010as Andy's Mom (voice)

Grey's Anatomy

2005as Beatrice Carver

Monk

2002as Cora Little

Toy Story

1995as Mrs. Davis (voice)

The Big Bang Theory

2007as Mary Cooper

Desperate Housewives

2004as Carolyn Bigsby

Frasier

1993as Nanny G

The Pixar Story

2007as Mrs. Davis (voice) (archive footage)

Treasure Planet

2002as Sarah (voice)

Toy Story 2

1999as Andy's Mom (voice)

JFK

1991as Susie Cox

Toy Story 4

2019as Andy's Mom (voice)

Raines

2007

3rd Rock from the Sun

1996as Jennifer Ravelli

Carol & the End of the World

2023as HR Lady (voice)

Hacks

2021as Weed

King of the Hill

1997as Cissy Cobb (voice)

Monster: The Ed Gein Story

2025as Augusta Gein

The Dropout

2022as Phyllis Gardner

Supergirl

2015as Mary McGowan

Without a Trace

2002as Susan Hopkins

Leaving Las Vegas

1995as Landlady

Lady Bird

2017as Marion McPherson

Tim and Eric's Bedtime Stories

2013as Gabrielle

The Norm Show

as Laurie Freeman

The Conners

2018as Jackie Harris

American Dad!

2005as Elizabeth Hadley (voice)

Big Mistakes

2026as Linda

Meet the Robinsons

2007as Lucille Krunklehorn (voice)

Saturday Night Live

1975as Self (uncredited)

Uncle Buck

1989as Marcie Dahlgren-Frost

Roseanne

1988as Jackie Harris

Elsbeth

2024as Regina Coburn

Q-Force

2021as V (voice)

U Turn

1997as Bus Station Clerk

Playing House

2014as Dr. Leslie Rollins

Scream 2

1997as Debbie Salt

Internal Affairs

1990as Amy Wallace

Somewhere in Queens

2022as Angela Russo

Getting On

2013as Jenna James

Bulworth

1998as Mimi

Pacific Heights

1990as Stephanie MacDonald

A Wedding

1978as Maid (uncredited)

Scream 7

2026as Debbie Salt

Fun with Dick and Jane

2005as Phyllis

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

2015as Self - Guest

Stop-Loss

2008as Mrs. Colson

Runaway Bride

1999as Betty Trout

Blink

1994as Candice