Biography
Possibly best remembered for her breakout portrayal of a terrified suburban housewife in the supernatural horror film "Poltergeist" (1982), Williams played Diane Freeling with a conviction and authenticity that kept audiences on the edge of their seats. On the heels of that success was the ensemble drama "The Big Chill" (1983), in which Williams' character, unhappy with her current marriage, considers rekindling a relationship with her old …
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Career Milestones
| Joined Trinity Repertory Company in Providence, RI after graduating from college | ||
| Starred in TV series "John Grisham's 'The Client'" | ||
1974 | TV debut in "Theater in America" presentation of Trinity Square Repertory's production "Feasting With Panthers" | |
1975 | Had regular role of Carrie Wheeler on the NBC serial "Somerset" (NBC) | |
1977 | Played regular role of Brandy on "Guiding Light" (CBS) | |
1979 | Film acting debut in small role in "Kramer vs. Kramer" | |
1980 | Broadway debut as a replacement in "Moonchildren," co-starring Kevin Kline | |
1982 | Played leading role in the supernatural thriller "Poltergeist" | |
1983 | Acted in the controversial ABC drama "The Day After" | |
1983 | Co-starred in the ensemble drama "The Big Chill," featuring Kline and Tom Berenger | |
1983 | Played Reve Walsh, the mother of a child who was abducted, in the NBC drama "Adam"; earned Emmy nomination | |
1986 | Again played Reve Walsh in the sequel "Adam: His Song Continues" (NBC) | |
1986 | Reprised role in "Poltergeist II: The Other Side" | |
1987 | Co-starred in the TV-movie "Murder Ordained" (CBS) | |
1988 | Portrayed Mary Beth Whitehead in the fact-based drama "Baby M" (ABC); received second Emmy nomination | |
1988 | Reportedly turned down the lead role on the CBS sitcom "Murphy Brown," which Diane English created with her in mind | |
1989 | Co-starred in "My Name Is Bill W" (CBS) | |
1991 | Landed featured roles in "Switch" and "Dutch" | |
1994 | Made directorial debut with "On Hope"; earned 1994 Oscar nomination for Best Live Action Short Film | |
1994 | Portrayed Bessie Earp in "Wyatt Earp" | |
1995 | Garnered third Emmy nomination for a guest appearance on "Frasier" (NBC) | |
1997 | Directed by husband John Paquin in "Jungle2Jungle" | |
1998 | Portrayed astronaut wife Marge Slayton in "From the Earth to the Moon" (HBO) | |
1999 | Returned to series TV as co-star of "Payne" (CBS), a short-lived Americanization of "Fawlty Towers" starring John Larroquette | |
2000 | Co-starred in the ABC movie "Trapped in a Purple Haze" | |
2000 | Directed the Showtime movie "Frankie and Hazel" | |
2001 | Acted in "The Ponder Heart" (PBS) | |
2005 | Co-starred with Sean Patrick Flanery and Melina Kanakaredes in Michael Phelan's "Into the Fire" | |
2006 | Joined the cast of Fox's drama "24" in season five | |
2007 | Guest starred on four episodes of Showtime's serial-killer drama "Dexter" | |
2009 | Guest starred on several episodes of ABC's "Private Practice" | |
2011 | Cast in the comedy feature "The Big Year" opposite Owen Wilson, Jack Black, and Steve Martin | |
Awards
1984 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress In a Limited Series or a Special in Adam |
1988 | Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television in Baby M |
1988 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress In a Miniseries or Special in Baby M |
1994 | Academy Award for Short Film (Live Action) in On Hope |
1995 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress In a Comedy Series in Frasier |