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Martha Plimpton

Martha Plimpton

Actor, also producer · Born November 16, 1970 (55) · New York City, New York, USA

Primetime Emmy winner · 1 other major award body

Martha Campbell Plimpton (born November 16, 1970) is an American singer, stage and screen actress, best known for playing the lead role of Virginia Chance on the television sitcom "Raising Hope", and for guest starring as Patti Nyholm in the CBS legal drama "The Good Wife".

Biography from TMDB.

Born
November 16, 1970 (55)
From
New York City, New York, USA
Works as
Actor, also producer
Titles
62 on MovieCove · 82 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 156 days to Oct 27Down 9% in 30 days

What are Martha Plimpton's films like?

Across their 34 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Self.

Genres

Drama9 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 58th percentile
: browse their Drama movies
Comedy5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 59th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Crime4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 66th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Crime movies
Adventure3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 55th percentile
: browse their Adventure movies
Animation3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 68th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Animation movies
Biography3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 59th percentile
: browse their Biography movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
29%
Self
21%
Morality
13%
Survival
11%
Power
11%
Society
9%
Ideas
5%
Family bonds14 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity9 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth6 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship4 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice4 titles, browse their movies with this themeGrief4 titles, browse their movies with this themeFreedom5 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love3 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 28 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 9 · Serious 6 · Dark 13

Grounded: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their grounded movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 20 · Stylized 5 · Heightened 3

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 5 · Charged 15 · Intense 8

Steady: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their steady movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 16 · Shifting 11 · Whiplash 1

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 16 · Some laughs 8 · Funny 4

Slow burn: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their slow burn movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 17 · Even-paced 11 · Relentless 0

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 10 · Engaged 14 · Full focus 4

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

A split, not a type: Easy watch 8 · Affecting 7 · Heavy 13

Open-ended: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their open-ended movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

A split, not a type: Resolved 15 · Open-ended 9 · Ambiguous 4

Roles they play

20 analyzed roles

Usually the Ally: 8 of 20 analyzed roles.

Ally
8 of 20
Hero
4 of 20
Mentor
3 of 20
Trickster
2 of 20
Shapeshifter
1 of 20
Threshold guardian
1 of 20
Shadow
1 of 20
Show the 20 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
18
Melancholic
16
Contemplative
14
Warm
10
Hopeful
9
Other
28

How their films linger

Thought-provoking12 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet12 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful12 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good10 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 4 with a twist

  • Happy7
  • Bittersweet17
  • Tragic3
  • Ambiguous7

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Martha Plimpton's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 39 of their 62 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (12).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Martha Plimpton's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

82 credits, 62 with a MovieCove page; 14 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • East of Eden(2026)

    Show 7 episodes · as Faye

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all shows

  • Task(2025)

    Show 7 episodes · as Kathleen McGinty

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all shows

  • Sovereign(2025)

    as Lesley Anne

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • Prime Target(2025)

    Show 8 episodes · as Jane Torres

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all shows

  • Sardinia (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    as Judith

  • The Regime(2024)

    Show as Judith Holt

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all shows

  • A Town Called Malice (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    Show 8 episodes · as Mint Ma Lord

  • Sprung(2022)

    Show 9 episodes · as Barb

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • The Man Who Fell to Earth(2022)

    Show 1 episode · as Intake Officer K. Faraday

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all shows

  • Mass(2021)

    as Gail

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • Genera+ion (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    Show 16 episodes · as Megan

  • Pitch Black Panacea (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    as Amy (voice)

  • Frozen II(2019)

    as Yelena (voice)

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • Flack (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    Show 1 episode · as Clara

  • The Shivering Truth(2018)

    Show 1 episode · as (voice)

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all shows

  • Honey Bee(2018)

    as Louise

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • Minecraft: Story Mode (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    Show 5 episodes · as Olivia (voice)

  • Hello Again (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    as Ruth

  • The Guest Book(2017)

    Show 1 episode · as Shelley

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all shows

  • Brockmire(2017)

    Show 4 episodes · as Shirley

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

  • Baroness Von Sketch Show(2016)

    Show 1 episode · as Margo

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all shows

  • The Real O'Neals(2016)

    Show 29 episodes · as Eileen O'Neal

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all shows

  • Younger(2015)

    Show 4 episodes · as Cheryl Sussman

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • The Blacklist(2013)

    Show 2 episodes · as Dr. Sharon Fulton

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all shows

  • Sparrows Dance(2012)

    Thanks

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • Company (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    as Sarah

  • Raising Hope(2010)

    Show 88 episodes · as Virginia Chance

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Small Town Murder Songs(2010)

    as Sam

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • Remember Me(2010)

    as Alyssa Craig's Mom (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • How to Make It in America(2010)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all shows

  • The Good Wife(2009)

    Show 6 episodes · as Patti Nyholm

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all shows

  • Fringe(2008)

    Show 1 episode · as Sheriff Ann Mathis

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Marvelous (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Gwen

  • Dante's Inferno(2007)

    as Celia / Lobbyist Singer / Lizzie Borden (voice)

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • Surface(2005)

    Show 2 episodes · as Mr. Big

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all shows

  • Grey's Anatomy(2005)

    Show 2 episodes · as Pam Michaelson

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • Medium(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as Rosemary Widdick

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all shows

  • Hair High(2004)

    Associate Producer · as Miss Crumbles (voice)

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • Karen Sisco (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Hack (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 1 episode · as Louise O'Connor

  • Law & Order: Criminal Intent(2001)

    Show 1 episode · as Jo Gage

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all shows

  • The Sleepy Time Gal(2001)

    as Rebecca

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • Law & Order: Special Victims Unit(1999)

    Show 1 episode · as Claire Rinato

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • 200 Cigarettes(1999)

    as Monica

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • Family Guy(1999)

    Show 1 episode · as Stephanie (voice)

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • The Defenders: Taking the First(1998)

    as MJ Preston

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • Pecker(1998)

    as Tina

    Midcredits score: 63rd percentile of all films

  • Music from Another Room(1998)

    as Karen Swan

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • The Defenders: Choice of Evils(1998)

    as Mary Jane Preston

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • Eye of God(1997)

    as Ainsley DuPree

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • The Defenders: Payback (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as M.J. Preston

  • Colin Fitz (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Ann

  • I'm Not Rappaport(1996)

    as Laurie Campbell

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • 7th Heaven(1996)

    Show 1 episode · as Venus

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all shows

  • I Shot Andy Warhol(1996)

    as Stevie

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • Beautiful Girls(1996)

    as Jan

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • Last Summer in the Hamptons(1995)

    as Chloe Garfield

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • The Beans of Egypt, Maine(1994)

    as Earlene Pomerleau

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all films

  • ER(1994)

    Show 4 episodes · as Meg Corwin

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle(1994)

    as Jane Grant

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • Josh and S.A.M.(1993)

    as Alison (The Liberty Maid)

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • The Perfect Woman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Actor

  • Chantilly Lace (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    as Ann

  • Daybreak(1993)

    as Laurie

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all films

  • Samantha (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    as Samantha

  • Inside Monkey Zetterland (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    as Sofie

  • A Blink of Paradise (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    as Mother

  • A Woman at War(1991)

    as Helene Moszkiewiez

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • Stanley & Iris(1990)

    as Kelly King

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

  • Parenthood(1989)

    as Julie Buckman-Lampkin Higgins

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • Silence Like Glass(1989)

    as Claudia Jacoby

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • Another Woman(1988)

    as Laura

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • Running on Empty(1988)

    as Lorna Phillips

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • Stars and Bars(1988)

    as Bryant

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • Shy People(1987)

    as Grace

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • The Mosquito Coast(1986)

    as Emily Spellgood

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • The Goonies(1985)

    as Stef

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • The River Rat(1984)

    as Jonsy

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • Family Ties(1982)

    Show 1 episode · as Jessie Blake

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all shows

  • American Playhouse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 1 episode · as Earlene Pomerleau

  • Rollover(1981)

    as Fewster's Older Daughter

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • The Custom of the Country (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

Career shape

Star power in the 99th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 81 titles, 80 of them dated from 1981 to 2026; peak year 2020.

Biggest box office

Frozen II (2019)

$1.5B worldwide

Highest rated

Running on Empty (1988)

Midcredits 95th

Most popular right now

Raising Hope (2010)

Film career

MilestoneAward winNomination
19812026

Peak 2020 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 7 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

Show 1 more milestone
  • 2021Independent Spirit Award win· Mass

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting80 of 81: 79 only acting, 1 with another role · typical Midcredits score66thProducing1 of 81: 0 only producing, 1 with another roleOther crew1 of 81: 1 only other crew, 0 with another role

By decade

1980s12 · acting1990s27 · acting2000s12 · 12 acting · 1 crew2010s18 · 17 acting · 1 crew2020s11 · acting

Billing

usually 6th · top billed in 4% of 25 roles
819101

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

Awards

a Primetime Emmy and 1 other major award from 5 major nominations, 1988–2022.

WinNomination
  1. 2022
    • Independent Spirit Award, won
  2. 2012
    • Primetime Emmy, won · Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series
  3. 2011
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated · Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
  4. 2002
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated · Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series
  5. 1988
    • Independent Spirit Award, nominated · Best Supporting Female

Major bodies only: the Oscars, Primetime Emmys, Golden Globes, BAFTAs and Screen Actors Guild Awards are named; Cannes, Venice, the Berlinale, Sundance, the directors', writers' and producers' guilds, the Grammys, Critics Choice and the Independent Spirit Awards count as other major bodies. Festival and regional prizes are not counted. Source: IMDb.

How do Martha Plimpton's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 60th percentile, the median of all 36; across their 28 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 61st percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

61stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 28

Approval · how many liked their films

59thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 28

Reach · how many have seen their films

67thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 28

Midcredits score across 62 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up24
  • 50th to 74th22
  • 25th to 49th8
  • Below 25th8

Shape of the crowd

33 of their 62 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved9
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser33
  • Mixed19

Most divisive · actor

Last Summer in the Hamptons (1995)

71st percentile spread · 25% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Running on Empty (1988)

Midcredits 95th · 84% liked

Reviewers score the acting 73/100 in their films, across 26 reviewed titles; fans 83, detractors 48. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Martha Plimpton's work okay for kids?

Across up to 14 MovieCove titles with content scores, profanity runs heavier than most films and violence & gore lighter.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore10 titles12–52 · median 31 · mildlighter than most filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity14 titles19–55 · median 40 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity10 titles29–77 · median 48 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs10 titles8–51 · median 31 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense9 titles22–66 · median 37 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Martha Plimpton work with?

People who share at least 2 of Martha Plimpton's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Lili Taylor shares the most, 3.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers