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Bess Armstrong

Bess Armstrong

Actor · Born December 11, 1953 (72) · Baltimore, Maryland, USA

Bess Armstrong (born December 11, 1953) is an American film and television actress.

Biography from TMDB.

Born
December 11, 1953 (72)
From
Baltimore, Maryland, USA
Works as
Actor
Titles
50 on MovieCove · 71 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 63 days to Oct 26Down 41% in 30 days

What are Bess Armstrong's films like?

Across their 24 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Self.

Genres

Comedy11 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 33rd percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Drama4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 37th percentile
: browse their Drama movies
Adventure2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 23rd percentile
: browse their Adventure movies
Romance2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 62nd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Romance 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
35%
Self
30%
Morality
18%
Society
6%
Survival
5%
Ideas
3%
Power
2%
Romantic love7 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds6 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity6 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth4 titles, browse their movies with this themeComing of age4 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship3 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception3 titles, browse their movies with this themeAmbition5 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 20 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 13 · Serious 6 · Dark 1

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

Grounded 14 · Stylized 5 · Heightened 1

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

Gentle 9 · Charged 9 · Intense 2

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

Steady 11 · Shifting 7 · Whiplash 2

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

Straight-faced 6 · Some laughs 8 · Funny 6

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 7 · Even-paced 12 · Relentless 1

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

Casual 16 · Engaged 2 · Full focus 2

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 16 · Open-ended 2 · Ambiguous 2

Roles they play

14 analyzed roles

Usually the Ally: 4 of 14 analyzed roles.

Ally
4 of 14
Mentor
4 of 14
Hero
3 of 14
Herald
1 of 14
Shadow
1 of 14
Shapeshifter
1 of 14
Show the 14 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
9
Joyful
8
Warm
8
Hopeful
7
Absurd
5
Other
26

How their films linger

Feel-good16 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful10 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteWistful3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 1 with a twist

  • Happy12
  • Bittersweet7
  • Ambiguous4
  • Cyclical1

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 Bess Armstrong's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 35 of their 50 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Hulu (13).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Bess Armstrong'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

71 credits, 50 with a MovieCove page; 1 appearance as themselves is hidden until asked for.

  • The Irrational(2023)

    Show 1 episode · as Renee Franklin

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all shows

  • I Love That for You(2022)

    Show 5 episodes · as Marcy Gold

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all shows

  • Love and Sunshine(2019)

    as Margo Terry

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • S.W.A.T.(2017)

    Show 3 episodes · as Mayor Barrett

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all shows

  • The Good Doctor(2017)

    Show 4 episodes · as Eileen Lim

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • Conviction(2016)

    Show 3 episodes · as Harper Morrison

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all shows

  • Diagnosis Delicious(2016)

    as Lynn Cosworth

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all films

  • Bad Internet (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    Show 1 episode · as Gabby

  • Damien (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    Show 1 episode · as Mrs. Thorn

  • Zoo(2015)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Elizabeth Oz · as Elizabeth

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all shows

  • Bosch(2014)

    Show 10 episodes · as Donna Sobel

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • I Married Who?(2012)

    as Elaine

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • Longmire(2012)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • Scandal(2012)

    Show 1 episode · as Senator Diane Greenwald

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all shows

  • House of Lies(2012)

    Show 10 episodes · as Julianne Hotschragar

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all shows

  • Switched at Birth(2011)

    Show 5 episodes · as Professor Marillo

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all shows

  • Castle(2009)

    Show 1 episode · as Paula Casillas

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • True Blood(2008)

    Show 1 episode · as Nancy Mills

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all shows

  • Corporate Affairs(2008)

    as Emily Parker

    Midcredits score: 2nd percentile of all films

  • Mad Men(2007)

    Show 1 episode · as Catherine Orcutt

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • Criminal Minds(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as Sheila Hawkes

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all shows

  • Grey's Anatomy(2005)

    Show 4 episodes · as Maureen Lincoln

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • Boston Legal(2004)

    Show 2 episodes · as Penelope Kimball

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • NCIS(2003)

    Show 1 episode · as Denise O'Hara

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • One Tree Hill(2003)

    Show 5 episodes · as Lydia James

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all shows

  • That Was Then (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 2 episodes · as Mickey Glass

  • Good Morning, Miami (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 1 episode · as Louise Messinger

  • Her Best Friend's Husband(2002)

    as Mandy Roberts

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • Diamond Men (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Katie Harnish

  • CSI: Crime Scene Investigation(2000)

    Show 1 episode · as Patricia Lydecker

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows

  • Forever Love(1998)

    as Gail

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • Pecker(1998)

    as Dr. Klompus

    Midcredits score: 63rd percentile of all films

  • That Darn Cat(1997)

    as Judy Randall

    Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all films

  • Christmas Every Day (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    as Molly Jackson

  • She Cried No(1996)

    as Denise Connell

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • The Perfect Daughter (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    as Jill Michaelson

  • Forgotten Sins(1996)

    as Roberta 'Bobbie' Bradshaw

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • Mixed Blessings (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Pilar Graham Coleman

  • Stolen Innocence (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Becky Sapp

  • She Stood Alone: The Tailhook Scandal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Barbara Pope

  • The Lies Boys Tell (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    as Connie

  • Touched by an Angel(1994)

    Show 1 episode · as Mary Gibson

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all shows

  • My So-Called Life(1994)

    Show 19 episodes · as Patty Chase

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • Dream Lover(1994)

    as Elaine

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • Serial Mom(1994)

    as Eugene Sutphin's Nurse (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • The Nanny(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Sara Sheffield · as Sara Sheffield (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all shows

  • Frasier(1993)

    Show 2 episodes · as Kelly Kirkland

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • The Skateboard Kid (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    as Maggie

  • Batman: The Animated Series(1992)

    Show 1 episode · as Clio (voice)

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all shows

  • Married People (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Show 18 episodes · Actor

  • Second Sight(1989)

    as Sister Elizabeth

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films

  • Tales from the Crypt(1989)

    Show 1 episode · as Erma

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all shows

  • Mother, Mother (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as Kate Watson

  • Nothing in Common(1986)

    as Donna Mildred Martin

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all films

  • All Is Forgiven (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Show 9 episodes · as Paula Russell

  • 11th Victim (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    as Jill Kelso

  • Lace (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Show 2 episodes · as Judy Hale

  • The House of God(1981)

    as Cissy Anderson

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • Jaws 3-D(1983)

    as Dr. Kathryn Morgan

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • The Making of Jaws 3-D: Sharks Don't Die (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Actor

  • High Road to China(1983)

    as Eve 'Evie' Tozer

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • This Girl for Hire(1983)

    as B' T' Brady

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films

  • Jekyll and Hyde... Together Again(1982)

    as Mary Carew

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Barefoot In the Park (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    as Corrie Bratter

  • The Four Seasons(1981)

    as Ginny Newley (Callan)

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • Walking Through the Fire (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    as Laurel Lee

  • $weepstake$ (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • How to Pick Up Girls!(1978)

    as Sally Claybrook

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • Getting Married(1978)

    as Kristine Lawrence

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • On Our Own(1977)

    Show 22 episodes · as Julia Peters

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all shows (provisional, few ratings)

  • The Love Boat(1977)

    Show 1 episode · as Laura Stanton

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all shows

Career shape

Star power in the 96th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 71 titles from 1977 to 2023; peak year 1982.

Biggest box office

Jaws 3-D (1983)

$88M worldwide

Highest rated

My So-Called Life (1994)

Midcredits 93rd

Film career

MilestoneBreakout
19772023

Peak 1982 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 3 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.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting71 of 71: 71 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score64th

By decade

1970s6 · acting1980s15 · acting1990s20 · acting2000s14 · acting2010s14 · acting2020s2 · acting

Billing

usually 3rd · top billed in 0% of 15 roles
8191

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.

How do Bess Armstrong's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 41st percentile, the median of all 22; across their 20 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 33rd percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

33rdpercentile
Typical film, the median of 20

Approval · how many liked their films

37thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 20

Reach · how many have seen their films

54thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 20

Midcredits score across 50 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up20
  • 50th to 74th10
  • 25th to 49th10
  • Below 25th10

Shape of the crowd

20 of their 50 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved10
  • Universally Panned2
  • Cult Classic3
  • Crowd Pleaser20
  • Broadly Agreed1
  • Mixed14

Most divisive · actor

On Our Own (1977)

79th percentile spread · 28% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Bosch (2014)

Midcredits 98th · 94% liked

Reviewers score the acting 58/100 in their films, across 19 reviewed titles; fans 73, detractors 37. 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 Bess Armstrong's work okay for kids?

Across up to 6 MovieCove titles with content scores, profanity runs heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore3 titlesmedian 47 · moderateMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity6 titles28–59 · median 40 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity5 titles41–56 · median 50 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs4 titlesmedian 35 · moderateMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense3 titlesmedian 58 · moderateMedian 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 Bess Armstrong work with?

People who share at least 2 of Bess Armstrong's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; George Coe shares the most, 2.

Actors

Cinematographers and editors

Producers