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Jeannetta Arnette

Jeannetta Arnette

Actor · Born July 29, 1954 (72) · Washington, District of Columbia, USA

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).

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
July 29, 1954 (72)
From
Washington, District of Columbia, USA
Works as
Actor
Titles
55 on Motif · 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 65 days to Oct 28

What are Jeannetta Arnette's films like?

Across their 19 Motif titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Self and Morality.

Genres

Drama8 titlesTypical Motif score: 40th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Comedy5 titlesTypical Motif score: 26th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies

Their Motif films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Motif 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
Self
34%
Morality
25%
Bonds
18%
Survival
11%
Power
7%
Society
4%
Purpose3 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth4 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love4 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception3 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds3 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice2 titles, browse their movies with this themeAmbition2 titles, browse their movies with this themeGuilt2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 18 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Grounded: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their grounded movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 15 · Stylized 3 · Heightened 0

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

Gentle 5 · Charged 7 · Intense 6

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

Steady 11 · Shifting 6 · Whiplash 1

Straight-faced: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their straight-faced movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 13 · Some laughs 4 · Funny 1

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

Slow burn 11 · Even-paced 7 · 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 9 · Engaged 9 · Full focus 0

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

Easy watch 2 · Affecting 11 · Heavy 5

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

A split, not a type: Resolved 8 · Open-ended 6 · Ambiguous 4

Roles they play

2 analyzed roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
9
Melancholic
10
Contemplative
7
Warm
6
Dread
4
Other
12

How their films linger

Thought-provoking9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 3 with a twist

  • Happy4
  • Bittersweet7
  • Tragic3
  • Ambiguous5

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 Jeannetta Arnette's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 33 of their 55 Motif titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Hulu (12).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Jeannetta Arnette's titles on Motif; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Motif 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, 55 with a Motif page.

  • Waking Up Dead(2022)

    Actor

    Motif score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • Homecoming(2018)

    Show 1 episode · as Woman with dogs

    Motif score: 66th percentile of all shows

  • Heathers(2018)

    Show 1 episode · as Mrs. Kelly

    Motif score: 11th percentile of all shows

  • Hunter Gatherer(2016)

    as Dr. Merton

    Motif score: 61st percentile of all films

  • American Crime Story(2016)

    Show 2 episodes · as Delmer Lee Corbin

    Motif score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • Beautiful Girl(2014)

    as Mom

    Motif score: 19th percentile of all films

  • Extant(2014)

    Show 6 episodes · as Anya Sparks

    Motif score: 28th percentile of all shows

  • Angels in Stardust (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2014)

    as Jacqueline Windsor

  • The Amateur(2014)

    as Joey's Mom

    Motif score: 43rd percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Straight A's(2013)

    as (uncredited)

    Motif score: 29th percentile of all films

  • Perception(2012)

    Show 1 episode · as Stephanie Nordhoff

    Motif score: 74th percentile of all shows

  • Switched at Birth(2011)

    Show 1 episode · as Ms. Troyer

    Motif score: 81st percentile of all shows

  • Beneath the Dark(2010)

    as Shirley

    Motif score: 21st percentile of all films

  • Justified(2010)

    Show 2 episodes · as Marsha Keyhoe

    Motif score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • The Mentalist(2008)

    Show 1 episode · as Sue Overton

    Motif score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Fringe(2008)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. West

    Motif score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Middle of Nowhere(2008)

    as Mindy Green

    Motif score: 56th percentile of all films

  • Pineapple Express(2008)

    as Sandra Danby

    Motif score: 76th percentile of all films

  • Snow Angels(2007)

    as Louise Parkinson

    Motif score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • So NoTORIous (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2006)

    Show 5 episodes · as Ruthie Rose

  • Criminal Minds(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as Sarah Jean Dawes

    Motif score: 86th percentile of all shows

  • Invasion(2005)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Motif score: 71st percentile of all shows

  • Lost(2004)

    Show 1 episode · as Lizzy Calloway

    Motif score: 92nd percentile of all shows

  • Sniper 3(2004)

    as Sydney

    Motif score: 20th percentile of all films

  • Finding Home (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2003)

    as Grace

  • Cold Case (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 1 episode · as Chelsey Simpson (2009)

  • Dunsmore(2003)

    as Irma Pritcher

    Motif score: 44th percentile of all films

  • Small Town Conspiracy (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2003)

    as Donna Jo

  • The Shipping News(2001)

    as Silver Melville

    Motif score: 65th percentile of all films

  • The Prime Gig(2000)

    as Cheryl

    Motif score: 46th percentile of all films

  • Pay It Forward(2000)

    as Nurse

    Motif score: 80th percentile of all films

  • CSI: Crime Scene Investigation(2000)

    Show 1 episode · as Mrs. Spencer

    Motif score: 80th percentile of all shows

  • The '70s (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2000)

    as Doris Shales

  • Finding Kelly(2000)

    as Alice Johnson

    Motif score: 21st percentile of all films

  • Roswell(1999)

    Show 1 episode · as Dolores Browning

    Motif score: 76th percentile of all shows

  • Law & Order: Special Victims Unit(1999)

    Show 1 episode · as Sandra Knowles

    Motif score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Boys Don't Cry(1999)

    as Lana's Mom

    Motif score: 94th percentile of all films

  • V.I.P. (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Lonnie Hippelman

  • Judas Kiss(1998)

    as Monica Grimes

    Motif score: 50th percentile of all films

  • First Love, Last Rites(1997)

    as Sissel's Mom

    Motif score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Somebody Is Waiting(1996)

    as Edna Rice

    Motif score: 49th percentile of all films

  • Nash Bridges(1996)

    Show 1 episode · as Ginny Peacock

    Motif score: 41st percentile of all shows

  • The Drew Carey Show(1995)

    Show 1 episode · as Gloria

    Motif score: 41st percentile of all shows

  • Touched by an Angel(1994)

    Show 1 episode · as Gus Jacobs

    Motif score: 28th percentile of all shows

  • ER(1994)

    Show 1 episode · as Mrs. Hawkes

    Motif score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Diagnosis Murder(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Lana

    Motif score: 48th percentile of all shows

  • Star Trek: Deep Space Nine(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Doctor Loews

    Motif score: 90th percentile of all shows

  • The Jackie Thomas Show (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1992)

    Show 1 episode · as Sophie Ford

  • Ladybugs(1992)

    as Glynnis Mullen

    Motif score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Single Women Married Men(1989)

    as Maureen Harrison

    Motif score: 26th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Roseanne(1988)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Motif score: 48th percentile of all shows

  • Sister Margaret and the Saturday Night Ladies (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1987)

    as Helene

  • Head of the Class(1986)

    Show 114 episodes · as Bernadette Meara

    Motif score: 29th percentile of all shows

  • L.A. Law(1986)

    Show 1 episode · as Vicki Simonetti

    Motif score: 56th percentile of all shows

  • The Deliberate Stranger (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1986)

    as Mrs. Richter

  • The Deliberate Stranger (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1986)

    Show 2 episodes · as Mrs. Richter

  • The History of White People in America: Volume II (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1986)

    as Actress

  • City Killer(1984)

    as Andrea's Neighbor

    Motif score: 21st percentile of all films

  • Flight 90: Disaster on the Potomac(1984)

    as Nicki Felch

    Motif score: 36th percentile of all films

  • The A-Team(1983)

    Show 1 episode · as Betty / Sarah

    Motif score: 74th percentile of all shows

  • St. Elsewhere (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 1 episode · as Louise Garrison

  • Take Your Best Shot(1982)

    as Fran

    Motif score: 26th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • The Shadow Riders(1982)

    as Southern Belle

    Motif score: 70th percentile of all films

  • Hill Street Blues(1981)

    Show 3 episodes · Actor

    Motif score: 92nd percentile of all shows

  • Callie & Son(1981)

    as Receptionist

    Motif score: 25th percentile of all films

  • Brave New World(1980)

    as Dwightina

    Motif score: 61st percentile of all films

  • 10(1979)

    as Party Guest

    Motif score: 47th percentile of all films

  • The Redeemer: Son of Satan! (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1978)

    as Cindy

  • Teenage Graffiti (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1977)

    as Annie

  • Three's Company(1976)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Motif score: 75th percentile of all shows

  • Laverne & Shirley (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1976)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

Career shape

Star power in the 94th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 71 titles from 1976 to 2022; peak year 2000.

Biggest box office

Ladybugs (1992)

$15M worldwide

Highest rated

Boys Don't Cry (1999)

Motif 94th

Most popular right now

Head of the Class (1986)

Film career

19762022

Peak 2000 · steadily prominent in film for years. 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.

  • 1978Screen debut· The Redeemer: Son of Satan!
  • 1999Career best· Boys Don't Cry

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting71 of 71: 71 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Motif score56th

By decade

1970s5 · acting1980s17 · acting1990s15 · acting2000s20 · acting2010s13 · acting2020s1 · acting

Billing

usually 9th · top billed in 0% of 15 roles
789803

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 Motif score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on Motif, 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 Jeannetta Arnette's films land?

Their typical Motif film has a Motif score in the 44th percentile, the median of all 28; across their 18 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 31st percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

31stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 18

Approval · how many liked their films

34thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 18

Reach · how many have seen their films

46thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 18

Motif score across 55 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up17
  • 50th to 74th12
  • 25th to 49th20
  • Below 25th6

Shape of the crowd

22 of their 55 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved10
  • Divisive4
  • Cult Classic2
  • Crowd Pleaser22
  • Broadly Agreed3
  • Mixed14

Most divisive · actor

The Amateur (2014)

97th percentile spread · 42% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Boys Don't Cry (1999)

Motif 94th · 82% liked

Reviewers score the acting 70/100 in their films, across 14 reviewed titles; fans 79, detractors 47. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on Motif; 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 Motif score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their Motif 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 Jeannetta Arnette's work okay for kids?

Across a limited sample of up to 4 Motif titles with content scores.

Their medianMedian of all films
Sex & Nudity4 titlesmedian 29 · mildMedian of all films: 32

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted.

Who does Jeannetta Arnette work with?

People who share at least 2 of Jeannetta Arnette's Motif titles, grouped by what they did on them; Robert Michael Lewis shares the most, 2.

Directors

Actors

Composers and cinematographers