Jeannetta Arnette
Biography
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).
Known For
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
The Mentalist
Criminal Minds
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
Lost
The A-Team
ER
Fringe
All Movies (37)
- Waking Up Dead2022
- Hunter Gatherer2016 · as Dr. Merton
- Beautiful Girl2014 · as Mom
- Angels in Stardust2014 · as Jacqueline Windsor
- The Amateur2014 · as Joey's Mom
- Straight A's2013 · as (uncredited)
- Beneath the Dark2010 · as Shirley
- Middle of Nowhere2008 · as Mindy Green
- Pineapple Express2008 · as Sandra Danby
- Snow Angels2007 · as Louise Parkinson
- Sniper 32004 · as Sydney
- Finding Home2003 · as Grace
- Dunsmore2003 · as Irma Pritcher
- Small Town Conspiracy2003 · as Donna Jo
- The Shipping News2001 · as Silver Melville
- The Prime Gig2001 · as Cheryl
- Pay It Forward2000 · as Nurse
- The '70s2000 · as Doris Shales
- Mystery Kids2000 · as Alice Johnson
- Boys Don't Cry1999 · as Lana's Mom
- Judas Kiss1998 · as Monica Grimes
- First Love, Last Rites1998 · as Sissel's Mom
- Somebody Is Waiting1996 · as Edna Rice
- Ladybugs1992 · as Glynnis Mullen
- Single Women, Married Men1989 · as Maureen Harrison
- Sister Margaret and the Saturday Night Ladies1987 · as Helene
- The Deliberate Stranger1986 · as Mrs. Richter
- The History of White People in America: Volume II1986 · as Actress
- City Killer1984 · as Andrea's Neighbor
- Flight 90: Disaster on the Potomac1984 · as Nicki Felch
- Take Your Best Shot1982 · as Fran
- The Shadow Riders1982 · as Southern Belle
- Callie & Son1981 · as Receptionist
- Brave New World1980 · as Dwightina
- 101979 · as Party Guest
- The Redeemer: Son of Satan!1978 · as Cindy
- Teenage Graffiti1977 · as Annie
All TV Shows (34)
- Homecoming2018 · as Woman with dogs
- Heathers2018 · as Mrs. Kelly
- American Crime Story2016 · as Delmer Lee Corbin
- Extant2014 · as Anya Sparks
- Perception2012 · as Stephanie Nordhoff
- Switched at Birth2011 · as Ms. Troyer
- Justified2010 · as Marsha Keyhoe
- The Mentalist2008 · as Sue Overton
- Fringe2008 · as Dr. West
- So NoTORIous2006 · as Ruthie Rose
- Criminal Minds2005 · as Sarah Jean Dawes
- Invasion2005
- Lost2004 · as Lizzy Calloway
- Cold Case2003 · as Chelsey Simpson (2009)
- CSI: Crime Scene Investigation2000 · as Mrs. Spencer
- Roswell1999 · as Dolores Browning
- Law & Order: Special Victims Unit1999 · as Sandra Knowles
- V.I.P.1998 · as Dr. Lonnie Hippelman
- Nash Bridges1996 · as Ginny Peacock
- The Drew Carey Show1995 · as Gloria
- Touched by an Angel1994 · as Gus Jacobs
- ER1994 · as Mrs. Hawkes
- Diagnosis: Murder1993 · as Lana
- Star Trek: Deep Space Nine1993 · as Doctor Loews
- The Jackie Thomas Show1992 · as Sophie Ford
- Roseanne1988
- Head of the Class1986 · as Bernadette Meara
- L.A. Law1986 · as Vicki Simonetti
- The Deliberate Stranger1986 · as Mrs. Richter
- The A-Team1983 · as Betty / Sarah
- St. Elsewhere1982 · as Louise Garrison
- Hill Street Blues1981
- Three's Company1977
- Laverne & Shirley1976