Acting
Jeannetta Arnette
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).
Filmography
Waking Up Dead
Film · 2022
Homecoming
Series · 2018
Heathers
Series · 2018
Hunter Gatherer
Film · 2016
American Crime Story
Series · 2016
Angels in Stardust
Film · 2014
Beautiful Girl
Film · 2014
The Amateur
Film · 2014
Extant
Series · 2014
Straight A's
Film · 2013
Perception
Series · 2012
Switched at Birth
Series · 2011
Beneath the Dark
Film · 2010
Justified
Series · 2010
Pineapple Express
Film · 2008
Middle of Nowhere
Film · 2008
The Mentalist
Series · 2008
Fringe
Series · 2008
Snow Angels
Film · 2007
So NoTORIous
Series · 2006
Invasion
Series · 2005
Criminal Minds
Series · 2005
Sniper 3
Film · 2004
Lost
Series · 2004
Small Town Conspiracy
Film · 2003
Finding Home
Film · 2003
Dunsmore
Film · 2003
Cold Case
Series · 2003
The Shipping News
Film · 2001
The Prime Gig
Film · 2001
Pay It Forward
Film · 2000
The '70s
Film · 2000
Mystery Kids
Film · 2000
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
Series · 2000
Boys Don't Cry
Film · 1999
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Series · 1999
Roswell
Series · 1999
First Love, Last Rites
Film · 1998
Judas Kiss
Film · 1998
V.I.P.
Series · 1998
Somebody Is Waiting
Film · 1996
Nash Bridges
Series · 1996
The Drew Carey Show
Series · 1995
Touched by an Angel
Series · 1994
ER
Series · 1994
Diagnosis: Murder
Series · 1993
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Series · 1993
Ladybugs
Film · 1992
The Jackie Thomas Show
Series · 1992
Single Women, Married Men
Film · 1989
Roseanne
Series · 1988
Sister Margaret and the Saturday Night Ladies
Film · 1987
The Deliberate Stranger
Film · 1986
The History of White People in America: Volume II
Film · 1986
L.A. Law
Series · 1986
Head of the Class
Series · 1986
The Deliberate Stranger
Series · 1986
Flight 90: Disaster on the Potomac
Film · 1984
City Killer
Film · 1984
The A-Team
Series · 1983
Take Your Best Shot
Film · 1982
The Shadow Riders
Film · 1982
St. Elsewhere
Series · 1982
Callie & Son
Film · 1981
Hill Street Blues
Series · 1981
Brave New World
Film · 1980
10
Film · 1979
The Redeemer: Son of Satan!
Film · 1978
Teenage Graffiti
Film · 1977
Three's Company
Series · 1977
Laverne & Shirley
Series · 1976