Laura Elizabeth Metcalf (born June 16, 1955) is an American actress and comedian. Often described as a character actor, she is known for her complex and versatile roles across the stage and screen. She has received various accolades throughout her career spanning over four decades, including two Tony Awards and four Primetime Emmy Awards, in addition to nominations for an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award, and three Golden Globe Awards.
Metcalf began her career with the Steppenwolf Theatre Company and frequently works in Chicago theatre. She made her Broadway debut in the 1985 play My Thing of Love. She went on to receive six Tony Award nominations, winning Best Actress in a Play in 2017 for her performance in A Doll's House, Part 2 and Best Featured Actress in a Play for the 2018 revival of Edward Albee's Three Tall Women. Her other Tony-nominated roles were for November (2008), The Other Place (2010), Misery (2016), and Hillary and Clinton (2019).
She gained national attention for her performance as Jackie Harris on the sitcom Roseanne (1988–1997, 2018) and its spinoff The Conners (2018–present), for which she won three Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. She also won a Primetime Emmy Award for her guest role in Hacks (2022), and her other Emmy-nominated roles include 3rd Rock from the Sun (1999), Monk (2006), Desperate Housewives (2007), The Big Bang Theory (2016), Getting On (2013–2015), and Horace and Pete (2016). She also appeared on The Norm Show (1999–2001), Frasier, and The Dropout (2022).
In film, Metcalf is best known for her performance as Marion McPherson in Greta Gerwig's comedy-drama film Lady Bird (2017). She was nominated for an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, a SAG Award, and a BAFTA Award. From 1995, she has voiced Mrs. Davis, the mother of Andy, in the Toy Story franchise, and voiced Sarah Hawkins in the Disney animated Treasure Planet (2002). Other notable film credits include Desperately Seeking Susan (1985), Uncle Buck (1989), JFK (1991), Dear God (1996), Georgia Rule (2007) and Scream 2 (1997).
2024
as Regina Coburn
2023
as HR Lady (voice)
2023
as Angela Russo
2022
as Phyllis Gardner
2021
as V (voice)
2021
as Alice
2020
as Lillie Anne
2020
as Cast
2019
as Andy's Mom (voice)
2018
as Jackie Harris
2017
as Marion McPherson
2016
as Self
2016
as Sarah
2015
as Mary McGowan
2014
as Marjorie McCarthy
2014
as Gabrielle
2014
as Dr. Leslie Rollins
2014
as Mary Tyrone
2013
as Jenna James
2011
as Self
2010
as Andy's Mom (voice)
2008
2008
as Mrs. Colson
2007
as Mary Cooper
2007
as Mrs. Davis (voice) (archive footage)
2007
as Paula Richards
2007
as Lucille Krunklehorn (voice)
2007
2006
as Artie's Mom
2006
as Marianne Karn
2005
as Phyllis
2005
as Beatrice Carver
2005
as Elizabeth Hadley (voice)
2004
as Carolyn Bigsby
2003
as Sarah Dolecek
2002
as Sarah Hawkins (voice)
2002
as Susan Hopkins
2002
as Cora Little
2000
as Donna Alman (voice)
2000
as Susan
1999
as Andy's Mom (voice)
1999
as Betty Trout
1999
as Casey Johnson
1999
as Laurie Freeman
1998
as Female Ad Exec
1998
as Mimi
1998
as Carolyn McCarthy
1998
as Halley Grimes
1997
as Debbie Salt
1997
as Bus Station Clerk
1997
as Spyder
1997
as Cissy Cobb (voice)
1996
as Self
1996
as Rebecca Frazen
1996
as Jennifer Ravelli
1995
as Mrs. Davis (voice)
1995
as Landlady
1994
as Ann
1993
as Candice
1993
as Nanny G
1993
as Anita
1993
as Emma
1992
as Jackie Harris
1992
as Rachel Landisman
1991
as Susie Cox
1991
as Self
1990
as Stephanie MacDonald
1990
as Amy Wallace
1989
as Marcie Dahlgren-Frost
1988
as Jackie Harris
1988
as Exotic Dancer
1988
as Emma
1988
as Melissa
1988
as Alice
1987
as Sandy
1985
as Carol Graham
1985
as Theresa
1985
as Leslie Glass
1982
1978
as Maid (uncredited)
1956
as Self - Nominee
1953
as Self
as Mary