Acting
Jeannetta Arnette
Born 1954-07-29
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).
Acting
Waking Up Dead
2022
Hunter Gatherer
2016 · Dr. Merton
Beautiful Girl
2014 · Mom
Angels in Stardust
2014 · Jacqueline Windsor
The Amateur
2014 · Joey's Mom
Straight A's
2013 · (uncredited)
Beneath the Dark
2010 · Shirley
Middle of Nowhere
2008 · Mindy Green
Pineapple Express
2008 · Sandra Danby
Snow Angels
2007 · Louise Parkinson
Sniper 3
2004 · Sydney
Finding Home
2003 · Grace
Dunsmore
2003 · Irma Pritcher
Small Town Conspiracy
2003 · Donna Jo
The Shipping News
2001 · Silver Melville
The Prime Gig
2001 · Cheryl
Pay It Forward
2000 · Nurse
The '70s
2000 · Doris Shales
Mystery Kids
2000 · Alice Johnson
Boys Don't Cry
1999 · Lana's Mom
Judas Kiss
1998 · Monica Grimes
First Love, Last Rites
1998 · Sissel's Mom
Somebody Is Waiting
1996 · Edna Rice
Ladybugs
1992 · Glynnis Mullen
Single Women, Married Men
1989 · Maureen Harrison
Sister Margaret and the Saturday Night Ladies
1987 · Helene
The Deliberate Stranger
1986 · Mrs. Richter
The History of White People in America: Volume II
1986 · Actress
City Killer
1984 · Andrea's Neighbor
Flight 90: Disaster on the Potomac
1984 · Nicki Felch
Take Your Best Shot
1982 · Fran
The Shadow Riders
1982 · Southern Belle