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Jeannetta Arnette

Acting · Born July 29, 1954 · 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).

Movies with Jeannetta Arnette

• Pineapple Express (2008) — Sandra Danby
• Boys Don't Cry (1999) — Lana's Mom
• Pay It Forward (2000) — Nurse
• Sniper 3 (2004) — Sydney
• 10 (1979) — Party Guest
• The Shipping News (2001) — Silver Melville
• Judas Kiss (1998) — Monica Grimes
• Ladybugs (1992) — Glynnis Mullen
• Straight A's (2013) — (uncredited)
• Beautiful Girl (2014) — Mom
• The Shadow Riders (1982) — Southern Belle
• First Love, Last Rites (1998) — Sissel's Mom

TV shows with Jeannetta Arnette

• Extant (2014) — Anya Sparks
• Head of the Class (1986) — Bernadette Meara
• So NoTORIous (2006) — Ruthie Rose