Overview

Margaret JoBeth Williams (born December 6, 1948) is an American actress and director. She was born in Houston, Texas, to Frances Faye (Adams), a dietitian, and Fredric Roger Williams, a wire/cable company manager and opera singer. She developed an interest in performing while in high school, thanks to her father’s encouragement. Williams made her professional debut at age 18 in a Houston-based musical production and later studied at Brown University. She gained prominence for her roles in films like ‘Kramer vs. Kramer’ (1979), ‘Stir Crazy’ (1980), ‘Poltergeist’ (1982), ‘The Big Chill’ (1983), and ‘The Day After’ (1983). She has received Emmy Award nominations for her work in television movies and miniseries. In 1994, she earned an Academy Award nomination for her directorial debut with the short film ‘On Hope’. Since 2009, Williams has been the President Emeritus of the Screen Actors Guild Foundation, demonstrating her commitment to the acting community. She is married to TV director John Pasquin and they have two children.

Screen Actors Guild Foundation

President Emeritus

What Is JoBeth Williams’ Net Worth?

JoBeth Williams, a multifaceted American actress and director, boasts a considerable net worth of $50 million. This financial standing is a testament to her extensive career spanning stage, television, and film, marked by over 100 acting credits. While the specific breakdown of her net worth – encompassing earnings from acting roles, directing projects, and other ventures – isn’t publicly detailed, her long-standing presence in the entertainment industry suggests a diversified income stream.

Early Career and Television Successes

Born in Houston, Texas, in December 1948, JoBeth Williams embarked on her acting journey in 1974 with appearances in television series like “Jabberwocky” and “Great Performances.” A significant early role was as Brandy Schlooe in the soap opera “Guiding Light,” where she starred from 1977 to 1981. Though the exact salary figures from these early roles remain undisclosed, these appearances laid the foundation for her subsequent success and contributed to her growing net worth. Her role in “The Client” as Reggie Love from 1995 to 1996 and in “Payne” as Constance “Connie” Payne in 1999 further cemented her status in television. Each of these roles, while varying in prominence, added to her overall income and financial stability.

Film Roles and Academy Award Nomination

Williams’ career extends beyond television to include notable film roles. She has starred in movies such as “Stir Crazy,” “Poltergeist,” “The Big Chill,” “The Day After,” “Teachers,” and “Poltergeist II: The Other Side.” While specific salary figures for these movies are not publicly available, these roles would have contributed significantly to her income. Notably, her directorial debut, the 1994 short film “On Hope,” earned her an Academy Award nomination. Although short films typically don’t generate substantial income, the recognition from the Academy Award nomination likely increased her profile and potential earning power in subsequent projects.

Throughout her career, JoBeth Williams has garnered nominations for prestigious awards, including an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, and three Primetime Emmy Awards. These nominations, while not directly translating into income, enhance her reputation and desirability in the industry, potentially leading to higher salaries and more lucrative opportunities. The financial impact of such recognition can be significant over the long term, contributing to her overall net worth.

Recurring Television Roles and Continued Earnings

In addition to her starring and supporting roles, Williams has had recurring roles in television series such as “Dexter,” “Private Practice,” “Hart of Dixie,” “Marry Me,” and “Your Family or Mine.” Recurring roles, while often less demanding than starring roles, provide a steady income stream and contribute to long-term financial security. While the specific earnings from these recurring roles are not publicly disclosed, they undoubtedly played a role in building her net worth over time. The cumulative effect of these various television appearances is a testament to her consistent work and enduring presence in the industry.

Real Estate Investments: Bel Air Mansion

JoBeth Williams and her husband, director/producer John Pasquin, have also invested in real estate, which has significantly impacted their net worth. In 1997, they purchased a 2.5-acre palatial private mansion in Bel Air for approximately $6 million. In January 2020, they listed the home for sale for just under $30 million. The potential profit from the sale of this property represents a substantial increase in their assets. While the final sale price and any associated costs are not publicly available, this real estate investment clearly contributed to their overall wealth.

Screen Actors Guild Foundation Presidency

Since 2009, JoBeth Williams has served as the president of the Screen Actors Guild Foundation. While this role is primarily a leadership and advocacy position rather than a direct income source, it raises her profile within the industry and can indirectly lead to other opportunities. The Screen Actors Guild Foundation is a non-profit organization that provides assistance and resources to actors. While Williams likely does not receive a salary that would drastically affect her net worth, it keeps her active and in touch with people in the industry.

Marriage to John Pasquin

JoBeth Williams has been married to director/producer John Pasquin since 1982. Pasquin’s own success in the entertainment industry likely contributes to the couple’s overall financial well-being. John Pasquin has directed multiple episodes of TV shows like Home Improvement, Roseanne, and Spin City. Although their finances are legally separate, their combined assets and income streams contribute to their overall financial stability and lifestyle. Together, they have two sons. Pasquin’s career, while separate from Williams’, is a factor in their household’s financial picture.

Detailed Look at JoBeth William’s Filmography

Her filmography contains a wide assortment of films that have contributed greatly to her Net Worth. Although the exact salary of each film is not public information, the success of the films themselves is well known. In 1982, JoBeth stared in “Poltergeist” which grossed $121.7 million at the box office, a major box office smash at the time. In 1983, “The Big Chill”, where she played the character Karen, grossed $111.2 million. The success of these two movies alone contributed greatly to her financial success and fame. Her role in the TV movie, “The Day After”, showed her range as an actress, further making her a very bankable actress. This increased her opportunities for future work.

Earnings from Television Series

In addition to one-off television appearances and movies, Williams was a regular on several TV series which added significantly to her income over time. From 1977-1981, she was on “Guiding Light”, one of the longest running daytime soap operas in television history. Though her salary at the time is not public information, being a regular on a soap opera for 4 years would have provided a steady income. From 1995 to 1996 she was on “The Client”, and in 1999 on “Payne”. Although these shows were short lived, they would have provided a good source of income during that time. The residual checks from appearances in these shows would also be a long term source of income.

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