Jeannetta Arnette

About

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).

Known for

Law & Order: Special Victims UnitSeries • 1999The MentalistSeries • 2008Criminal MindsSeries • 2005CSI: Crime Scene InvestigationSeries • 2000LostSeries • 2004Diagnosis: MurderSeries • 1993FringeSeries • 2008ERSeries • 1994Star Trek: Deep Space NineSeries • 1993Cold CaseSeries • 2003L.A. LawSeries • 1986The Drew Carey ShowSeries • 1995Hill Street BluesSeries • 1981The A-TeamSeries • 1983St. ElsewhereSeries • 1982Touched by an AngelSeries • 1994V.I.P.Series • 1998Three's CompanySeries • 1977JustifiedSeries • 2010Nash BridgesSeries • 1996American Crime StorySeries • 2016Switched at BirthSeries • 2011PerceptionSeries • 2012RoswellSeries • 1999