Jeannetta Arnette

Biography

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

Lost

as Lizzy Calloway

The Mentalist

as Sue Overton

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

as Sandra Knowles

Pineapple Express

as Sandra Danby

Criminal Minds

as Sarah Jean Dawes

Fringe

as Dr. West

Pay It Forward

as Nurse

Boys Don't Cry

as Lana's Mom

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation

as Mrs. Spencer

The A-Team

as Betty / Sarah