
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).

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
TV • 1999

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
TV • 2000

The Mentalist
TV • 2008

Criminal Minds
TV • 2005

Lost
TV • 2004

Fringe
TV • 2008

ER
TV • 1994

Diagnosis: Murder
TV • 1993

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
TV • 1993

Cold Case
TV • 2003

The A-Team
TV • 1983

L.A. Law
TV • 1986

The Drew Carey Show
TV • 1995

St. Elsewhere
TV • 1982

Nash Bridges
TV • 1996

Touched by an Angel
TV • 1994

Hill Street Blues
TV • 1981

V.I.P.
TV • 1998