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Betty Thomas is an American actress, director, and producer of television and motion pictures. She is known for her Emmy Award-winning role as Sergeant Lucy Bates on the television series Hill Street Blues. As of March 2018, Thomas is one of just two directors to have multiple films on the list of seventeen highest-US-grossing female-directed films. Additionally, all of her films are in the top twenty-five highest-US-grossing female-directed films.
Birth Name
Betty Thomas Nienhauser
Born
Sunday, 27 July 1947
Actress Filmography
| Title | Character | Year |
|---|
| Kidding | Betty Thomas | 2018 |
| Red Carpet Report | Self | 2009 |
| HBO First Look | Self - Director / Self | 1992 |
| Troop Beverly Hills | Velda Plendor | 1989 |
| Whose Line Is It Anyway? | Self | 1988 |
| The Tracey Ullman Show | Gym teacher | 1987 |
| Prison for Children | Angela Brannon | 1987 |
| Nightlife | Self | 1986 |
| Night of 100 Stars II | Self | 1985 |
| E. Nick: A Legend in His Own Mind | Herself / Self | 1984 |
Actress Filmography
| Title | Character | Year |
|---|
| Kidding | Betty Thomas | 2018 |
| Red Carpet Report | Self | 2009 |
| HBO First Look | Self - Director / Self | 1992 |
| Troop Beverly Hills | Velda Plendor | 1989 |
| Whose Line Is It Anyway? | Self | 1988 |
| The Tracey Ullman Show | Gym teacher | 1987 |
| Prison for Children | Angela Brannon | 1987 |
| Nightlife | Self | 1986 |
| Night of 100 Stars II | Self | 1985 |
| E. Nick: A Legend in His Own Mind | Herself / Self | 1984 |
| When Your Lover Leaves | Maude | 1983 |
| Homework | Reddog's Secretary | 1982 |
| Twilight Theatre | 1982 | |
| Late Night with David Letterman | Self | 1982 |
| Entertainment Tonight | Herself / Herself (archive footage) | 1981 |
| SCTV Network | Self | 1981 |
| Hill Street Blues | Sgt. Lucy Bates / Lucille Bates / Officer Lucy Bates / Sgt. Lucille Bates / Officer Lucille Bates / Sgt. Lucile Bates | 1981 |
| Used Cars | Bunny | 1980 |
| Coming Attractions | Biker Chic #1 | 1978 |
| Outside Chance | Katherine | 1978 |
| CPO Sharkey | Seaman Daley | 1976 |
| Chesty Anderson U.S. Navy | Party Guest #1 / Party Guest | 1976 |
| The Last Affair | 1976 | |
| The Fun Factory | Self | 1976 |
| Jackson County Jail | Waitress | 1976 |
| Tunnel Vision | Bridgit Bert Richards | 1976 |
| A Labor of Love | Herself - Sleeping Girl / Self - Sleeping Girl | 1976 |
| Saturday Night Live | Various / Self - Host / Self - Co-Host / Self Defense Student | 1975 |
| ABC Afterschool Specials | Dr. Mary Lewis | 1972 |
| The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson | Herself - Guest / Herself | 1962 |
Director Filmography
| Title | Year |
|---|
| Grace and Frankie | 2015 |
| Audrey | 2012 |
| Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel | 2009 |
| John Tucker Must Die | 2006 |
| The Loop | 2006 |
| I Spy | 2002 |
| 28 Days | 2000 |
| Doctor Dolittle | 1998 |
| Private Parts | 1997 |
| The Late Shift | 1996 |
| The Brady Bunch Movie | 1995 |
| My Breast | 1994 |
| Moon Over Miami | 1993 |
| Arresting Behavior | 1992 |
| On the Air | 1992 |
| Only You | 1992 |
| Only You | 1992 |
| Sons and Daughters | 1991 |
| Parenthood | 1990 |
| Dream On | 1990 |
| Shannon's Deal | 1990 |
| Mancuso, FBI | 1989 |
| A Peaceable Kingdom | 1989 |
| Doogie Howser, M.D. | 1989 |
| Midnight Caller | 1988 |
| Hooperman | 1987 |
Producer Filmography
| Title | Year |
|---|
| Guess Who | 2005 |
| Surviving Christmas | 2004 |
| I Spy | 2002 |
| Charlie's Angels | 2000 |
| Can't Hardly Wait | 1998 |
| Year | Type | Category | Won |
|---|
| 1996 | Emmy | Outstanding Directing for a Miniseries or a Special | Nominated |
| 1994 | Emmy | Outstanding Individual Achievement in Directing for a Miniseries or a Special | Nominated |
| 1993 | Emmy | Outstanding Individual Achievement in Directing in a Comedy Series | Won |
| 1987 | Emmy | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series | Nominated |
| 1986 | Emmy | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series | Nominated |
| 1985 | Emmy | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series | Won |
| 1984 | Emmy | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series | Nominated |
| 1983 | Emmy | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series | Nominated |
| 1982 | Emmy | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series | Nominated |
| 1981 | Emmy | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series | Nominated |
