Laurie Metcalf Biography: Emmy Awards, Age, Net Worth, Movies, TV Shows, Height, Children

Laura Elizabeth Metcalf, professionally known as Laurie Metcalf, is an American actress celebrated for her Emmy-winning role as Jackie Harris on the ABC sitcom Roseanne (1988–1997, 2018) and its spin-off The Conners (2018–present), where her portrayal of the quirky, resilient sister earned her three Primetime Emmys and widespread acclaim.

A versatile talent, she’s shone in dramatic roles like Mary Cooper on The Big Bang Theory and films such as Lady Bird (2017), which garnered her an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress.

Metcalf’s extensive stage work, including a Tony Award for A Doll’s House, Part 2 (2017), reflects her roots as a founding member of Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre, blending comedic and dramatic mastery across a five-decade career.

Profile

• Full Name: Laura Elizabeth Metcalf
• Stage Name: Laurie Metcalf
• Born: 16 June 1955
• Age: 70 years old
• Birthplace: Carbondale, Illinois, USA
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: Actress
• Height: 1.65m
• Parents: James Metcalf, Libby Metcalf
• Siblings: Linda Metcalf, James Metcalf Jr.
• Spouse: Jeff Perry (m. 1983–1986), Matt Roth (m. 1993–2014)
• Children: Zoe Perry, Will Roth, Mae Akins Roth, Donovan Roth
• Relationship: Divorced
• Net Worth: $14 million

Early Life and Education

Laura Elizabeth Metcalf was born on June 16, 1955, in Carbondale, Illinois, to James Metcalf, a budget director at Southern Illinois University, and Libby Metcalf, a librarian.

She grew up with two siblings, Linda and James Jr., in nearby Edwardsville, where her shy demeanor gave way to a passion for theater discovered in high school plays.

Metcalf graduated from Edwardsville High School in 1973 and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from Illinois State University in 1976, where she began collaborating with peers like John Malkovich, forming the Steppenwolf Theatre Company.

She is of Caucasian ethnicity, with English, German, and Irish ancestry, and her religious beliefs are not publicly known.

Career

Laurie Metcalf began her career in 1976 with Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago, performing in productions like Balm in Gilead, which earned her an Obie Award in 1984 after a New York transfer.

Her screen debut came in 1985 with a small role in Desperately Seeking Susan, followed by early TV appearances on Saturday Night Live (1981, one episode) and The Execution of Raymond Graham (1985).

Her breakout arrived as Jackie Harris on Roseanne in 1988, where her comedic timing and emotional depth won three consecutive Primetime Emmys (1992–1994) and made her a household name across 222 episodes.

Metcalf’s film career flourished with roles like the controlling sister in Uncle Buck (1989), a journalist in JFK (1991), and the mother in Scream 2 (1997), showcasing her range across comedy, drama, and thriller genres.

She earned critical acclaim as Marion McPherson in Lady Bird (2017), securing an Academy Award nomination, and played Mary Cooper, Sheldon’s devout mother, on The Big Bang Theory (2007–2019) in 14 episodes, reprising the role in Young Sheldon.

Her voice work includes Mrs. Davis in the Toy Story franchise (1995–2019), adding warmth to animated classics.

Laurie Metcalf remains a stage powerhouse, winning a Tony for A Doll’s House, Part 2 (2017) and earning nominations for Misery (2016) and Hillary and Clinton (2019).

Recent TV roles include The Dropout (2022) as Dr. Phyllis Gardner and Hacks (2024), while films like Somewhere in Queens (2023) highlight her enduring versatility.

Her influence spans generations, mentoring actors through Steppenwolf and advocating for authentic storytelling that bridges stage and screen.

Social Media

Laurie Metcalf does not have any active social media accounts.

Personal Life

Laurie Metcalf married actor Jeff Perry, a Steppenwolf co-founder, in 1983, with whom she had daughter Zoe Perry (born 1983), now an actress on Young Sheldon. They divorced in 1986.

Metcalf wed actor Matt Roth in 1993, welcoming son Will Roth (born 1993), daughter Mae Akins Roth (born 2005 via surrogate), and son Donovan Roth (born 2000, adopted in 2006); they divorced in 2014.

Metcalf is currently single and keeps her family life private, residing in Los Angeles and Chicago.

Filmography

• Desperately Seeking Susan (1985)
• Uncle Buck (1989)
• Roseanne (1988–1997, 2018)
• JFK (1991)
• Scream 2 (1997)
• Toy Story (1995–2019)
• The Big Bang Theory (2007–2019)
• Lady Bird (2017)
• The Conners (2018–present)
• The Dropout (2022)

Net Worth

Laurie Metcalf has an estimated net worth of $14 million. Her wealth primarily stems from her long-running role on Roseanne and The Conners, earning high per-episode fees and syndication royalties.

Film roles in Lady Bird and Toy Story, plus guest spots on The Big Bang Theory and stage earnings from Tony-winning performances, bolster her financial portfolio as a versatile, award-winning actress.