
Jennifer Jason Leigh
ActingAbout Jennifer Jason Leigh
Jennifer Jason Leigh (born Jennifer Leigh Morrow; February 5, 1962) is an American actress. She began her career on television during the 1970s before making her film breakthrough in the teen film Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982). She received critical praise for her performances in Last Exit to Brooklyn (1989), Miami Blues (1990), Backdraft (1991), Single White Female (1992), and The Hudsucker Proxy (1994). She was nominated for a Golden Globe for her portrayal of Dorothy Parker in Mrs Parker and the Vicious Circle (1994). Leigh starred in a 1995 film written by her mother, screenwriter Barbara Turner, titled Georgia. She co-wrote and co-directed a film with Alan Cumming titled The Anniversary Party (2001). Leigh starred in the crime drama Road to Perdition (2002) and the family drama Margot at the Wedding (2007). She had a recurring role on the Showtime comedy-drama series Weeds (2009–2012). She received critical acclaim for her voice work in Charlie Kaufman's Anomalisa (2015). For her role as fugitive Daisy Domergue in The Hateful Eight (2015), she was nominated for the Golden Globe and Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. From 2017 to 2021, she starred in the Netflix comedy-drama series Atypical while featuring in the science fiction films Annihilation (2018) and Possessor (2020). She has since starred in the fifth season of the crime drama series Fargo (2023). For her stage work, Leigh was nominated for a Drama Desk award for her off-Broadway performance as Beverly Moss in Mike Leigh's Abigail's Party. Her Broadway debut occurred in 1998 when she became the replacement for the role of Sally Bowles in the musical Cabaret.
Career Statistics & Market Influence
Analyzing the cinematic journey of Jennifer Jason Leigh reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 50 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.
Genre Dominance: Drama
The majority of Jennifer Jason Leigh's filmography leans towards the Drama genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.
The "Box Office" Signature
With a 58% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Jennifer Jason Leigh remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in Partners in Life, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.
Best Jennifer Jason Leigh Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Jennifer Jason Leigh's career based on audience ratings.
Complete Filmography & Success Status
Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Jennifer Jason Leigh.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Night Always Comes | Doreen | Average | Similar → |
| 2021 | Awake | Dr. Murphy | Average | Similar → |
| 2021 | The Woman in the Window | Jane Russell 2 | Average | Similar → |
| 2020 | Possessor | Girder | Average | Similar → |
| 2019 | QT8: The First Eight | Self | Hit | Similar → |
| 2019 | Sid & Judy | Judy Garland (voice) | Hit | Similar → |
| 2018 | White Boy Rick | Alex Snyder | Average | Similar → |
| 2018 | Annihilation | Dr Ventress | Average | Similar → |
| 2017 | LBJ | Lady Bird Johnson | Average | Similar → |
| 2017 | Good Time | Corey Ellman | Hit | Similar → |
| 2015 | Anomalisa | Lisa Hesselman (voice) | Hit | Similar → |
| 2015 | The Hateful Eight | Daisy Domergue | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 2015 | Alex of Venice | Maureen | Average | Similar → |
| 2013 | Kill Your Darlings | Naomi Ginsberg | Hit | Similar → |
| 2013 | The Spectacular Now | Sara Keely | Hit | Similar → |
| 2010 | Greenberg | Beth (Beller's Party) | Average | Similar → |
| 2008 | Synecdoche, New York | Maria | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 2005 | Palindromes | 'Mark' Aviva | Average | Similar → |
| 2005 | The Jacket | Dr. Beth Lorenson | Hit | Similar → |
| 2004 | The Machinist | Stevie | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 2002 | Searching for Debra Winger | Self (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 2002 | Road to Perdition | Annie Sullivan | Hit | Similar → |
| 2002 | Hey Arnold! The Movie | Bridget (voice) | Hit | Similar → |
| 2001 | The Man Who Wasn't There | Female Inmate (voice) (uncredited) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 2000 | Skipped Parts | Lydia Callahan | Average | Similar → |
| 1999 | eXistenZ | Allegra Geller | Hit | Similar → |
| 1998 | The Love Letter | Lizzie Whitcomb | Hit | Similar → |
| 1997 | Washington Square | Catherine Sloper | Average | Similar → |
| 1996 | Bastard Out of Carolina | Anney Boatwright | Hit | Similar → |
| 1996 | Kansas City | Blondie O'Hara | Average | Similar → |
| 1995 | The First 100 Years: A Celebration of American Movies | Self | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1995 | Dolores Claiborne | Selena St. George | Hit | Similar → |
| 1994 | The Hudsucker Proxy | Amy Archer | Hit | Similar → |
| 1993 | Short Cuts | Lois Kaiser | Hit | Similar → |
| 1993 | Luck, Trust & Ketchup: Robert Altman in Carver Country | Self | Average | Similar → |
| 1992 | Single White Female | Hedra 'Hedy' Carlson | Average | Similar → |
| 1992 | The Prom | Lana | Hit | Similar → |
| 1991 | Rush | Kristen Cates | Hit | Similar → |
| 1991 | Backdraft | Jennifer Vaitkus | Hit | Similar → |
| 1990 | Partners in Life | Blossom | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1990 | Buried Alive | Joanna Goodman | Hit | Similar → |
| 1990 | Miami Blues | Susie Waggoner | Average | Similar → |
| 1989 | Last Exit to Brooklyn | Tralala | Hit | Similar → |
| 1986 | The Hitcher | Nash | Hit | Similar → |
| 1985 | Flesh + Blood | Agnes | Hit | Similar → |
| 1983 | Easy Money | Allison Capuletti | Average | Similar → |
| 1982 | Fast Times at Ridgemont High | Stacy Hamilton | Hit | Similar → |
| 1981 | Eyes of a Stranger | Tracy Harris | Average | Similar → |
| 1978 | The Young Runaways | Heather | Average | Similar → |
| 1976 | The Spy Who Never Was | Girl Playing with Ball (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
Jennifer Jason Leigh - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of Jennifer Jason Leigh?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Jennifer Jason Leigh is "Partners in Life" with a rating of 10.0/10.
How many movies has Jennifer Jason Leigh acted in?
Jennifer Jason Leigh has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by Jennifer Jason Leigh?
Other notable films include "The First 100 Years: A Celebration of American Movies", "The Hateful Eight", and "The Machinist".




