Annie Potts

Anne Hampton Potts, born on October 28, 1952, is an esteemed American actress with a prolific career in both film and television.
In film, Potts gained recognition for her roles in various notable movies. She received a Golden Globe Award nomination for her performance in "Corvette Summer" (1978) and won a Genie Award for "Heartaches" (1981). She is perhaps best known for her roles in iconic films such as "Ghostbusters" (1984), "Pretty in Pink" (1986), "Jumpin' Jack Flash" (1986), "Who's Harry Crumb?" (1989), and "Ghostbusters II" (1989). Additionally, Potts lent her voice to the character Bo Peep in multiple installments of the beloved "Toy Story" franchise (1995, 1999, and 2019), as well as in various Disney video games.


On television, Potts has delivered memorable performances across a range of genres. She portrayed Mary Jo Jackson Shively on the CBS sitcom "Designing Women" (1986–1993), earning widespread acclaim for her role. Potts received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for her portrayal of Dana Palladino in the CBS sitcom "Love & War" (1993–1995). She also starred as teacher Louanne Johnson in the ABC drama "Dangerous Minds" for one season (1996–1997) and garnered Screen Actors Guild Award nominations for her role as Mary-Elizabeth "M.E." Sims in the Lifetime drama series "Any Day Now" (1998–2002).
In addition to her well-known roles, Potts has appeared in other television series such as "GCB" (2012), "The Fosters" (2013–2018), and "Young Sheldon" (2017–present), showcasing her versatility and talent as an actress.


Anne Hampton Potts was born in Nashville, Tennessee, to Dorothy Harris (née Billingslea) and Powell Grisette Potts. She grew up alongside her two older sisters in Franklin, Kentucky, where she completed her high school education at Franklin-Simpson High School in 1970.
After high school, Potts pursued her passion for theater by attending Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri. She graduated from Stephens College with a bachelor's degree in theater.


Tragically, Potts was involved in a severe car accident with her first husband, Steven Hartley. The accident resulted in several bones below her waist being broken, including compound fractures to both legs, and she also lost the heel of her right foot. Her husband also suffered serious injuries, losing his left leg.


Anne Hampton Potts made her big-screen debut in 1978 in the comedy film "Corvette Summer," starring alongside Mark Hamill. Her performance earned her a nomination for a Golden Globe Award in 1979.
In 1982, Potts won Genie Awards for Best Performance by a Foreign Actress for her role in the film "Heartaches," where she portrayed a young woman married to a stock car racer and carrying his friend's child.


She also appeared in the short-lived comedy series "Goodtime Girls" in 1980, playing the character Edith Bedelmeyer, who shared an attic apartment with three other women.
Potts is perhaps best known for her role as receptionist Janine Melnitz in the "Ghostbusters" film series, where she created the character's trademark New York accent based on a friend's accent from the city. Additionally, she portrayed the pragmatic interior designer Mary Jo Shively on the CBS television sitcom "Designing Women" from 1986 to 1993.


Her other notable roles include Dana Palladino on "Love & War" (1993–1995), Mary Elizabeth (O'Brien) Sims on "Any Day Now" (1998–2002), and Sophie Devere on "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (2005–2009). She also voiced Bo Peep in three of the "Toy Story" films and had supporting roles in "Pretty in Pink" and various television series.
Throughout her career, Potts has showcased her versatility as an actress, earning nominations and critical acclaim for her performances across film and television.


Anne Hampton Potts has showcased her talents across various mediums, including audio books, film, television, and theater. In addition to her screen work, she has ventured into narration, winning the 2007 Audie Award for Solo Narration-Female for her portrayal as the narrator and heroine in Larry McMurtry's "Telegraph Days." She also starred in the film adaptation of McMurtry's "Texasville," a sequel to "The Last Picture Show."


Potts made her Broadway debut in 2009 in the Tony Award-winning play "God of Carnage," succeeding Hope Davis in the role. She continued to demonstrate her versatility by taking on different roles in various projects. In 2012, she starred in ABC's comedy-drama series "GCB" as Elizabeth "Gigi" Stopper, drawing inspiration from Dixie Carter for her portrayal. She also played a leading role in the Hallmark Channel original musical movie "The Music Teacher."
In 2013, Potts signed on for the lead role in the ABC comedy-drama pilot "Murder in Manhattan," portraying a mother who teams up with her daughter as amateur sleuths.


Although the series was not picked up by ABC, she continued to pursue diverse opportunities. Later in 2013, she joined the Broadway revival of "Pippin," marking her first appearance in a Broadway musical.
Since 2017, Potts has been a series regular on the CBS sitcom "Young Sheldon," portraying Connie "Meemaw" Tucker. Her extensive career highlights her versatility and ability to excel across different genres and formats.

References

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10. ^ Annie Potts to Star in Hallmark Movie 'The Music Teacher' (Exclusive) Archived December 14, 2019, at the Wayback Machine, The Hollywood Reporter, February 21, 2012, by Lesley Goldberg
11. ^ "Annie Potts To Star In ABC Pilot 'Murder In Manhattan'". Deadline. March 2, 2013. Archived from the original on July 2, 2013. Retrieved October 20, 2014.
12. ^ Lesley Goldberg (May 9, 2013). "ABC Studios to Shop 'Murder in Manhattan' to Other Networks". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on March 18, 2014. Retrieved October 20, 2014.
13. ^ "Annie Potts Will Join Tony Award-Winning Broadway Revival of Pippin in 2014". Playbill. Archived from the original on July 16, 2014. Retrieved October 20, 2014.
14. ^ "Annie Potts". Biography. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018