# Amanda Plummer

Amanda Michael Plummer (born March 23, 1957) is an American actress. She is known for her work on stage and for her film roles, including Joe Versus the Volcano (1990), The Fisher King (1991), Pulp Fiction (1994), and The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013). Plummer won a Tony Award in 1982 for her performance in Agnes of God. She most recently appeared in the third season of Star Trek: Picard (2023).

## Early life

Plummer was born on March 23, 1957, in New York City, the only child of American actress Tammy Grimes and Canadian actor Christopher Plummer. Her father said that they named their daughter Amanda Michael after Amanda Prynne, a character from the play Private Lives, and the actress Michael Learned. She attended the elite Trinity School before graduating from the United Nations International School (UNIS). She attended Middlebury College for two and a half years, and as a young adult, studied acting at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre in New York City.

## Career

Plummer has received critical acclaim for her film work, including such films as Cattle Annie and Little Britches (1981), The World According to Garp (1982), Daniel (1983), and The Hotel New Hampshire (1984). Other films of note include The Fisher King, for which she received a BAFTA film nomination (1992), a Chicago Film Critics Association Award nomination (1992), and a Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award (1992).
Her other films include Pulp Fiction, for which she received an American Comedy Award nomination, Girlfriend, Butterfly Kiss, My Life Without Me, Vampire, and Ken Park. She made her Broadway debut as Jo in the 1981 revival of A Taste of Honey, which ran for almost a year with Valerie French playing Helen, Jo's mother. She received a Tony Award nomination, a Theatre World, a Drama Desk, and an Outer Critics Circle Awards for her portrayal. She won a Tony Award for Featured Actress and the Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle and Boston Critics Circle Awards for her portrayal of Agnes in Agnes of God, with Geraldine Page and Elizabeth Ashley. In 1983, she portrayed Laura Wingfield in a Broadway revival of The Glass Menagerie. Other Broadway performances include Dolly Clandon in You Never Can Tell (1986), and as Eliza Doolittle in Pygmalion (1987, for which she received her third Tony Award nomination, this time for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play).
Her off-Broadway plays include as Beth in Sam Shepard's A Lie of the Mind, and Killer Joe, written by Tracy Letts. She has performed in many of Tennessee Williams' plays, including Summer and Smoke, The Gnädiges Fräulein, The Milk Train Doesn't Stop Here Anymore, and the world premiere of The One Exception.
In 1996, Plummer won an Emmy Award for her guest appearance on the episode "A Stitch in Time" of The Outer Limits. In 2005, she won an Emmy as Miranda Cole in the Law & Order: Special Victims Unit episode "Weak", in which she played a woman with schizophrenia.
She was nominated for a Golden Globe Award and received another Emmy Award for her performance in Miss Rose White, a Hallmark made-for-television film about a Holocaust survivor, for which she received the Anti-Defamation League Award. For her performance in Last Light (1993), she received a Cable Ace Award nomination. Her other awards include the Hollywood Drama Critics Award for her performance in the title female role in Romeo and Juliet, the Saturn Award for her performance as Nettie in Needful Things (1993), and a Cable Ace Award for her performance in The Right To Remain Silent (1996).
Plummer played Wiress, a former "tribute" who won the Hunger Games, in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013), the film adaptation of the second novel of The Hunger Games trilogy, by Suzanne Collins. Plummer starred alongside Brad Dourif in the critically acclaimed Off Broadway revival of Tennessee Williams' The Two-Character Play at New World Stages in 2013.
In 2020, Plummer was featured in the Netflix drama series Ratched. Plummer plays Vadic, the main villain of the third and final season of Star Trek: Picard, in 2023.

## Personal life

Plummer dated screenwriter and director Paul Chart in the late 1990s. The two lived together in Los Angeles and worked together on Chart's film American Perfekt.

## Filmography
### Film

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1981 | Cattle Annie and Little Britches | Anna "Cattle Annie" McDoulet | |
| 1982 | The World According to Garp | Ellen James | |
| 1983 | Daniel | Susan Isaacson | |
| 1984 | The Hotel New Hampshire | Miss Dawn Miscarriage | |
| 1985 | Static | Julia Purcell | |
| 1987 | Courtship | Laura Vaughn | |
| 1987 | Made in Heaven | Wiley Foxx | |
| 1989 | Prisoners of Inertia | Sam | |
| 1990 | Joe Versus the Volcano | Dagmar | |
| 1991 | The Fisher King | Lydia Sinclair | |
| 1992 | Freejack | Nun | |
| 1992 | The Lounge People | Sabrina | |
| 1993 | So I Married an Axe Murderer | Rose Michaels | |
| 1993 | Needful Things | Nettie Cobb | |
| 1994 | Pulp Fiction | Honey Bunny/Yolanda | |
| 1994 | Pax | Franny | |
| 1995 | Butterfly Kiss | Eunice | |
| 1995 | Nostradamus | Catherine de' Medici | |
| 1995 | The Final Cut | Rothstein | |
| 1995 | The Prophecy | Rachael | |
| 1995 | Drunks | Shelley | |
| 1996 | Dead Girl | Frida | |
| 1996 | Freeway | Ramona Lutz | |
| 1997 | American Perfekt | Sandra Thomas | |
| 1997 | Hercules | Clotho | Voice |
| 1997 | A Simple Wish | Boots | |
| 1997 | Hysteria | Myrna Malloy | |
| 1998 | You Can Thank Me Later | Susan Cooperbeg | |
| 1998 | L.A. Without a Map | Red Pool Owner | |
| 1998 | October 22 | Denise | |
| 1999 | 8½ Women | Beryl | |
| 2000 | The Million Dollar Hotel | Vivien | |
| 2000 | Seven Days to Live [de] | Ellen Shaw | |
| 2002 | The Gray in Between | Jalyn | |
| 2002 | The Last Angel | The Last Angel | Short film |
| 2002 | Triggermen | Penny Archer | |
| 2002 | Ken Park | Claude's mother | |
| 2003 | My Life Without Me | Laurie | |
| 2003 | The Cruelest Day | Karin | |
| 2003 | Mimic 3: Sentinel | Simone Montrose | Direct-to-video |
| 2004 | Satan's Little Helper | Merrill Whooly | |
| 2008 | Inconceivable | Lesley Banks | |
| 2008 | Red | Mrs. Diane Doust | |
| 2008 | Affinity | Miss Helena Ridley | |
| 2008 | 45 R.P.M. | Caralee Lucas | |
| 2009 | Samurai Avenger: The Blind Wolf | Lady in the Car | |
| 2009 | First Time Long Time | Maggie | Short film |
| 2010 | The Making of Plus One | Kim Owens | |
| 2010 | Girlfriend | Celeste | |
| 2010 | 1001 Ways to Enjoy the Missionary Position | Nora | |
| 2011 | Vampire | Helga | |
| 2011 | Dr. Ketel | Louise | |
| 2011 | Today's Headline | Amy | Short film |
| 2012 | Sophomore | Miss June Hultz | |
| 2012 | Small Apartments | Mrs. Luigiana Ballisteri | |
| 2012 | Abigail Harm | Abigail Harm | |
| 2012 | I Have to Buy New Shoes | Joanne | |
| 2013 | The Hunger Games: Catching Fire | Wiress | |
| 2014 | Strangely in Love | Sister Sarah | |
| 2015 | Reversion | Elizabeth | |
| 2016 | The Dancer | Lili | |
| 2016 | Honeyglue | Alice | |
| 2018 | We Are Boats | Jimmie | |
| 2018 | A Young Man with High Potential | Ketura Stantz | |
| 2018 | Freaks of Nurture | Mom | Voice, short film |
| 2019 | Spiral Farm | Dianic | |
| 2021 | Night Raiders | Roberta | |
| 2022 | Showing Up | Dorothy | |

### Television

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1982 | ABC Afterschool Special | Angela Dunoway | Episode: "The Unforgivable Secret" |
| 1984 | The Dollmaker | Mamie Childers | Television film |
| 1987 | Moonlighting | Jackie Wilbourne | Episode: "Take a Left at the Altar" |
| 1988 | The Equalizer | Jill O'Connor | Episode: "A Dance on the Dark Side" |
| 1988 | Gryphon | Ms. Annette Ferenczi | Television film |
| 1989 | Miami Vice | Lisa Madsen | Episode: "Fruit of the Poison Tree" |
| 1989 | Tales from the Crypt | Peggy | Episode: "Lover Come Hack to Me" |
| 1989 | HBO Storybook Musicals | Narrator | Episode: "The Story of the Dancing Frog" |
| 1989 | True Blue | Susan Lizar | Episode: "Pilot: Part 1" |
| 1989–1990 | L.A. Law | Alice Hackett | 6 episodes |
| 1990 | Kojak | Phyllis | Episode: "None So Blind" |
| 1991 | The Hidden Room | Sarah Cole | Episode: "A Type of Love Story" |
| 1992 | Sands of Time | Sister Graziella | Television film |
| 1992 | Miss Rose White | Lusia Burke | Television film |
| 1993 | Last Light | Lillian Burke | Television film |
| 1993 | Whose Child Is This? The War for Baby Jessica | Cara Clausen | Television film |
| 1996–2000 | The Outer Limits | Dr. Theresa Givens | 2 episodes |
| 1996 | Duckman | Princess Fallopia (voice) | Episode: "The Road to Dendron" |
| 1996 | The Right To Remain Silent | Paulina Marcos | Television film |
| 1996 | Don't Look Back | Bridget | Television film |
| 1996 | Under the Piano | Franny Basilio | Television film |
| 1998 | Stories from My Childhood | The Queen | Voice, episode: "The Twelve Months & The Snow Girl" |
| 1999 | The Apartment Complex | Miss Chenille | Television film |
| 2002 | Night Visions | Music Professor | Episode: "The Maze" |
| 2002 | Get a Clue | Miss Kim Dawson | Television film |
| 2004 | Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | Miranda Cole | Episode: "Weak" |
| 2006 | Battlestar Galactica | Oracle Selloi | Episode: "Exodus" |
| 2007 | WordGirl | Lady Redundant Woman | Voice, episode: "Lady Redundant Woman" |
| 2009–2013 | Phineas and Ferb | Professor Poofenplotz | Voice, 2 episodes |
| 2014 | Hannibal | Katherine Pims | Episode: "Takiawase" |
| 2015 | The Blacklist | Tracy Solobotkin | Episode: "The Deer Hunter" |
| 2020 | Ratched | Louise | 7 episodes |
| 2023 | Star Trek: Picard | Captain Vadic | 6 episodes |

### Video games

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1997 | Hercules | Clotho | |

### Stage

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1979 | A Month in the Country | Vera Aleksandrovna | |
| 1979 | Artichoke | Lily-Agnes | |
| 1981 | A Taste of Honey | Josephine | |
| 1982 | Agnes of God | Sister Agnes | |
| 1983 | Lee Harvey Oswald | Marina | Bayview Playhouse, Toronto, Canada |
| 1983 | The Glass Menagerie | Laura Wingfield | |
| 1985 | A Lie of the Mind | Beth | |
| 1986 | You Never Can Tell | Dolly Clandon | |
| 1987 | Pygmalion | Eliza Doolittle | |
| 1990 | Abundance | Bess | |
| 1998 | Killer Joe | Sharla Smith | |
| 2005 | The Lark | Joan of Arc | |
| 2006–2007 | Summer and Smoke | Alma Winemiller | |
| 2013 | The Two-Character Play | Clare | |
| 2017 | The Night of the Iguana | Hannah Jelkes | |

## Awards and nominations

Theatre :
| Year | Award | Category | Nominated work | Result |
| 1982 | Tony Awards | Best Actress in a Play | A Taste of Honey | Nominated |
| 1982 | Tony Awards | Best Featured Actress in a Play | Agnes of God | Won |
| 1987 | Tony Awards | Best Actress in a Play | Pygmalion | Nominated |
| 1981 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Actress in a Play | A Taste of Honey | Nominated |
| 1982 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play | Agnes of God | Won |
| 1981 | Theatre World Awards | — | A Taste of Honey | Won |
Film & television :
| Year | Award | Category | Nominated work | Result |
| 1992 | BAFTA Awards | Best Actress in a Supporting Role | The Fisher King | Nominated |
| 1993 | Golden Globe Awards | Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries or Television Film | Miss Rose White | Nominated |
| 1989 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series | L.A. Law | Nominated |
| 1992 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie | Miss Rose White | Won |
| 1996 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series | The Outer Limits | Won |
| 2005 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series | Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | Won |
| 1991 | Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards | Best Supporting Actress | The Fisher King | Runner-up |
| 1992 | Chicago Film Critics Association Awards | Best Supporting Actress | The Fisher King | Nominated |
| 1992 | Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association Awards | Best Supporting Actress | The Fisher King | Nominated |
| 1993 | CableAce Awards | Actress in a Dramatic Series | The Hidden Room | Nominated |
| 1994 | CableAce Awards | Supporting Actress in a Movie or Miniseries | Last Light | Nominated |
| 1996 | CableAce Awards | Supporting Actress in a Movie or Miniseries | The Right to Remain Silent | Won |
| 1996 | CableAce Awards | Actress in a Dramatic Special/Series | The Outer Limits | Nominated |
| 1994 | Awards Community Circuit Awards | Best Cast Ensemble | Pulp Fiction | Won |
| 1994 | Fangoria Chainsaw Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Needful Things | Nominated |
| 2006 | Fangoria Chainsaw Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Satan's Little Helper | Nominated |
| 1994 | Saturn Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Needful Things | Won |
| 2024 | Saturn Awards | Best Guest Starring Role on Television | Star Trek: Picard | Nominated |
| 1995 | American Comedy Awards | Funniest Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture | Pulp Fiction | Nominated |
| 2003 | DVD Exclusive Awards | Best Actress in a DVD Premiere Movie | Mimic 3: Sentinel | Nominated |
| 2016 | Oldenburg International Film Festival | German Independence Honorary Award (Tribute) | — | Won |
| 2019 | Oldenburg International Film Festival | Star of Excellence (Walk of Fame) | — | Won |
| 2022 | Vancouver Film Critics Circle Awards | Best Supporting Actress (Canadian) | Night Raiders | Nominated |
| 2024 | Independent Spirit Robert Altman Award | Independent Spirit Robert Altman Award | Showing Up | Won |