Occupation Actress TV shows Nightingales Role Actress | Name Fran Bennett Years active 1961–present | |
 | ||
Born August 14, 1937 (age 86) ( 1937-08-14 ) Malvern, Arkansas, U.S. Movies Wes Craven's New Nigh, Roots: The Gift, Once in a Lifetime, The Next Best Thing, Grave Misconduct Similar People Rob LaBelle, Tuesday Knight, Elsa Cardenas, Carolyn Craig, Heather Langenkamp | ||
Fran Bennett (born August 14, 1937) is an American actress, known for her works on television.
Contents
Life and career
Bennett was born in Malvern, Arkansas. She is not to be confused with the 1950s actress of the same name (born Frances Eugenia Leonard, November 25, 1934, Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.), who appeared as the daughter of Elizabeth Taylor and Rock Hudson in the 1956 film Giant. She made her acting debut in theater, before making television debut on the daytime soap opera, Guiding Light. Bennett later had guest starring roles in Roots: The Next Generations, Lou Grant, Dallas, Falcon Crest, Knots Landing, L.A. Law, and Dynasty.
Bennett had regular role in the short-lived NBC medical drama Nightingales in 1989. She also had recurring roles on the daytime soap operas General Hospital, The Bold and the Beautiful and Sunset Beach. In prime time, she had recurring roles on Quantum Leap, In the Heat of the Night, Crisis Center and The Book of Daniel. In recent years, she appeared in Boston Legal, ER and Scandal. She played the coroner in an episode of "Remington Steele" January 14, 1986.
Bennett has appeared in a number of films, include Promises in the Dark (1979), How I Got Into College (1989), The Doctor (1991), Plymouth (1991), New Nightmare (1994), Foxfire (1996), The Next Best Thing (2000) and Jessabelle (2014).
From 1996 to 2003, she was head of the performance program in the School of Theater at the California Institute of the Arts.
Filmography
Actress
2021
The Manor as
Ruth
2019
Live in Front of a Studio Audience: Norman Lear's 'All in the Family' and 'The Jeffersons' (TV Special) as
Mother Jefferson
2018
Alone Together (TV Series) as
Gertel
- Dog Awards (2018) - Gertel
2018
Animal Kingdom (TV Series) as
Mrs. Fullerton
- Prey (2018) - Mrs. Fullerton
2017
NCIS (TV Series) as
Mary Elaine Smith
- Keep Your Enemies Closer (2018) - Mary Elaine Smith
- Burden of Proof (2017) - Mary Elaine Smith
2016
Growing Up (Short) as
Lenora
2015
The Fosters (TV Series) as
Iris
- Idyllwild (2015) - Iris
- Going South (2015) - Iris
2015
Scandal (TV Series) as
Louis
- Run (2015) - Louis
2014
Jessabelle as
Mrs. Davis
2010
Community (TV Series) as
Nana Barnes
- Basic Genealogy (2010) - Nana Barnes
2009
Numb3rs (TV Series) as
Estelle Brown
- Shadow Markets (2009) - Estelle Brown
2008
Grave Misconduct (TV Movie) as
Mrs. Crutch
1996
ER (TV Series) as
Michelle / Phyllis
- Owner of a Broken Heart (2008) - Michelle
- Union Station (1996) - Phyllis
2006
The Book of Daniel (TV Series) as
Rainy
- Revelations (2006) - Rainy
- God's Will (2006) - Rainy
- Betrayal (2006) - Rainy
- Withdrawal (2006) - Rainy
- Assignation (2006) - Rainy
- Acceptance (2006) - Rainy
- Temptation (2006) - Rainy
- Forgiveness (2006) - Rainy
2006
Crossing Jordan (TV Series) as
Judge
- Don't Leave Me This Way (2006) - Judge
2006
Boston Legal (TV Series) as
Judge Diane Avent
- Shock and Owww! (2006) - Judge Diane Avent
2003
Boomtown (TV Series) as
Beatrice Rahming
- The Hole-in-the-Wall Gang (2003) - Beatrice Rahming
2002
Days of Our Lives (TV Series) as
Judge Ross
- Episode #1.9281 (2002) - Judge Ross
- Episode #1.9236 (2002) - Judge Ross
2002
Any Day Now (TV Series) as
Mrs. Raymond
- Just the Beginning: Part 1 (2002) - Mrs. Raymond
2002
Crazy as Hell as
Mrs. Ada Barnett
2001
The Jennie Project (TV Movie) as
Judge
2001
Providence (TV Series) as
Chairwoman
- Rule Number One (2001) - Chairwoman
2001
Maple (Short) as
Grandmother
2000
Gideon's Crossing (TV Series) as
Lawyer
- A Routine Case (2000) - Lawyer
2000
Becker (TV Series) as
Enid Connelly
- Sight Unseen (2000) - Enid Connelly
2000
The Next Best Thing as
Judge Tracey Bennett
2000
City of Angels (TV Series) as
Hattie Brewster / Mrs. Hattie Brewer
- Weenis Between Us (2000) - Hattie Brewster
- Prototype (2000) - Mrs. Hattie Brewer
1997
Chicago Hope (TV Series) as
Dr. Odelia Wilkes / Dr. Andrea Porter
- Letting Go (2000) - Dr. Odelia Wilkes
- Second Chances (1997) - Dr. Andrea Porter
1999
The Sky Is Falling as
Mrs. Quinn
1999
Unbowed as
Miss Bennett
1999
Early Edition (TV Series) as
Judge A. Harding Joseph
- Pinch Hitters (1999) - Judge A. Harding Joseph
1999
8MM as
Nun
1998
Tempting Fate (TV Movie) as
Nurse Lorenzo
1998
Team Knight Rider (TV Series) as
Miss Barrett
- Angels in Chains (1998) - Miss Barrett
1997
Sunset Beach (TV Series) as
Chief Harris
- Episode #1.215 (1997) - Chief Harris (uncredited)
- Episode #1.177 (1997) - Chief Harris (uncredited)
- Episode #1.94 (1997) - Chief Harris (uncredited)
- Episode #1.37 (1997) - Chief Harris (uncredited)
- Episode #1.18 (1997) - Chief Harris (uncredited)
- Episode #1.7 (1997) - Chief Harris (uncredited)
1997
Leave It to Beaver as
Dr. Beaumont
1997
Crisis Center (TV Series) as
Tess's Mother / Tess's Mom
- Shots (1997) - Tess's Mom
- Someone to Watch Over Me (1997) - Tess's Mother
- He Said, She Said (1997) - Tess's Mother
- It's a Family Affair (1997) - Tess's Mother
1996
What Love Sees (TV Movie) as
Bessie Hays
1996
Foxfire as
Judge Holifield
1996
Arli$$ (TV Series) as
Amelia Halimon
- Negotiating: It's Never Personal (1996) - Amelia Halimon
1996
Sports Theater with Shaquille O'Neal (TV Series) as
Grandma Williams
- 4 Points (1996) - Grandma Williams
1994
A Perry Mason Mystery: The Case of the Grimacing Governor (TV Movie) as
Judge Donna Andrews
1994
New Nightmare as
Dr. Heffner
1994
Once in a Lifetime (TV Movie) as
Dr. Liz Wells
1994
Murder, She Wrote (TV Series) as
Detective MacKenzie
- Proof in the Pudding (1994) - Detective MacKenzie
1990
In the Heat of the Night (TV Series) as
Aunt Ruda Gibson / Ruda Gibson
- Last Rights (1992) - Aunt Ruda Gibson
- Ruda's Awakening (1991) - Aunt Ruda Gibson
- Family Matters (1990) - Ruda Gibson
1992
Melrose Place (TV Series) as
Dr. Miller
- Jake vs. Jake (1992) - Dr. Miller
1991
Quantum Leap (TV Series) as
Marie Billings / Ada Simpson
- Trilogy: Part 3 - July 28, 1978 (1992) - Marie Billings
- Trilogy: Part 2 - June 14, 1966 (1992) - Marie Billings
- Trilogy: Part 1 - August 8, 1955 (1992) - Marie Billings
- Justice - May 11, 1965 (1991) - Ada Simpson
1992
Majority Rule (TV Movie)
1992
Breaking the Silence (TV Movie) as
Judge Richards
1987
Jake and the Fatman (TV Series) as
Thornton / Judge
- Last Dance (1992) - Thornton
- Fatal Attraction (1987) - Judge (uncredited)
1991
Star Trek: The Next Generation (TV Series) as
Fleet Adm. Shanthi
- Redemption II (1991) - Fleet Adm. Shanthi
1991
Crazy from the Heart (TV Movie) as
Judge Sandra Farrell
1991
The Doctor as
Admissions Secretary
1991
Plymouth (TV Movie) as
Debra
1990
WIOU (TV Series) as
Leonara Gates
- Labored Relations (1991) - Leonara Gates
- The Inquisition (1990) - Leonara Gates
1990
Capital News (TV Series)
- Shell Game (1990)
1990
Matlock (TV Series) as
Betty Harding
- The Personal Trainer (1990) - Betty Harding
1990
The Knife and Gun Club (TV Movie) as
Nurse Mary Falk
1990
Nasty Boys (TV Series)
- Crossover (1990)
1987
Amen (TV Series) as
Judge Wilde / Judge Walters
- Deacon's Dilemma (1990) - Judge Wilde
- Frye for the Defense (1987) - Judge Walters
1990
Mancuso, FBI (TV Series) as
Anna
- Conspiracy (1990) - Anna
1989
Tour of Duty (TV Series) as
Mrs. Johnson
- Green Christmas (1989) - Mrs. Johnson
1989
ALF (TV Series) as
Mrs. Watson
- Happy Together (1989) - Mrs. Watson
1983
ABC Afterschool Specials (TV Series) as
Nurse Etting / Nurse Matthews
- My Dad Can't Be Crazy- Can He? (1989) - Nurse Etting
- The Woman Who Willed a Miracle (1983) - Nurse Matthews
1989
How I Got Into College as
Mrs. Cook
1989
Nightingales (TV Series) as
Head Nurse Lenore Ritt
- Pilot (1989) - Head Nurse Lenore Ritt
1988
Roots: The Gift (TV Movie) as
Mammy May
1988
Nightingales (TV Movie) as
Lenore Ritt RN
1988
Dynasty (TV Series) as
Gloria Wilby
- The Proposal (1988) - Gloria Wilby
- The Trial (1988) - Gloria Wilby (as Fran Benett)
1988
Highway to Heaven (TV Series) as
Flora
- Back to Oakland (1988) - Flora
1987
L.A. Law (TV Series) as
Judge Hillary Miller Johnson
- Hand Roll Express (1988) - Judge Hillary Miller Johnson
- The Douglas Fur Ball (1987) - Judge Hillary Miller Johnson
1987
The Bold and the Beautiful (TV Series) as
Judge Madeline Collins
1987
A Year in the Life (TV Series) as
Mrs. Caldwell
- Don't I Know You from Somewhere? (1987) - Mrs. Caldwell
1986
The Morning After as
Airline Clerk
1980
Knots Landing (TV Series) as
Dr. Faulkner / Kimya Haman / Bev Tolner
- The Legacy (1986) - Dr. Faulkner
- Abby's Choice (1982) - Kimya Haman
- Let Me Count the Ways (1980) - Bev Tolner
1986
Between Two Women (TV Movie) as
Night Nurse
1986
Cagney & Lacey (TV Series) as
Judge Hansen
- Family Connections (1986) - Judge Hansen
1986
Foley Square (TV Series) as
Dr. Charney
- Nobody's Perfect (1986) - Dr. Charney
1986
The Twilight Zone (TV Series) as
UN Chairman (segment "A Small Talent for War")
- Monsters!/A Small Talent for War/A Matter of Minutes (1986) - UN Chairman (segment "A Small Talent for War")
1986
Benson (TV Series) as
Senator Williams
- Secret Love (1986) - Senator Williams
1986
Simon & Simon (TV Series) as
Wanda Tale
- The Blue Chip Stomp (1986) - Wanda Tale
1986
St. Elsewhere (TV Series) as
Nurse Julie Attucks
- To Tell the Truth (1986) - Nurse Julie Attucks
1986
Remington Steele (TV Series) as
Coroner
- Steele, Inc. (1986) - Coroner
1985
Shadow Chasers (TV Series) as
Dr. Frolov
- Spirit of St. Louis (1985) - Dr. Frolov
1985
Falcon Crest (TV Series) as
Nurse
- Confessions (1985) - Nurse
- Cold Comfort (1985) - Nurse
1985
Hail to the Chief (TV Series) as
Tour Guide
- Episode #1.4 (1985) - Tour Guide
1985
The Dancing Bulrushes (Short) as
Narrator
1984
Glitter (TV Series) as
Molly Burnett
- Illusions (1984) - Molly Burnett
1984
Trapper John, M.D. (TV Series) as
Mrs. Ramsey
- School Nurse (1984) - Mrs. Ramsey
1984
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (TV Movie) as
Sookey
1984
Ernie Kovacs: Between the Laughter (TV Movie) as
Miss Deal
1984
Dallas (TV Series) as
Receptionist
- Where Is Poppa? (1984) - Receptionist
1983
General Hospital (TV Series) as
Flora Johnston
- Episode dated 14 December 1983 (1983) - Flora Johnston
- Episode dated 12 December 1983 (1983) - Flora Johnston
- Episode dated 21 November 1983 (1983) - Flora Johnston
1983
Matt Houston (TV Series) as
Lucille
- The Ghost of Carter Gault (1983) - Lucille
1983
Romantic Comedy as
Doctor #1
1981
Blind Tom: The Story of Thomas Bethune (Short)
1981
Lou Grant (TV Series) as
Chaney / Sarah
- Wedding (1981) - Chaney
- Boomerang (1981) - Sarah
1981
The Violation of Sarah McDavid (TV Movie) as
Ms. Merriam
1981
Checking In (TV Series) as
Barbara
- Florence and the Salesman (1981) - Barbara
1980
The Righteous Apples (TV Series) as
Evelyn
- Convictions (1980) - Evelyn
1980
Here's Boomer (TV Series) as
Dr. Joyce Clarke
- Molly (1980) - Dr. Joyce Clarke
1979
One Day at a Time (TV Series) as
Nurse
- Heart Attack (1979) - Nurse
1979
Friendships, Secrets and Lies (TV Movie) as
Clarissa - the maid
1979
Family (TV Series) as
Sgt. Edison
- Thanksgiving (1979) - Sgt. Edison
1979
Promises in the Dark as
Emergency Room Nurse
1979
Roots: The Next Generations (TV Mini Series) as
Trixie
- Part VI (1939-1950) (1979) - Trixie
1978
This Is the Life (TV Series) as
Nurse
- The Sound of Doors Closing (1978) - Nurse
1978
Diff'rent Strokes (TV Series) as
Mrs. Thompson
- The Social Worker (1978) - Mrs. Thompson
1964
CBS Repertoire Workshop (TV Series)
- Call Board No. 2 (1964)
1956
Matinee Theatre (TV Series)
- The Lighted Window (1956)
1952
Guiding Light (TV Series) as
Mrs. Matson (1965-1966)
Self
2010
Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy (Video documentary) as
Self - 'Dr. Christine Heffner'
1954
What Do You Have in Common? (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode dated 1 July 1954 (1954) - Self
References
Fran Bennett Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA