| Birth name | June Louise Squibb |
|---|---|
| Birth date | November 6, 1929 (age 96) |
| Birth place | Vandalia, Illinois, U.S. |
| Education | Whittier College (attended)[citation needed] |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1947–present |
| Spouse |
|
June Louise Squibb (born November 6, 1929)[1] is an American actress. She began her career by making her Broadway debut in the musical Gypsy (1959). Her film debut was in Woody Allen's romantic comedy Alice (1990). She later had supporting roles in the films The Age of Innocence (1993), In & Out (1997), Meet Joe Black (1998), About Schmidt (2002), and Far from Heaven (2002). For her role in Alexander Payne's road film Nebraska (2013), she was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.[2]
Squibb starred in the action comedy film Thelma (2024) and the comedy-drama Eleanor the Great (2025).[3][4] She also voiced characters in the animated films Ralph Breaks the Internet (2018), Toy Story 4 (2019), Soul (2020), Inside Out 2 (2024), and Zootopia 2 (2025). She returned to the Broadway stage in 2025 in a revival of the Jordan Harrison play Marjorie Prime for which she was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play.
Early and personal life
Squibb was born in Vandalia, Illinois.[5] Squibb married Edward Sostek in 1953; they divorced in 1959. Later that same year, she married acting teacher Charles Kakatsakis. They had a son, Harry, a filmmaker who directed the short film Admissions. In the 1950s, Squibb converted to Judaism.[6][7][8] When asked about ageism in show business, she said, "Well, it's like anything else. I always feel, rules are meant to be broken."[9]
Career
Early appearances
Squibb worked at The Muny and trained with HB Studio. In 1951, she moved to Cleveland to sing and dance at the Cleveland Play House and starred in productions such as Marseilles, The Play's the Thing, Goodbye, My Fancy, The Heiress, Detective Story, Antigone, Ladies in Retirement and Bloomer Girl. In the late 1950s, she and her second husband, Charles Kakatsakis, moved to New York City to pursue careers on Broadway.[10] She played Dulcie in the 1958 off-Broadway The Boy Friend and starred in the 1959 Off-Broadway revival of Lend an Ear.[11] She replaced Electra for her Broadway debut in the original production of Gypsy: A Musical Fable. Squibb appeared in the 1968 Broadway version of The Happy Time. The musical was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Musical. She did modeling work for romance novels, and performed on road tours and cruise ships, and worked as Santa Claus’s helper at Christmas in the shopping malls.[10]
In 1985, Squibb received her SAG/AFTRA card after appearing in an episode of CBS Schoolbreak Special.[10] Five years later she made her big screen debut playing a supporting role in the romantic comedy film Alice by Woody Allen.[10] During the 1990s, Squibb also played supporting and minor parts in the films Scent of a Woman (1992), The Age of Innocence (1993), In & Out (1997) and Meet Joe Black (1998). In 2020, she appeared in the 1995 Broadway play Sacrilege. On television, she had a recurring role in the ABC daytime soap opera All My Children and made guest starring appearances on prime time series, such as Law & Order, ER, Just Shoot Me!, Judging Amy, Two and a Half Men and Curb Your Enthusiasm.
In 2002, Squibb co-starred opposite Jack Nicholson in the comedy-drama film About Schmidt playing his wife.[12] After this role, she appeared in films Far from Heaven (2002), Welcome to Mooseport (2004), and Just Add Water (2008). From 2005 to 2007, she had a recurring role in the CBS crime series Ghost Whisperer, and from 2008 to 2009 played Pearl on the CBS soap opera, The Young and the Restless. She also appeared in the made-for-television films A Stranger's Heart (2007) and Shark Swarm (2008) and guest-starred on The Middle, Castle and Mike & Molly. In 2011, she played Stella Gordon in Dividing the Estate at the Dallas Theater Center and received standout reviews.[13]
Breakthrough
In 2013, Squibb starred opposite Bruce Dern in the road comedy-drama film Nebraska, directed by Alexander Payne. She received positive reviews for her performance.[14][15][16] Film critic Christy Lemire from RogerEbert.com called her a "scene-stealer",[17] while Peter Travers from the Rolling Stone called her "priceless".[18] She received Boston Society of Film Critics Award for Best Supporting Actress and Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture, as well as being nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture, the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role and the Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Female among other accolades for the film.[19][20] Following her big break, Squibb guest-starred on Girls, Glee, Devious Maids, Mom and Getting On. She was inducted into the Cleveland Play House Hall of Fame in 2016.[21]
In 2015, Squibb starred opposite Blythe Danner in the comedy-drama film I'll See You in My Dreams.[22][23] Later that year, she appeared in the Christmas comedy-drama Love the Coopers. In 2016, she guest-starred on The Big Bang Theory as Sheldon's meemaw.[24] Later that year, she had a recurring role as Etta Teasdale in the Showtime comedy-drama series Shameless.[25] In 2017, she guest-starred alongside Hal Holbrook on Grey's Anatomy.[26] She also appeared in the films Other People (2016), Father Figures (2017), Blow the Man Down (2019), Palm Springs (2020), Hubie Halloween (2020), The Humans (2021) and Family Squares (2022). She played Old Josie in the 2018 Broadway production of Waitress.[27] She had a supporting role in the Disney+ fantasy film Godmothered in 2020.[28] She played Vivian, the grandmother of Eddie Palmer (Justin Timberlake), in Apple TV+ 2021 film Palmer. From 2018 to 2019, she had a recurring role in the NBC crime comedy-drama Good Girls. She also played Mrs. Danforth, a rich benefactor, in "The Indoor Arm", the final episode of the second season of the Apple TV+ series Little America.
In 2024, Squibb had her first leading role, in the action comedy film Thelma. It received mostly positive reviews from critics.[29][30][31][32] Mae Abdulbaki wrote in her Screen Rant review: "June Squibb proves she's still on top of her acting game in an energetic, charming adventure comedy that is actually genuinely funny."[33] That same year, she appeared in the black comedy Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead.[34] Squibb starred in another leading role in Scarlett Johansson's directorial debut film Eleanor the Great.[35]
In 2026, she was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play for her acting in Marjorie Prime, which made her the oldest ever Tony Award acting nominee, at age 96.[36]
Acting credits
Film
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | CBS Schoolbreak Special | Sylvia the Landlady | Episode: "The Day the Senior Class Got Married" |
| 1995; 1999 | Law & Order | Sylvia Sherman / Eileen De Rose | 2 episodes |
| 2001 | Ed | Dr. Bernaman | Episode: "Valentine's Day" |
| 2003–2004 | Judging Amy | Louise Flowers | 5 episodes |
| 2003 | ER | Agnes | Episode: "No Strings Attached" |
| Just Shoot Me! | Mrs. Nora Pebbles | Episode: "Son of a Preacher Man" | |
| 2005 | House | Ramona | Episode: "Love Hurts" |
| The Bernie Mac Show | Sister Rosetta Hamillton | Episode: "Night of Terror" | |
| Two and a Half Men | Margaret | Episode: "Sleep Tight, Puddin' Pop" | |
| Curb Your Enthusiasm | Mrs. Edie Cone | Episode: "The End" | |
| 2005–2007 | Ghost Whisperer | Grandma Mary-Anne | 6 episodes |
| 2006 | 7th Heaven | Ms. Bessie Rusnak | Episode: "Love and Obsession" |
| 2007 | The Bill Engvall Show | Edda | 2 episodes |
| A Stranger's Heart | Aunt Cass | Television film | |
| 2008 | Cold Case | Annette Hicks | Episode: "Slipping" |
| The Office | Michael's mother (Voice role) | Episode: "Customer Survey" | |
| Shark Swarm | Bess Wilder | Television film | |
| 2008–2009 | The Young and the Restless | Pearl | 19 episodes |
| 2011 | Eagleheart | Esther | Episode: "Once in a Wattle" |
| 2012 | Castle | Jamie Isaacson | Episode: "Once Upon a Crime" |
| Mike & Molly | Francine | Episode: "The Rehearsal" | |
| 2013–2015 | Getting On | Varla Pounder | 3 episodes |
| 2013 | The Millers | Blanche | Episode: "Carol's Parents Are Coming to Town" |
| 2014 | Girls | Grandma Flo | Episode: "Flo" |
| Glee | Maggie Banks | Episode: "Old Dog, New Tricks" | |
| Devious Maids | Velma Mudge | 2 episodes | |
| 2015 | The Jack and Triumph Show | June Gregory | 7 episodes |
| 7 Days in Hell | Elizabeth II | Television film | |
| Axe Cop | June Esther (voice) | Episode: "The Ultimate Mate" | |
| Wander Over Yonder | Stella Starbella (voice) | Episode: "The Loose Screw" | |
| Mom | Dottie | Episode: "Terrorists and Gingerbread" | |
| Code Black | Dorothy | Episode: "Buen Árbol" | |
| 2016 | The Big Bang Theory | Constance, Sheldon's 'Meemaw' | Episode: "The Meemaw Materialization" |
| Shameless | Etta | 7 episodes | |
| Modern Family | Auntie Alice | 2 episodes | |
| Dream Corp, LLC | Nora | Episode: "The Smoking Nun" | |
| Clarence | Rosie Randell (voice) | Episode: "Cloris" | |
| 2017 | Bones | Barbara Baker | Episode: "The Final Chapter: The New Tricks in the Old Dogs" |
| Grey's Anatomy | Elsie Clatch | Episode: "Til I Hear It From You" | |
| I'm Sorry | Diane | Episode: "Pilot" | |
| 2018 | Living Biblically | Mrs. Mary Jean Murphy | Episode: "Pilot" |
| 2018–2019 | Good Girls | Marion Peterson | 7 episodes |
| 2019 | The Good Doctor | Ida Guelph | Episode: "Trampoline" |
| Room 104 | Jean | Episode: "Crossroads" | |
| 2020 | Solar Opposites | Ruth (voice) | Episode: "The Unstable Grey Hole" |
| Little Voice | Mrs. Esther Finch | 5 episodes | |
| 2020–2021 | The Fungies! | Granny Tullabett Grancie (voice) | 11 episodes |
| 2021 | No Activity | (voice) | Episode: "40 Days & 40 Nights" |
| 2021–2022 | Little Ellen | Gramsy (voice) | 18 episodes |
| 2022 | Life & Beth | Elena | Episode: "Pancakes" |
| Little America | Mrs. Danforth | Episode: "The Indoor Arm" | |
| 2024 | Velma | Older Woman (voice) | 2 episodes |
| American Horror Stories | Grams | Episode: "Leprechaun" | |
| 2025 | Haha, You Clowns | Dory, Ruth (voice) | Episode: "Movie Night" |
Theater
| Year | Title | Role | Venue | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1958 | The Boy Friend | Dulcie | Cherry Lane Theatre, Off-Broadway | [41] |
| 1959 | Lend an Ear | Ensemble | Renata Theatre, Off-Broadway | [42] |
| Gypsy | Electra (replacement) | Broadway Theatre, Broadway | [43] | |
| 1962 | No Shoestrings | Ensemble | Upstairs at the Downstairs, Off-Broadway | [42] |
| 1968 | The Happy Time | Felice Bonnard | Broadway Theatre, Broadway | [44] |
| 1976 | The Public Good | Ensemble | Playwrights Horizons, Off-Broadway | [45] |
| 1978 | Gorey Stories | Mary Rosemarsh | Booth Theatre, Broadway | [45] |
| 1995 | Sacrilege | Sister Joseph / Virgilia | Belasco Theatre, Broadway | [46] |
| 2011 | Dividing the Estate | Stella | Dallas Theater Center, Regional | [47] |
| 2018 | Waitress | Josie (replacement) | Brooks Atkinson Theatre, Broadway | [48] |
| 2025 | Marjorie Prime | Marjorie Prime | Helen Hayes Theater, Broadway | [49] |
Awards and nominations
See also
- List of oldest and youngest Academy Award winners and nominees
- List of actors with Academy Award nominations
References
- ^ "June Squibb Biography". Fandango
- ^ "Oldest Supporting Actress Winners". Oscars.org. Retrieved 3/6/2022.
- ^ "June Squibb Has Her First Lead Role at 94 — and Does Her Own Stunts Too: 'I Was So Proud of Myself' (Exclusive)". People
- ^ Fry, Naomi (January 29, 2024). "June Squibb: Film Actor by Her Sixties, Leading Woman by Her Nineties". The New Yorker
- ^ Eggenberger, Nicole (February 27, 2014). "June Squibb: 5 Things You Don't Know About the Nebraska Oscar Nominee". Us Weekly
- ^ Handler, Rachel (May 23, 2025). "Chatting With June Squibb at Cannes About Matzo-Ball Soup, Men, and Lying". Vulture
- ^ Pfefferman, Naomi (February 18, 2014). "June Squibb's just deserts: A Hollywood vet's Oscar debut". The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
- ^ Alexander, Neta (February 28, 2014). "The Oscar Nominee Who Puts Some Joy Into Bleak America". Haaretz
- ^ Bizio, Silvia (January 7, 2014). "June Squibb (Nebraska)". Golden Globe Awards
- ^ "SPOTLIGHT March 2024: JUNE SQUIBB, Kickass Actress and Stuntwoman". Alliance of Women Film Journalists. March 1, 2024.
- ^ Gaynor, Charles (September 30, 1959). "Theatre: Lend an Ear". The Village Voice. p. 12.
- ^ Blair, Jake (January 30, 2014). "Full Interview with June Squibb". Santa Barbara Independent. Retrieved March 2, 2025.
- ^ Hetrick, Adam (March 9, 2011). "June Squibb, Nance Williamson and Kurt Rhoads Will Be Dividing the Estate in Dallas". Playbill. Archived from the original on February 24, 2014. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
- ^ Patterson, John (February 27, 2014). "June Squibb: 84 years an actor". The Guardian
- ^ Bradshaw, Peter (December 5, 2013). "Nebraska – review". The Guardian
- ^ "June Squibb knows her 'Nebraska' character well". Los Angeles Times. November 16, 2013.
- ^ Lemire, Christy. "Nebraska movie review & film summary (2013)". Rogerebert.com
- ^ Travers, Peter (November 15, 2013). "Nebraska". Rolling Stone
- ^ "The 86th Academy Awards: 2014". Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. October 7, 2014. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
- ^ "Lupita Nyong'o winning Best Supporting Actress". March 11, 2014. – via www.youtube.com.
- ^ "Hall of Fame". Cleveland Play House. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
- ^ Kenny, Glenn. "I'll See You in My Dreams movie review (2015)". Rogerebert.com
- ^ Chang, Justin (January 28, 2015). "Sundance Film Review: 'I'll See You in My Dreams'". Variety
- ^ Abrams, Natalie. "'Big Bang Theory' casts June Squibb as Sheldon's meemaw". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved March 2, 2025.
- ^ Goldberg, Lesley (August 18, 2016). "'Shameless' Enlists June Squibb for Season 7". The Hollywood Reporter
- ^ Wagmeister, Elizabeth (March 1, 2017). "June Squibb and Hal Holbrook to Guest Star on 'Grey's Anatomy' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety
- ^ Franklin, Marc J. "Go Inside June Squibb's Return to Broadway in Waitress". Playbill. Retrieved March 2, 2025.
- ^ "Production Has Begun On New Disney+ Movie "Godmothered"". What’s On Disney Plus. Retrieved March 2, 2025.
- ^ "Thelma". Rotten Tomatoes
- ^ Horton, Adrian (January 24, 2024). "Thelma review – June Squibb is a delight in sweet action-comedy". The Guardian
- ^ Debruge, Peter (January 19, 2024). "'Thelma' Review: Lifelong Character Actor June Squibb Lands a Leading Role … in an Unlikely Action Movie". Variety
- ^ Rooney, David (January 19, 2024). "'Thelma' Review: June Squibb Takes Charge in Sweet, Spirited Action Movie for Seniors". The Hollywood Reporter
- ^ Abdulbaki, Mae (January 27, 2024). "Thelma Review: June Squibb Is Hilarious In Josh Margolin's Delightfully Irresistible Comedy". Screen Rant
- ^ McPherson, Chris (February 28, 2024). "'Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead' Remake Trailer Sets Up June Squibb's Untimely Demise". Collider
- ^ Rubin, Rebecca (February 23, 2024). "Scarlett Johansson's Directorial Debut 'Eleanor the Great' Sets Cast: June Squibb, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Jessica Hecht (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety
- ^ https://playbill.com/article/june-squibb-makes-history-as-oldest-tony-awards-acting-nominee-in-history
- ^ "June Squibb: Credits". TV Guide. Retrieved March 18, 2019.
- ^ N'Duka, Amanda (July 22, 2019). "Adam Sandler Sets Next Netflix Comedy With All-Star Cast Including Kevin James, Julie Bowen, Maya Rudolph & Many More". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 22, 2019.
- ^ Felperin, Leslie (October 11, 2020). "'Soul': Film Review | London 2020". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 11, 2020.
- ^ Rotten Tomatoes Trailers (2025-10-27). Zootopia 2 Exclusive Featurette - Tickets on Sale (2025). Retrieved 2025-10-27. – via YouTube.
- ^ "Gypsy (Broadway, 1959)". Playbill Vault. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
- ^ "Gypsy (Broadway, 1959)". Playbill Vault. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
- ^ "Gypsy (Broadway, 1959)". Playbill Vault. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
- ^ "The Happy Time (Broadway, 1968)". Playbill Vault. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
- ^ "Gorey Stories (Broadway, 1978)". Playbill Vault. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
- ^ "Sacrilege (Broadway, 1995)". Playbill Vault. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
- ^ Lusk, M. Lance (March 21, 2011). "Acting, Humor Drive Loving Interpretation of Dividing the Estate". D Magazine. Retrieved March 2, 2025.
- ^ "Waitress (Broadway, 2016)". Playbill Vault. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
- ^ "June Squibb, Cynthia Nixon to Star in 'Marjorie Prime' on Broadway". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 21, 2025.
- ^ "The 86th Academy Awards". Oscars.org. October 7, 2014. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
- ^ "Critics' Choice Awards: The Winners". The Hollywood Reporter. January 16, 2014. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
- ^ "2014 Spirit Awards: '12 Years A Slave', 'All Is Lost', 'Frances Ha', 'Inside Llewyn Davis' & 'Nebraska' Nab Best Feature Noms". Deadline Hollywood. November 26, 2013. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
- ^ "Golden Globe Awards Nominations: '12 Years A Slave' & 'American Hustle' Lead Pack (Full List)". Deadline Hollywood. December 12, 2013. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
- ^ "2014 SAG Awards: Winners and Nominees". Variety. January 18, 2014. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
- ^ Newcott, Bill. "2014 Movies for Grownups Awards". AARP: The Magazine. Retrieved March 2, 2025.
- ^ "2014 American Comedy Awards Nominations". NBC 10 Philadelphia News. March 6, 2014. Retrieved March 2, 2025.
- ^ "'12 Years,' 'Enough Said' Top Boston Critics Prizes". Variety. December 8, 2013. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
- ^ "'12 Years a Slave' Leads Chicago Critics Awards". IndieWire. December 17, 2013. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
- ^ Lodge, Guy (December 16, 2013). "'12 Years a Slave,' 'Gravity' tops with Dallas-Fort Worth critics". Uproxx. Retrieved March 2, 2025.
- ^ "Denver Film Critics Society 2014 Awards". May 13, 2024
- ^ "'Short Term 12′ Leads Detroit Film Critics' Awards". IndieWire. December 10, 2013. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
- ^ "2013 Awards". Georgia Film Critics Association. Retrieved March 2, 2025.
- ^ "'12 Years a Slave' leads with Houston film critics nominations". Uproxx. December 8, 2013. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
- ^ "Indiana film critics board the '12 Years' bandwagon". Uproxx. December 16, 2013. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
- ^ "2013 LA Film Critics: 'Gravity' & 'Her' Tie For Best Picture (Winners List)". Deadline Hollywood. December 8, 2013. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
- ^ "London Critics' Circle Film Awards Go to '12 Years a Slave,' Blanchett, Ejiofor and More (FULL WINNERS LIST)". IndieWire]. February 3, 2014. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
- ^ "New York Film Critics Circle Awards 2013". IMDb. Retrieved May 13, 2024.[better source needed]
- ^ "Phoenix Film Critics Society 2014 nominations". IMDb. Retrieved May 13, 2024.[better source needed]
- ^ "'12 Years a Slave' leads San Francisco Film Critics Circle nods". Uproxx. December 13, 2013. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
- ^ "'12 Years a Slave' Tops Satellite Award Nominations". Yahoo News. December 2, 2013. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
- ^ "Santa Barbara Film Fest: Michael B. Jordan, Brie Larson, Jared Leto and June Squibb Feted". The Hollywood Reporter. February 5, 2014. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
- ^ "Seattle Film Critics Awards 2013 Awards". IMDB. Retrieved May 13, 2024.[better source needed]
- ^ "St. Louis Film Critics Association 2013 Awards". IMDb. Retrieved May 13, 2024.[better source needed]
- ^ "Toronto Film Critics Association Awards 2013 Awards". IMDb. Retrieved May 13, 2024.[better source needed]
- ^ "Vancouver Film Critics Circle 2014 Awards". IMDb. Retrieved May 13, 2024.[better source needed]
- ^ "Washington DC Area Film Critics Association Awards 2013". IMDb. Retrieved May 13, 2024.[better source needed]
- ^ "Online Film & Television Association 2014 Awards". IMDb. Retrieved May 13, 2024.[better source needed]
- ^ "AwardsWatch - 2024 San Diego Film Critics Society Nominations". AwardsWatch. 2024-12-07. Retrieved 2024-12-08.
- ^ Appelo, Tim (November 20, 2024). "2025 Movies for Grownup Awards Nominees". AARP. Retrieved March 2, 2025.
- ^ "2024 Nominees". International Press Academy. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
- ^ Hipes, Patrick (2024-12-05). "'Dune: Part Two', 'Fallout' Lead Saturn Awards Nominations". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 2024-12-08.
- ^ Lang, Brent & Moreau, Jordan (December 4, 2024). "Spirit Awards 2025 Nominations: 'Anora' and 'I Saw the TV Glow' Lead Film Categories, 'Shōgun' Rules TV". Variety. Retrieved December 5, 2024.
- ^ "The 2024 EDA Award Nominees". Alliance of Women Film Journalists. 2024-12-13. Retrieved 2024-12-13.
- ^ "Children's & Family Emmy Nominations Revealed – Full List". theemmys.tv. November 18, 2025. Retrieved November 19, 2025.
- ^ Hammond, Pete (2025-11-19). "‘One Battle After Another’, ‘Hamnet’, ‘A House Of Dynamite’ Among AARP’s Movies For Grownups Best Picture Nominees". Deadline. Retrieved 2025-12-20.
- ^ Culwell-Block, Logan (2026-04-29). "Beau, Mexodus Lead 2026 Drama Desk Award Nominations; Read the Full List Here". Playbill. Retrieved 2026-04-30.