Celia Weston (born Celia Watson; December 14, 1951) is an American character actress. Weston received an Independent Spirit Award nomination for her performance in Dead Man Walking (1995), and also had supporting roles in more than 40 movies, including The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999), In the Bedroom (2001), Hulk (2003), How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003), and The Village (2004). On television, she is best known for her role as Jolene Hunnicutt in the CBS sitcom Alice (1981–1985).
Early years Weston was born in Spartanburg, South Carolina on December 14, 1951. See also: She was born Celia Watson, but changed her professional name to Weston because a British actress was already using Celia Watson professionally. She attended high school at the Spartanburg Day School, graduating in 1966. She is a graduate of Salem College in Winston-Salem, North Carolina and the University of North Carolina School of the Arts.
Career Weston began her career on stage, making her Broadway debut in 1979. After a recurring role on the ABC daytime soap opera Ryan's Hope, she joined the cast of the CBS sitcom Alice as Jolene Hunnicutt until the series ended in 1985. She's the only surviving cast member. Weston later said that her role in Alice hindered her film career. Although she had initially rejected the role, she admitted that "the money became so phenomenal that I just had to do it." In later years, Weston acted in independent films and stage productions. She was nominated for the Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Female for her role as Mary Beth Percy in the 1995 crime drama film, Dead Man Walking opposite Susan Sarandon. She also received a Tony Award nomination for her performance in the comedy The Last Night of Ballyhoo (1997).
Weston has had many supporting roles in films throughout her career. In the 2000s she had guest starring roles on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Frasier and Desperate Housewives. From 2010 to 2011 she co-starred alongside Jason Lee and Alfre Woodard in the TNT comedy-drama, Memphis Beat. She later had recurring roles on Modern Family, as Cameron Tucker's mother, and American Horror Story: Freak Show.
Filmography
Film Year Title Role Notes 1981 Honky Tonk Freeway Grace 1989 Lost Angels Felicia Doolan Marks 1991 Little Man Tate Miss Nimvel 1995 Dead Man Walking Mary Beth Percy Nominated—Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Female 1995 Unstrung Heroes Amelia 1996 Flirting with Disaster Valerie Swaney 1998 Celebrity Dee Bartholemew 1999 The Talented Mr. Ripley Aunt Joan Snow Falling on Cedars Etta Heine Ride with the Devil Mrs. Clark Getting to Know You Bottle Lady 2000 Hanging Up Madge Turner 2001 K-PAX Doris Archer Hearts in Atlantis Alana Files In the Bedroom Katie Grinnel Nominated—Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture 2002 Far from Heaven Mona Lauder Igby Goes Down Bunny 2003 Runaway Jury Mrs. Brandt Hulk Mrs. Krensler How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days Glenda 2004 The Village Vivian Percy Resurrection Mother Short film 2005 Junebug Peg 2007 No Reservations Mrs. Peterson The Invasion Mrs. Belicec Joshua Hazel Cairn 2009 After.Life Beatrice Taylor The Box Lana Burns Observe and Report Mom 2010 The Extra Man Meredith Lagerfeld Knight and Day Molly Knight Happy Tears Neighbor 2011 Demoted Jane 2014 Goodbye to All That Joan Adult Beginners Joy 2015 The Intern Doris 2016 The Disappointments Room Marti Morrinson In the Radiant City Susan Yurley 2017 Freak Show Florence 2019 Poms Vicki 2020 Adam Arlene The Secret: Dare to Dream Bobby 2023 A Little Prayer Venida 2025 You're Cordially Invited Flora
Television Year Title Role Notes 1980 Ryan's Hope Gloria D'Angelo 2 episodes 1981–1985 Alice Jolene Hunnicut 90 episodes 1999 ER Nurse Practitioner Episode: "Middle of Nowhere" 2001 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Margaret Talmadge Episode: "Stolen" 2003 Out of Order Carrie 6 episodes 2004 Frasier Sue Episode: "The Detour" 2005 Law & Order: Criminal Intent Joanne Dexler Episode: "Beast" 2008 Desperate Housewives Adele Delfino Episode: "Mother Said" 2010–2011 Memphis Beat Paula Ann Hendricks 16 episodes 2010–2016 Modern Family Barbara Tucker 5 episodes 2013 Under The Dome Mrs. Moore Episode: "Outbreak" 2014 Psych Mrs. Trout Episode: "S.E.I.Z.E. the Day" 2014–2015 American Horror Story: Freak Show Lillian Hemmings 5 episodes 2016 Vice Principals Mrs. Libby 2 episodes The Blacklist Lady Ambrosia Episode: "Lady Ambrosia (No. 77)" 2020 Hunters Dottie 4 episodes Bless This Mess Dolores 2 episodes 2022 The Thing About Pam Shirley Neumann 2 episodes Echoes Georgia Taylor 4 episodes 2025 - 2026 Leanne Mama Margaret main role; 11+ episodes
Theatre Year Title Role Notes 1979–1980 Loose Ends Maraya 1980 The Lady from Dubuque Lucinda 1995 Garden District Mrs. Holly 1996 Summer and Smoke Mrs. Bassett 1997–1998 The Last Night of Ballyhoo Reba Freitag Nominated—Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a PlayNominated—Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play 2000 True West Mom 2017 Marvin's Room Aunt Ruth
References
External links
Celia Weston biography, as part of "Alice" cast member