# Pamela Reed

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American actress

For the ultrarunner, see [Pam Reed](/source/Pam_Reed).

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Pamela Reed Reed in 1977 Education University of Washington (BFA) Occupation Actress Years active 1976–present Spouse Sandy Smolan ​ (m. 1988)​ Children 2

**Pamela Reed** is an American actress. She is known for playing [Arnold Schwarzenegger](/source/Arnold_Schwarzenegger)'s police partner Phoebe O'Hara in the 1990 film *[Kindergarten Cop](/source/Kindergarten_Cop)* and portraying the [matriarch](/source/Matriarch) Gail Green in *[Jericho](/source/Jericho_(2006_TV_series))*. She appeared as [Marlene Griggs-Knope](/source/Marlene_Griggs-Knope) on the [NBC](/source/NBC) [sitcom](/source/Sitcom) *[Parks and Recreation](/source/Parks_and_Recreation)*, as well as the exasperated wife Alison Langley in *[Bean](/source/Bean_(film))*.

## Early life and education

Reed received her B.F.A. at the [University of Washington](/source/University_of_Washington).[1][2]

## Career

Reed earned a [Drama Desk Award](/source/Drama_Desk_Award) for the [off-Broadway](/source/Off-Broadway) play *Getting Out* and an [Obie Award](/source/Obie_Award) for "sustaining excellence in performance in theater". She was a regular in the cast of the 1977 [CBS](/source/Columbia_Broadcasting_System) drama *[The Andros Targets](/source/The_Andros_Targets)*. She had minor film and television work in the 1980s. She won a [CableAce Award](/source/CableAce_Award) for Best Actress for the HBO series *[Tanner '88](/source/Tanner_'88)* (1988). She also co-starred with Daryl Hannah in the film *[The Clan of the Cave Bear](/source/The_Clan_of_the_Cave_Bear_(film))* (1986).[3]

Her notable film roles include *[The Long Riders](/source/The_Long_Riders)* (1980), *[The Right Stuff](/source/The_Right_Stuff_(film))* (1983), *[The Best of Times](/source/The_Best_of_Times_(1986_film))* (1986), *[Kindergarten Cop](/source/Kindergarten_Cop)* (1990), *[Junior](/source/Junior_(1994_film))* (1994), *[Deadly Whispers](/source/Deadly_Whispers)* (1995), *[Bean](/source/Bean_(film))* (1997) and *[Proof of Life](/source/Proof_of_Life)* (2001).

Reed played Janice Pasetti in the quirky NBC sitcom *[Grand](/source/Grand_(TV_series))*,[4] and then played a judge and single mother in the short-lived NBC sitcom *[The Home Court](/source/The_Home_Court)*.[4] She has provided the voice for the character [Ruth Powers](/source/Ruth_Powers) in four episodes of the animated TV series *[The Simpsons](/source/The_Simpsons)* and guest-voiced in an episode of the 1994–1995 animated series *[The Critic](/source/The_Critic_(TV_series))*. She played a main role in *[Jericho](/source/Jericho_(2006_TV_series))*[4] and portrayed the mother of main character [Leslie Knope](/source/Leslie_Knope) ([Amy Poehler](/source/Amy_Poehler)) on *[Parks and Recreation](/source/Parks_and_Recreation)*.[4][5]

In 2005 Reed portrayed [executive producer](/source/Executive_producer) [Esther Shapiro](/source/Esther_Shapiro) in *[Dynasty: The Making of a Guilty Pleasure](/source/Dynasty%3A_The_Making_of_a_Guilty_Pleasure)*, a fictionalized television movie based on the creation and [behind-the-scenes](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/behind_the_scenes) production of the 1980s prime-time [soap opera](/source/Soap_opera) *[Dynasty](/source/Dynasty_(1981_TV_series))*.[4][6][7]

Reed has also worked for Storyline Online, reading *[Stellaluna](/source/Stellaluna)*.

## Personal life

Reed met [Sandy Smolan](/source/Sandy_Smolan) when he directed her in *[Rachel River](/source/Rachel_River)*. They married in 1988 and have two adopted children, Reed and Lily.[8]

## Filmography

### Film

Year Title Role Ref Notes 1980 The Long Riders Belle Starr [9] Melvin and Howard Bonnie Dummar [10] 1981 Eyewitness Linda Mercer [11] 1982 Young Doctors in Love Nurse Norine Sprockett [12] 1983 The Right Stuff Trudy Cooper [13] 1984 The Goodbye People Nancie Scot 1986 The Clan of the Cave Bear Iza The Best of Times Gigi Hightower [14] 1987 Rachel River Mary Graving 1989 Chattahoochee Earlene [15] 1990 Redlands Maude Video short Cadillac Man Tina [16] Kindergarten Cop LAPD Detective Phoebe O'Hara [17] 1992 Passed Away Terry Scanlan Pinter Bob Roberts Carol Cruise 1994 Junior Angela 1997 Santa Fe Nancy Vigil Bean Alison Langley 1998 Why Do Fools Fall in Love Judge Lambrey 1999 Standing on Fishes Janice 2000 Proof of Life Janis Goodman 2005 Life of the Party Evelyn 2016 Savannah Sunrise Loraine The Architect Coln's Mother 2017 Outside In Aunt Bette 2018 The Long Dumb Road Dotty 2020 Language Arts Sister Giorgia 2023 The Burial Annette O'Keefe

### Television

Year Title Role Notes 1976 Spencer's Pilots Susan Episode: "The Hitchhiker" 1977 The Andros Targets Sandi Farrell Main role 1978 All's Well That Ends Well Helena TV film 1981 Inmates: A Love Story Sunny 1983 The Mississippi Paige Episode: "Beyond a Reasonable Doubt" I Want to Live Edie Bannister TV film Heart of Steel Valerie 1985 Scandal Sheet Helen Grant 1988 Hemingway Mary Welsh TV miniseries Tanner '88 T.J. Cavanaugh L.A. Law Norma Heisler Episode: "Romancing the Drone" 1990 Grand Janice Pasetti Main role Caroline? Grace Carmichael TV film The Civil War Various (voice) TV miniseries documentary 1992 Woman with a Past Dee Johnson TV film 1992–1993, 2003, 2021 The Simpsons Ruth Powers (voice) Episodes: "New Kid on the Block", "Marge on the Lam", "The Strong Arms of the Ma", "The Wayz We Were" 1993 Born Too Soon Elizabeth Mehren TV film Family Album Denise Lerner TV miniseries 1994 The Critic Projectionist Season 1, Episode 4 1995 Deadly Whispers Carol Acton TV film Buford's Got a Gun Laurie 1995–96 The Home Court Judge Sydney J. Solomon Main role 1996 The Man Next Door Wanda Gilmore TV film Critical Choices Arlene 1998 Carriers Holly Parker 2001 The Kennedys Pamela Kennedy 2003 Book of Days Grady Judging Amy Sarah Episode: "Shock and Awe" 2004 Tanner on Tanner T.J. Cavanaugh TV miniseries JAG Major General Willsey Episode: "Whole New Ball Game" 2005 Dynasty: The Making of a Guilty Pleasure Esther Shapiro TV film Jane Doe: Now You See It, Now You Don't Fran Henkel 2006 Pepper Dennis Lynn Dinkle Recurring role 2006–08 Jericho Gail Green Regular role 2008 Eli Stone Mrs. Stone Episode: "Pilot", "Heartbeat" 2009 The Beast Asst. Dir. Ida Paulson Episode: "Counterfeit", "No Turning Back" 2009–11 United States of Tara Beverly Craine 2009–12 Parks and Recreation Marlene Griggs-Knope 2010 Proposition 8 Trial Re-Enactment Dr. M. V. Lee Badgett TV series documentary Grey's Anatomy Mrs. Banks Episode: "Valentine's Day Massacre" 2011–12 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Donna Hoppe Episode: "Genetic Disorder", "Risky Business Class" 2012 Perception Mrs. Penderhalt Episode: "86'd" 2014 Criminal Minds Mary Bidwell Episode: "Boxed In" 2015–2023 NCIS: Los Angeles Roberta Deeks Recurring role

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-reedtighe_1-0)** Berson, Misha (May 31, 2013). ["Pamela Reed, Kevin Tighe at home in ACT production"](http://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/pamela-reed-kevin-tighe-at-home-in-act-production/). *[The Seattle Times](/source/The_Seattle_Times)*. Retrieved July 21, 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Pamela Reed | School of Drama | University of Washington"](https://drama.washington.edu/people/pamela-reed). *drama.washington.edu*. Retrieved 2020-05-21.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** [Maslin, Janet](/source/Janet_Maslin) (1986-01-17). ["'Clan Of The Cave Bear'"](https://www.nytimes.com/1986/01/17/movies/screen-clan-of-the-cave-bear.html). *[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times)*.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-TVGuide_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-TVGuide_4-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-TVGuide_4-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-TVGuide_4-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-TVGuide_4-4) ["Pamela Reed"](https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/pamela-reed/credits/168821/). *[TVGuide.com](/source/TVGuide.com)*. Retrieved February 10, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Phipps, Keith (April 16, 2009). ["Parks And Recreation: "Canvassing""](https://www.avclub.com/parks-and-recreation-canvassing-1798206077). *[The A.V. Club](/source/The_A.V._Club)*. Retrieved March 12, 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-NYT_2005-01_6-0)** [Heffernan, Virginia](/source/Virginia_Heffernan) (January 1, 2005). ["*Dynasty: The Making of a Guilty Pleasure*: If You've Got It, Flaunt It: ABC Trumpets an 80's Hit"](https://tv.nytimes.com/2005/01/01/arts/television/01heff.html). *[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times)*. Retrieved February 26, 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["*Dynasty: The Making of a Guilty Pleasure*: Credits"](http://www.der-denver-clan.de/de/dynasty_behind.207.html). Der-denver-clan.de. Retrieved February 27, 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Pamela Reed"](http://jericho.wetpaint.com/page/Pamela+Reed?t=anon). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20110718034916/http://jericho.wetpaint.com/page/Pamela+Reed?t=anon) from the original on July 18, 2011. Retrieved March 27, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** [Maslin, Janet](/source/Janet_Maslin) (1980-05-16). ["Film: 'The Long Riders,' With Gangs of the West:Oh Brothers!"](https://www.nytimes.com/1980/05/16/archives/film-the-long-riders-with-gangs-of-the-westoh-brothers.html). *The New York Times*. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0362-4331](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0362-4331). Retrieved 2020-05-21.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** [Ebert, Roger](/source/Roger_Ebert). ["Melvin and Howard movie review (1981)"](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/melvin-and-howard-1981). *rogerebert.com*. Retrieved 2020-05-21.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** [Canby, Vincent](/source/Vincent_Canby) (1981-02-27). ["William Hurt in 'Eyewitness'"](https://www.nytimes.com/1981/02/27/movies/william-hurt-in-eyewitness.html). *The New York Times*. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0362-4331](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0362-4331). Retrieved 2020-05-21.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** [Maslin, Janet](/source/Janet_Maslin) (1982-07-17). ["'Young Doctors in Love'"](https://www.nytimes.com/1982/07/17/movies/young-doctors-in-love.html). *The New York Times*. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0362-4331](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0362-4331). Retrieved 2020-05-21.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** [Ebert, Roger](/source/Roger_Ebert). ["The Right Stuff movie review & film summary (1983)"](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-right-stuff-1983). *rogerebert.com*. Retrieved 2020-05-21.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** [Goodman, Walter](/source/Walter_Goodman_(critic)) (1986-01-31). ["Film: 'Best of Times,' Football Story"](https://www.nytimes.com/1986/01/31/movies/film-best-of-times-football-story.html). *The New York Times*. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0362-4331](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0362-4331). Retrieved 2020-05-21.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** [Maslin, Janet](/source/Janet_Maslin) (1990-04-20). ["Review/Film; True-Life Drama of Mental Hospital"](https://www.nytimes.com/1990/04/20/movies/review-film-true-life-drama-of-mental-hospital.html). *The New York Times*. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0362-4331](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0362-4331). Retrieved 2020-05-22.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** [Canby, Vincent](/source/Vincent_Canby) (1990-05-18). ["Review/Film; Robin Williams as Cad In 'Cadillac Man'"](https://www.nytimes.com/1990/05/18/movies/review-film-robin-williams-as-cad-in-cadillac-man.html). *The New York Times*. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0362-4331](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0362-4331). Retrieved 2020-05-22.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** [James, Caryn](/source/Caryn_James) (1990-12-21). ["Review/Film; A School for Scandal, but a Scandal of a Different Sort"](https://www.nytimes.com/1990/12/21/movies/review-film-a-school-for-scandal-but-a-scandal-of-a-different-sort.html). *The New York Times*. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0362-4331](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0362-4331). Retrieved 2020-05-22.

## External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Pamela Reed](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Pamela_Reed).

- [Pamela Reed](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0715622/) at [IMDb](/source/IMDb_(identifier))

v t e Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play 1975–2000 Frances Sternhagen (1975) Rachel Roberts (1976) Rosemary De Angelis (1977) Eileen Atkins (1978) Pamela Reed (1979) Lois de Banzie (1980) Swoosie Kurtz (1981) Amanda Plummer (1982) Judith Ivey (1983) Christine Baranski (1984) Judith Ivey (1985) Joanna Gleason (1986) Mary Alice (1987) Christine Estabrook (1988) Tovah Feldshuh (1989) Frances Conroy (1990) Irene Worth (1991) Christine Baranski (1992) Madeline Kahn (1993) Jane Adams (1994) Tara Fitzgerald (1995) Elaine Stritch (1996) Dana Ivey (1997) Allison Janney (1998) Anna Friel (1999) Marylouise Burke (2000) 2001–2022 Viola Davis (2001) Katie Finneran (2002) Lynn Redgrave (2003) Audra McDonald (2004) Adriane Lenox (2005) Frances de la Tour (2006) Martha Plimpton (2007) Linda Lavin (2008) Angela Lansbury (2009) Viola Davis (2010) Edie Falco (2011) Judith Light (2012) Judith Light (2013) Celia Keenan-Bolger (2014) Annaleigh Ashford (2015) Saycon Sengbloh (2016) Cynthia Nixon (2017) Jamie Brewer (2018) Celia Keenan-Bolger (2019) Lois Smith (2020) No Award (2021) Francis Benhamou (2022) See also: Outstanding Featured Performance in a Play (2023-present)

Authority control databases International ISNI VIAF GND FAST WorldCat National United States France BnF data Czech Republic Spain Netherlands Poland Israel People Trove Other IdRef SNAC Yale LUX

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Pamela Reed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pamela_Reed) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pamela_Reed?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.