Angela Bettis is an American film and stage actress, film producer, and director best known for her lead roles in the 2002 TV adaptation of the
Stephen King novel Carrie, the title character in
May (2002), and in
Girl, Interrupted (1999).
In addition to her work in film, Bettis also starred in two Broadway productions: The Father in 1996 with
Frank Langella, and as Abigail Williams in a 2002 revival of
Arthur Miller's The Crucible alongside
Liam Neeson and
Laura Linney.
Her debut role was a lead in the romantic tragedy,
Storia di una capinera (1993), directed by
Franco Zeffirelli, at the age of 18. She later went on to star in a film called
The Last Best Sunday (1999), before supporting
Winona Ryder in Girl, Interrupted and Kim Basinger in
Bless the Child (2000).
In 2002, she starred as Abigail Williams in a production of The Crucible on Broadway alongside Laura Linney and Liam Neeson. Bettis is most famous for her work in independent horror films, and especially her working relationship with writer/director
Lucky McKee. Her title role in McKee's 2002 film May won her something of a cult following. Since then, she has appeared in McKee's
Masters of Horror (2005) episode, "Sick Girl", and provided a voice-over for his film
The Woods (2006). In 2006, their May roles reversed, when McKee acted for Bettis in her directorial debut,
Roman (2006), based on a McKee script. In 2011, she played a major role in McKee's adaptation of
Jack Ketchum's
The Woman (2011).
Bettis starred as Carrie White in
Carrie (2002), a made-for-TV remake of
Brian De Palma's 1976 classic, and headlined
Tobe Hooper's
Toolbox Murders (2004), an in-name-only remake of an obscure 1970s horror film. She also starred in the crime thriller
Scar (2007). She had a guest role on the TV show
Dexter (2006)'s fifth season as Emily Birch, the first victim of Jordan Chase.
The ABCs of Death(2012)
Roman(2006)
Circumcision(2025)as Ellie
The Weird Kidz(2022)as Duana
Ghosts of the Ozarks(2021)as Lucille
12 Hour Shift(2020)as Mandy
Our Little Secret(2017)as Toni
Legs(2015)
Blue Like You(2008)
When Is Tomorrow(2007)
Last Days of America(2005)
Lovindapocalypse 3(2003)
Love Rome(2004)
The Brothers Bloom(2008)
Wicked Lake(2008)
The Lost(2006)
The Circle(2005)
May(2002)
SXSW Flashback 2010(2010)as Self
De Palma(2015)as Carietta 'Carrie' White
