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// Workers AI · dad joke modeWho's Laura Niemi? A Finnish name to know, but does she have a gnimi for fame?

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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Laura Niemi
Born
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
EducationBeverly Hills High School
Occupations
  • Actress
  • producer
  • theatre director
Years active2002–present
Known forThis Is Us
SpouseAdam Gascoine (m. 2006)

Laura Niemi (/ˈniːmi/ NEE-mee) is an American actress, producer, and theatre director. She is best known for portraying Marilyn Pearson in the NBC drama series This Is Us (2017–2022).[1] She has also appeared in the television series The Patient, Grey's Anatomy, Stranger Things, Quantum Leap, 9-1-1: Lone Star, The Sex Lives of College Girls, Firefly, and Days of Our Lives. Her film credits include Lake Alice (2017), The Last Thing He Wanted (2020), and Those Who Wish Me Dead (2021).[2]

Early life and education

[edit]

Niemi was born in Los Angeles, California, to film producer Vicki Niemi. She was raised in Santa Monica and the San Fernando Valley and attended Beverly Hills High School.

During childhood, Niemi studied acting at the Academy of Performing Arts in Los Angeles. After relocating with her family to the East Coast, she studied piano at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York. She later returned to California, where she performed as a bass guitarist in Los Angeles-based bands before pursuing a career in acting.[3]

Career

[edit]

Niemi made her screen acting debut with a guest appearance in the television series Firefly in 2002. She subsequently appeared in guest and recurring roles in the television series Bones, Criminal Minds, Smith, Private Practice, The Mentalist, NCIS: Los Angeles, Justified, Rizzoli & Isles, Castle, Grey's Anatomy, 9-1-1: Lone Star, Stranger Things, Quantum Leap, The Sex Lives of College Girls, and Days of Our Lives.[2][4]

In addition to television, Niemi has appeared in the films The Pink Ladies (2003), Chastity Bites (2013), Jobs (2013), Lake Alice (2017), Hometown Hero (2017), The Divorce (2019), The Last Thing He Wanted (2020), and Those Who Wish Me Dead (2021).[2] She also appeared in the television films Annie Claus Is Coming to Town (2011) and 911 Nightmare (2015).[2]

From 2017 to 2022, Niemi portrayed Marilyn Pearson, the mother of Jack Pearson, in the NBC drama series This Is Us.[5][6][7] The recurring character appeared primarily in flashback sequences depicting Jack Pearson's childhood and family history.[8][9][10] During the series' final season, Niemi reprised the role in episodes depicting Marilyn Pearson's death.[11][12][13]

In 2022, Niemi portrayed Beth Strauss in the FX psychological drama miniseries The Patient, starring Steve Carell and Domhnall Gleeson.[14][15][16][17] Her character, the deceased wife of therapist Alan Strauss, appeared throughout the series in flashback sequences.[14][18][19][20] As the character is depicted as a cantor, Niemi performed the traditional Jewish songs Not by Might, Not by Power, Ma Yafeh Hayom, and Dodi Li, which were featured in the series.[19][21][22] Her performance was listed among the performers eligible for consideration in the Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or TV Movie category for the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards.[23]

That same year, she portrayed Mrs. Gracey, Eleven's teacher, in the fourth-season premiere of the Netflix science fiction series Stranger Things.[15][24] She also appeared in episodes of Grey's Anatomy and 9-1-1: Lone Star.

Alongside her screen work, Niemi has appeared in stage productions at the Geffen Playhouse, South Coast Repertory, and the Mark Taper Forum. In 2005, she portrayed R.C. in the Lost Angels Theatre Company's production of Tracy Letts' Bug, directed by Scott Cummins.[25][26][27]

In 2023, Niemi appeared in the world premiere of Greg Burdick's Accommodation at the Odyssey Theatre in Los Angeles.[28][29]

Niemi founded the Lost Angels Theatre Company and serves as its artistic director. In 2016, she co-founded the comedy group ShowFriends, which later entered into a production agreement with Funny or Die to produce comedy shorts. She also served as a producer on the series.

Awards and honors

[edit]

In 2005, Niemi received two Los Angeles Ovation Awards for the Lost Angels Theatre Company's production of Killer Joe, as a member of the ensemble cast and a producer.[30]

In 2018, she received an Honorable Mention for Best Actress at the Los Angeles Film Awards for her performance in the short film The Divorce.[31]

Filmography

[edit]

Film

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
2003 The Pink Ladies Summer
2011 Annie Claus Is Coming to Town Leanne Television film
2013 Chastity Bites Jillian
2013 Jobs Supporting role
2015 911 Nightmare Janet Television film
2017 Lake Alice Natalie Thomas
2017 Hometown Hero Gloria
2019 The Divorce Sally Short film[32]
2020 The Last Thing He Wanted Olivia
2021 Those Who Wish Me Dead Maggie
TBA Out of the Blue Sharon Short film; post-production
TBA Sloth Man Bespectacled Casting Director Short film; post-production
TBA Survival of the Fittest — Short film; pre-production

Television

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
2002 Firefly Woman Episode: "The Train Job"
2005 Bones Melissa Howes Episode
2005 Criminal Minds Guest role Episode
2006 Smith Guest role Episode
2007 Private Practice Betty Crawford Episode[33]
2007–2026 Days of Our Lives Evelyn Quarry / Dr. Phoebe Singer 4 episodes
2008 The Mentalist Mandy Schultz Episode[34]
2009 NCIS: Los Angeles Guest role Episode
2010 Justified Guest role Episode
2013 Rizzoli & Isles Dr. Carla Dalton Episode: "Cold as Ice"[35][36]
2013 Castle Guest role Episode
2016–2017 ShowFriends Network Executive / Principal / HR Person 8 episodes
2017–2022 This Is Us Marilyn Pearson[37] Recurring role (6 episodes)[15][12]
2018 Liza on Demand Amanda Episode
2019 TMI Hollywood Various / Host / Herself 3 episodes
2022 Grey's Anatomy Cynthia Episode
2022 9-1-1: Lone Star Mary-Lynne Episode
2022 Stranger Things Mrs. Gracey Episode: "Chapter One: The Hellfire Club"[15][24]
2022 The Patient Beth Strauss[38] Miniseries; 9 episodes[14][17]
2023 Quantum Leap Kathy Tanner Episode
2025 The Sex Lives of College Girls Amy Episode

As producer

[edit]
Year Title Credit Notes
2016–2017 ShowFriends Producer 8 episodes

Soundtrack

[edit]
Year Title Credit Notes
2022 The Patient Performer "Not by Might, Not by Power", "Ma Yafeh Hayom", and "Dodi Li" (3 episodes)

Podcasts

[edit]
Year Podcast Role Notes
2026 Where Working Actors Talk Guest 1 episode

References

[edit]
  1. ↑ Papadatos, Markos (2019-06-23). "Laura Niemi talks 'This Is Us,' Liev Schreiber and streaming". Digital Journal. Retrieved 2026-09-29.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Laura Niemi". www.rottentomatoes.com. Retrieved 2026-09-29.
  3. ↑ Poisuo, Pauli (2022-09-29). "How Laura Niemi's Personal History Factored Into Her Accepting Her Role On The Patient". Looper. Retrieved 2026-09-29.
  4. ↑ "Laura Niemi Credits". TVGuide.com. Retrieved 2026-09-29.
  5. ↑ "This Is Us' Laura Niemi on Her Return as Jack's Mom: 'I Knew Her Journey Was Going to Be Tough'". People.com. Archived from the original on 2025-07-26. Retrieved 2026-09-29.
  6. ↑ Cristi, A. A. (2017-01-13). "Actress Laura Niemi Gets Emotional on NBC Hit Series THIS IS US". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2026-09-29.
  7. ↑ Cadorniga, Callie (Carlos) (2022-01-26). "'This Is Us' Explores a Major Loss in Jack's Life — Who Plays His Mother in the Last Season?". Distractify. Retrieved 2026-09-29.
  8. ↑ Hutton, Robert (2022-09-02). "The Patient Cast & Character Guide". ScreenRant. Retrieved 2026-09-29.
  9. ↑ Foutch, Haleigh (2022-08-30). "'The Patient' Cast and Character Guide: Who's Who in Hulu's Serial Killer Drama?". TheWrap. Retrieved 2026-09-29.
  10. ↑ "Mother of Pearsons". Television Academy. Retrieved 2026-09-29.
  11. ↑ "Who Plays Jack's Mom On 'This Is Us'? Laura Niemi Drew From Her Own Life To Take On This Tough Role". Bustle. 2018-11-13. Retrieved 2026-09-29.
  12. 1 2 "This is Us season 6 episode 4 recap: Don't Let Me Keep You". Show Snob. 2022-01-28. Retrieved 2026-09-29.
  13. ↑ Crabtree, Erin (2022-01-26). "'This Is Us' Recap: Jack Reveals Why He Lost Touch With His Mom Before Her Death". Us Weekly. Retrieved 2026-09-29.
  14. 1 2 3 Darwish, Meaghan (2022-09-06). "'The Patient' Star Laura Niemi on Beth's Levity & Importance in Alan's Journey". TV Insider. Retrieved 2026-09-29.
  15. 1 2 3 4 Kevin (2022-05-29). "Exclusive Interview: Laura Niemi Talks This Is Us, Stranger Things Season 4, and More". Pop-Culturalist.com. Retrieved 2026-09-29.
  16. ↑ Major, Michael (2022-02-10). "David Alan Grier Joins FX's THE PATIENT". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2026-09-29.
  17. 1 2 Berman, Judy (2022-08-22). "Watch 'The Patient' for Steve Carell and Domhnall Gleeson". TIME. Retrieved 2026-09-29.
  18. ↑ "Column: Is 'The Patient' a full-blown allegory for the pandemic, or is it just me?". Los Angeles Times. 2022-08-31. Retrieved 2026-09-29.
  19. 1 2 Buchwald, Linda (2022-10-06). "Hulu's 'The Patient' gets at a dynamic rarely seen on TV: Orthodox-Reform tensions". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Retrieved 2026-09-29.
  20. ↑ Singh, Kulwant (2024-11-02). "7 Best Shows Like Apple TV+'s 'Before' To Watch If You Love the Series". CinemaBlind. Retrieved 2026-09-29.
  21. ↑ "Laura Niemi – The Patient". 2022-08-30. Retrieved 2026-09-29.
  22. ↑ Newcomb, Alec (2022-08-01). "Actors' Hidden Talents That Wound Up Playing A Huge Part In The Movie". Looper. Retrieved 2026-09-29.
  23. ↑ Davis, Clayton (2023-08-20). "Emmys: Supporting Actress (Limited) – Claire Danes, Camila Morrone and Maria Bello Have Support, But Will it Be Enough?". Variety. Retrieved 2026-09-29.
  24. 1 2 Barilla, Lucille (2022-06-28). "'Stranger Things': Laura Niemi Spills Mrs. Gracey 'Has a Soft Spot for Eleven'". Showbiz Cheat Sheet. Retrieved 2026-09-29.
  25. ↑ "Bitten by theater 'Bug'". Los Angeles Times. 2007-05-01. Retrieved 2026-09-29.
  26. ↑ Holder, Travis Michael (2007-05-11). "Bug Aa Coast Playhouse". Entertainment Today. Retrieved 2026-09-29.
  27. ↑ Verini, Bob (2007-04-30). "Bug". Variety. Retrieved 2026-09-29.
  28. ↑ "Sufe Bradshaw, Laura Niemi and Sandy Bainum". BroadwayWorld. 2023-06-18. Retrieved 2026-09-29.
  29. ↑ Kaan, Gil (2023-06-12). "Interview: Playwright Greg Burdick's Making His ACCOMMODATION on Teaching". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2026-09-29.
  30. ↑ Shirley, Don (2005-09-28). "Center Theatre Group leads in Ovation nods". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2026-09-29.
  31. ↑ "LAFA Winner 2018". LA Film Awards. Retrieved 2026-09-29.
  32. ↑ "Short Film Review: 'The Divorce' Shows You How Best To Deal With A Heartbreak!". Indie Shorts Mag. 2026-08-03. Retrieved 2026-09-29.
  33. ↑ Volledige Cast van Private Practice (Serie, 2007 - 2013) - MovieMeter.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 2026-09-29 – via www.moviemeter.nl.
  34. ↑ "Making sure you're not a bot!". www.csfd.sk. Retrieved 2026-09-29.
  35. ↑ Robbins, Caryn (2013-05-30). "Laura Niemi to Guest Star on Upcoming Season of TNT's RIZZOLI & ISLES". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2026-09-29.
  36. ↑ "Laura Niemi Guest Stars on TNT's RIZZOLI & ISLES, Beg. Tonight". BroadwayWorld.com. 2013-06-25. Retrieved 2026-09-29.
  37. ↑ Barilla, Lucille (2022-01-25). "'This Is Us' Star Laura Niemi Relates to Marilyn Pearson's 'Tough' Journey as Jack's Mom". Showbiz Cheat Sheet. Retrieved 2026-09-29.
  38. ↑ "Laura Niemi as Beth | The Patient on FX". FX. Archived from the original on 2026-03-05. Retrieved 2026-09-29.
[edit]
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