Jenny O'Hara (born February 24, 1942)[1] is an American film, television, and stage actress.
She is best known for Dixie in My Sister Sam (1986–1988), Janet Heffernan in The King of Queens (2001–2007), and Nita in Big Love (2006–2009).
She later worked in movies such as Career Opportunities, A Mother's Prayer, Mystic River, Matchstick Men, Extract and Devil; was part of the ensemble cast for the first season of The Facts of Life and the entire run of My Sister Sam; and had guest roles on television series such as Kojak, Charlie's Angels, Quinn Martin's Tales of the Unexpected (also known in the United Kingdom as Twist in the Tale), Barnaby Jones, Barney Miller, Law & Order, The X-Files, Beverly Hills, 90210, NYPD Blue, ER, CHiPs, House M.D., Boston Legal, Reba, Six Feet Under, and Big Love.
On TV, O'Hara portrayed Ruth Manly on Black Beauty,[5] Lottie Murphy in Costello,[5]: 211 Rebecca in Highcliffe Manor,[5]: 460 Janet Heffernan in The King of Queens,[5]: 565-566 Muriel Spiegleman in Live In,[5]: 614 Dixie Randazzo in My Sister Sam,[5]: 735 and Lucy Dexter on Secrets of Midland Heights.
[8] O'Hara was married to August Dorr Watkins, an interior designer and former actor, from 1968 until their 1974 divorce.