7 Essential Jamie Lee Curtis TV Shows: From Golden Globe Wins To Her Shocking Role In 'The Bear' And New Series 'Scarpetta'

Jamie Lee Curtis, an actress whose career spans five decades, has recently experienced a massive resurgence, not just in film with her Oscar win for *Everything Everywhere All at Once*, but also with a string of highly-acclaimed and anticipated television projects. As of December 2025, her television career is arguably more vibrant and relevant than ever, featuring a career-defining guest role in one of TV's most talked-about dramas and a major upcoming series where she serves as both a star and executive producer. This deep dive explores the complete television history of the original "Scream Queen," highlighting the fresh, recent, and upcoming shows that cement her status as a true Hollywood icon.

Her television work offers a fascinating counterpoint to her famous movie roles in *Halloween* and *True Lies*. While she is often celebrated for her cinematic achievements, her TV roles—ranging from groundbreaking sitcoms to satirical horror and visceral drama—have earned her multiple Golden Globe awards and nominations, proving her versatility across every genre and medium. The latest buzz centers on her high-profile return to series television, which is set to dominate the streaming landscape.

Jamie Lee Curtis: Complete Biography and Career Profile

Jamie Lee Curtis is an American actress, producer, author, and activist, known for her diverse career that successfully transitioned from horror to comedy and drama, earning her the title of Hollywood royalty.

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• Birth Name: Jamie Lee Curtis
• Date of Birth: November 22, 1958
• Place of Birth: Santa Monica, California, U.S.
• Parents: Tony Curtis (actor) and Janet Leigh (actress, famous for *Psycho*)
• Spouse: Christopher Guest (married 1984)
• Children: Annie Guest, Ruby Guest (two adopted children)
• Major Awards (Film & TV): Academy Award (Oscar) for Best Supporting Actress (*Everything Everywhere All at Once*), BAFTA Award, two Golden Globe Awards (one for TV, one for Film), and a Primetime Emmy Award nomination.
• Early Career: Began her professional career in television in 1977.
• Notable Entities: John Carpenter, Laurie Strode, Christopher Guest, Janet Leigh, Tony Curtis, *Halloween*, *True Lies*.

The Golden Age of TV Comedy: Her Award-Winning Sitcoms

While her film debut in *Halloween* (1978) made her an instant star, Jamie Lee Curtis quickly moved into television with a series of roles that showcased her sharp comedic timing and dramatic depth. Her early television career laid the groundwork for her eventual Golden Globe triumph.

Operation Petticoat (1977–1978)

Curtis’s first major series role was in the ABC sitcom *Operation Petticoat*, based on the 1959 film starring her father, Tony Curtis. She played Lieutenant Barbara Duran, a nurse stationed on a submarine during World War II. This role marked her transition from guest appearances (like her debut in *Quincy, M.E.* in 1977) to a regular cast member, demonstrating her early commitment to the television format.

Anything But Love (1989–1992)

This sitcom is perhaps the most significant television series of her early career. *Anything But Love* starred Curtis as Hannah Miller, a Chicago magazine writer, opposite Richard Lewis as her co-worker and love interest, Marty Gold. The show was a smart, witty romantic comedy that ran for four seasons. Curtis’s performance was critically acclaimed, leading to her first major TV award.

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• The Golden Globe Win: In 1990, Jamie Lee Curtis won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy for her role as Hannah Miller. This victory cemented her as a star capable of leading a successful broadcast series.
• Legacy: The show is also remembered for the powerful chemistry between Curtis and co-star Richard Lewis, a partnership that became a defining element of late 80s and early 90s television comedy.

The Modern Era: Satire, Drama, and High-Profile Guest Roles

After decades of dominating the film industry, Curtis returned to the small screen with a renewed vigor, embracing projects that were either highly satirical or deeply dramatic, showcasing the full range of her acting prowess.

Scream Queens (2015–2016)

Ryan Murphy's horror-comedy anthology series was a perfect vehicle for Curtis, allowing her to satirize her own "Scream Queen" legacy. She starred as Dean Cathy Munsch, the eccentric, ruthless, and highly suspicious dean of Wallace University, which is plagued by a serial killer known as the Red Devil.

Her performance was a masterclass in dark comedy, blending over-the-top camp with moments of genuine menace. The role earned her a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy, proving that her comedic and genre chops were sharper than ever.

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The Bear (2023)

Perhaps her most surprising and critically lauded recent television role was her guest appearance in the second season of the FX/Hulu hit, *The Bear*. Curtis appeared in the intense, flashback-heavy episode "Fishes" as Donna Berzatto, the volatile, manic, and alcoholic mother of the main character, Carmy (Jeremy Allen White). Her performance was a stunning, anxiety-inducing portrayal of a woman struggling with mental health and addiction during a chaotic family Christmas.

This single-episode performance was widely hailed as one of the best guest spots in television history, demonstrating her ability to bring profound, raw drama to a small screen role. It was a role that felt completely fresh and unexpected, garnering massive awards buzz and introducing her work to a new generation of prestige TV viewers.

The Future of Television: Jamie Lee Curtis’s Upcoming Series

Looking ahead, Jamie Lee Curtis is not just acting; she is shaping the future of television content through her production company, Comet Pictures. Her next major TV project is a highly anticipated adaptation of a best-selling crime novel series, where she takes on a dual role.

Scarpetta (Upcoming Prime Video Series)

The most current and exciting news in Curtis’s TV career is the upcoming Prime Video series *Scarpetta*, based on Patricia Cornwell's best-selling Dr. Kay Scarpetta novels. Curtis is both an executive producer and a star, working alongside fellow Academy Award winner Nicole Kidman, who plays the titular forensic pathologist, Dr. Kay Scarpetta.

In a major supporting role, Curtis will play Dorothy Farinelli, Dr. Scarpetta's older sister. The series will explore the fraught and complicated dynamic between the two sisters as Scarpetta pursues justice. This high-profile project, also starring Bobby Cannavale and Simon Baker, represents the pinnacle of modern streaming television and confirms Jamie Lee Curtis’s enduring relevance in the industry.

Other Notable TV Appearances and Miniseries

To fully appreciate the breadth of her television work, it is essential to consider the major TV movies and miniseries that earned her further critical attention:

• Death of a Centerfold: The Dorothy Stratten Story (1981): Curtis starred in this fact-based drama about the murder of Playboy model Dorothy Stratten.
• The Heidi Chronicles (1996): She earned her first Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Best Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie for her role in this adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize-winning play.
• Anything Else (2003): Curtis made a guest appearance in the final season of the popular sitcom *New Girl* (2012-2018) as Joan Day, the mother of main character Jess Day (Zooey Deschanel).

From the early days of *Operation Petticoat* to her iconic turn as Dean Munsch in *Scream Queens* and the emotionally devastating performance as Donna Berzatto in *The Bear*, Jamie Lee Curtis's television career is a testament to her versatility. Her upcoming role in *Scarpetta* ensures that her presence on the small screen will continue to captivate audiences for years to come.