Embeth Davidtz
Embeth Jean Davidtz (born August 11, 1965) is an American-born South African actress and director. She has appeared in movies such as Schindler's List, Matilda, Bridget Jones's Diary, and The Amazing Spider-Man, and in the television series In Treatment, Californication, and Mad Men.
In 2024 Davidtz made her directorial debut with Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight, an adaptation of the best-selling memoir of the same name by Alexandra Fuller about growing up on a farm in Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe. The film had its Canadian premiere at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). Davidtz was born on August 11, 1965, in Lafayette, Indiana, to South African parents John and Jean, while her father was studying chemical engineering at Purdue University. The family later moved to Trenton, New Jersey, and then to South Africa when Davidtz was nine years old
Davidtz has Dutch, English, and French ancestry. She had to learn Afrikaans before attending school classes in South Africa, where her father took up a teaching post at Potchefstroom University. Davidtz graduated from The Glen High School in Pretoria in 1983 and studied at Rhodes University in Grahamstown.
In 1992, Davidtz played the part of Sheila in Sam Raimi's Army of Darkness alongside Bruce Campbell as Ash Williams. The third movie in the Evil Dead franchise would eventually become a big cult classic worldwide. In 1993, Davidtz played the role of Helen Hirsch in Steven Spielberg's Schindler's List.
In 1995, Davidtz had a central role in the fact-based film Murder in the First, and the Merchant Ivory Productions Feast of July.
Known For










Credits
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The Venery of Samantha Bird FutureCarol Minot★ NR
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Nicola Fuller★ NR
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Retribution 2023Heather Turner★ 6.6
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Amanda★ 7.1
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Not Okay 2022Judith★ 6.3
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Old 2021Adult Maddox★ 6.3
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Love, Victor 2020Mrs. Campbell★ 8.6
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The Morning Show 2019Paige Jacobs★ 7.8
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Natasha Lytess★ 6.7
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Self★ NR
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Mary Parker★ 6.5
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Paranoia 2013Judith Bolton★ 5.7
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Ray Donovan 2013Sonia Kovitzky★ 7.5
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Europa Report 2013Dr. Samantha Unger★ 6.3
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Self★ 8.5
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Mary Parker★ 6.7
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Annika Blomkvist Giannini★ 7.4
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3 Backyards 2010The Actress★ 4.2
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Winged Creatures 2009Lydia Jaspersen★ 5.9
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In Treatment 2008Amy★ 7.6
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Californication 2007Felicia Koons★ 7.6
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Mad Men 2007Rebecca Pryce★ 8.1
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Fracture 2007Jennifer Crawford★ 7.3
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Junebug 2005Madeleine★ 6.6
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Herself★ 1
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Self★ 5.5
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Grey's Anatomy 2005Nancy Shepherd (uncredited)★ 8.2
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The Emperor's Club 2002Elizabeth★ 7.1
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Shackleton 2002Rosalind Chetwynd★ 7.1
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Thir13en Ghosts 2001Kalina Oretzia★ 6.3
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Scrubs 2001Maddie★ 8
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Citizen Baines 2001Ellen Baines Croland★ NR
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The Hole 2001Dr. Philippa Horwood★ 6.2
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Natasha★ 6.7
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Bicentennial Man 1999Little Miss / Portia★ 7.3
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Mansfield Park 1999Mary Crawford★ 6.7
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Last Rites 1999Dr. Lauren Riggs★ 5.8
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Simon Magus 1999Leah★ 7.3
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The Gingerbread Man 1998Mallory Doss★ 5.6
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Fallen 1998Gretta Milano★ 6.8
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Adriana★ NR
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Matilda 1996Miss Honey★ 7.2
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Feast of July 1995Bella Ford★ 5.9
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Murder in the First 1995Mary McCasslin★ 7.2
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Schindler's List 1993Helen Hirsch★ 8.6
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Deadly Matrimony 1992Dianne Masters★ 4.4
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Army of Darkness 1992Sheila★ 7.3
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Katherine Palliko★ 6.7
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Nag van die 19de 1991Tessa van Dyk★ NR
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Sweet Murder 1990★ 3.3
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A Private Life 1989Older Karen★ NR
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Mutator 1989Jennifer★ 3.3