Beth Jean Riesgraf (born August 24, 1978)[1] is an American actress and television director. She is known for her portrayal of Parker on the TNT television series Leverage (2008–2012) and the revival Leverage: Redemption (2021–present), which streams on IMDb TV/Freevee.

Beth Riesgraf
Riesgraf at the 2010 San Diego Comic-Con
Born
Beth Jean Riesgraf

(1978-08-24) August 24, 1978 (age 46)
OccupationActress
Years active2001–present
PartnerJason Lee (2001–2007)
Children1

Early life and education

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Originally from Belle Plaine, Minnesota, Riesgraf graduated from Cimarron-Memorial High School in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1996.[2][3][4][5]

Career

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Riesgraf appeared with then-fiancé Jason Lee as the character Natalie Duckworth on the show My Name Is Earl in 2005 and 2007, and in Tim Hill's film Alvin and the Chipmunks as a mother in the supermarket in 2007. In 2008, she played the bride in the official music video for "Cath..." by Death Cab for Cutie.

From 2008 to 2012, she played the main role of Parker in the TNT series Leverage.[6] In 2015, Riesgraf starred in the USA Network series Complications, which follows a morally conflicted doctor's life;[7] the show lasted for one season. In September 2019, she was cast in a starring role in the Paramount Network drama series 68 Whiskey.[8]

Personal life

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Riesgraf was in a relationship with actor Jason Lee from 2001 to 2007 and the two were engaged to be married. With Lee, she had a son born in September 2003.[9]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
2002 Scorcher Krissy
2003 I Love Your Work Swoosh Photographer
2007 Alvin and the Chipmunks Mother in Store
2009 Nobody Edie
2015 Intruders Anna Rook
2017 In Search of Fellini Sylvia
2019 I Hate Kids Schyler

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
2001 Spin City Waitress Episode: "Trainstopping"
2001 Undressed Loretta Main role (season 4)
2005 How I Met Your Mother Works with Carlos Girl Episode: "Purple Giraffe"
2005 The Stereo Sound Agency Various Television film
2005, 2007 My Name Is Earl Natalie Duckworth Episodes: "Faked My Own Death," "Our 'Cops' Is On!"
2007 Insatiable N/A Unsold television pilot
2007 Big Shots James' Date Episode: "The Good, the Bad, and the Really Ugly"
2007 Without a Trace Kelly Schmidt Episode: "Run"
2008–2012 Leverage Parker Main role, 77 episodes
2011 NCIS Maxine / Max Destructo Episode: "Kill Screen"
2012–2013, 2017, 2020 Criminal Minds Dr. Maeve Donovan Recurring role, 6 episodes
2013 The Mentalist Kira Tinsley Episode: "The Red Tattoo"
2013 The Surgeon General Dr. Page Wyatt Television film
2014 Killer Women Jennifer Jennings Episode: "Some Men Need Killing"
2014 Perception Ashley Marcel Episode: "Cobra"
2014 Caper Alexia Web series
2015 Complications Samantha Ellison Main role
2015 The Librarians Lady of the Lake Episodes: "And the Cost of Education," "And the Final Curtain"
2018 SEAL Team Cindy Episode: "Getaway Day"
2019 Stranger Things Unnamed Woman Episodes: "Chapter Six: E Pluribus Unum," "Chapter Eight: The Battle of Starcourt"
2019 Lovestruck Isabelle Television film
2020 Legends of Tomorrow Kathy Meyers Episode: "Slay Anything"
2020 68 Whiskey Major Sonia Holloway Main role[8]
2021-present Leverage: Redemption Parker Main role, also director

Director

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Year Title Notes
2021–present Leverage: Redemption Episodes: "The Bucket Job," "The Great Train Job," "The Tournament Job", "The Turkish Prisoner Job"

Accolades

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Year Association Category Nominated work Result Ref(s)
2011 Saturn Awards Best Supporting Actress on Television Leverage Nominated [10]
2012 Saturn Awards Best Supporting Actress on Television Leverage Nominated [11]
2013 Saturn Awards Best Supporting Actress on Television Leverage Nominated [12]
2022 Saturn Awards Best Actress in a Streaming Television Series Leverage: Redemption Nominated [13]

References

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  1. ^ "Almanac". Dubuque Telegraph-Herald. August 24, 2023. p. A12. ProQuest 2856626410. Actor-comedian Dave Chappelle is 50. Actor James D'Arcy is 50. Actor Carmine Giovinazzo (jee-oh-vihn-AH'-zoh) is 50. Actor Alex O'Loughlin is 47. Actor Beth Riesgraf is 45. Actor Chad Michael Murray is 42. Singer Mika is 40. Actor Blake Berris is 39. Actor Rupert Grint ("Harry Potter" films) is 35. See also:
    • "This day in history: Today's birthdays". The Boston Globe. August 24, 2010. p. G15. ProQuest 746503091. Actor-comedian Dave Chappelle is 37. Actor Carmine Giovinazzo is 37. Actress Beth Riesgraf is 32. Actor Chad Michael Murray is 29. Christian rock musician Jeffrey Gilbert is 27. Singer Mika is 27. Actor Rupert Grint is 22.
  2. ^ "'Leverage' actress Riesgraf steals show". Las Vegas Review-Journal. July 12, 2009. Retrieved January 29, 2016.
  3. ^ Lawrence, Christopher (June 16, 2015). "Cimarron grad Riesgraf talks about new TV show 'Complications'". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved January 29, 2016.
  4. ^ "Beth Riesgraf talks about 'Leverage,' filming in Portland, and her 'adrenaline junkie' character". The Oregonian. August 18, 2012. Retrieved January 29, 2016.
  5. ^ Stern, Julian (October 22, 2011). "An Interview With Beth Riesgraf". Maxim. Retrieved January 29, 2016.
  6. ^ "TNT Orders 13 Episodes of Leverage". ComingSoon.net. February 13, 2008. Archived from the original on September 25, 2012. Retrieved July 1, 2008.
  7. ^ Ng, Philiana (November 22, 2013). "'Leverage's' Beth Riesgraf Joins USA's Matt Nix Pilot". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  8. ^ a b Petski, Denise (September 24, 2019). "'68 Whiskey': Derek Theler, Beth Riesgraf & Lamont Thompson Among Six Cast In Paramount Network Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 28, 2019.
  9. ^ Grossberg, Josh (October 10, 2003). "Jason Lee Plays Papa". E! Online. Retrieved July 1, 2010.
  10. ^ "2011 Saturn Award Nominations". Collider. Retrieved July 25, 2020.
  11. ^ "2012 Saturn Award Nominations". Collider. Retrieved July 25, 2020.
  12. ^ "2013 Saturn Award Nominations". Dread Central. Retrieved July 25, 2020.
  13. ^ Tinoco, Armando (August 12, 2022). "Saturn Awards Nominations: 'The Batman', 'Nightmare Alley', 'Spider-Man', 'Better Call Saul' Top List". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 22, 2022.
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