Margaret Elizabeth "Libby" Villari (née Webb; born November 17, 1951) is an American actress. She is best known for her recurring role as Mayor Lucy Rodell on ''
Friday Night Lights''. Her film appearances include ''
Boyhood'', ''
Infamous'', ''
What's Eating Gilbert Grape'', ''
Boys Don't Cry'', and ''
The Faculty''.
Personal life
Born Margaret Elizabeth Webb in North Carolina, she grew up in California, later moving to Texas. Her mother was Peggy Lee (née Walters; 1931–2004) and her father was Roy Frank Webb (1924–1973). She graduated from
University of North Texas with a B.A in Theatre. An active performer in the Texas theatre community, she often acts in productions that film in Texas. She is a breast cancer survivor. She has a son named Lyn William Villari and 2 grandchildren.
Career
Villari made her television debut in the 1985 television movie ''Stormin' Home'' and followed this with ''Adam: His Song Continues'' and the Emmy-nominated television film ''Little Girl List'' with
Tess Harper. In 1986 she played Mrs. Pritchard in ''
Bonnie & Clyde: The True Story''. She made her film debut in 1993 as Camille McCloud in ''
My Boyfriend's Back'', also (
Matthew McConaughey's first film). She next appeared in ''
Flesh and Bone'', as a reporter in
Clint Eastwood
Clinton Eastwood Jr. (born May 31, 1930) is an American actor and film director. After achieving success in the Western TV series '' Rawhide'', he rose to international fame with his role as the "Man with No Name" in Sergio Leone's "''Doll ...
's ''
A Perfect World'', and in the 1994 television film ''
Without Consent''.
In 1995, she appeared in ''
The Big Green'' and in 1996 in ''
Children of the Corn IV: The Gathering'' and ''
The Whole Wide World'' as the mother of
Renée Zellweger. She has also appeared on the series ''
Walker, Texas Ranger'' and in
Robert Altman
Robert Bernard Altman ( ; February 20, 1925 – November 20, 2006) was an American film director, screenwriter, and producer. He was a five-time nominee of the Academy Award for Best Director and is considered an enduring figure from the New H ...
's ''
Dr. T & the Women''.
In 2014, Villari's film ''
Boyhood'' by
Richard Linklater
Richard Stuart Linklater (; born July 30, 1960) is an American film director, producer, and screenwriter. He is known for films that revolve mainly around suburban culture and the effects of the passage of time. His films include the comedies '' ...
opened at the Sundance Film Festival. She plays the mother of
Patricia Arquette's character in the film. It was nominated for 6 Oscars including
Best Picture at the
87th Academy Awards.
On stage she has acted in several productions with the Stage West Theatre Company, including her breakout role as
Honey Bruce
Honey Bruce Friedman (born Harriett Jolliff; August 15, 1927 – September 12, 2005), also known by her professional name Honey Harlow, was an American stripper and showgirl who was married to stand-up comedian Lenny Bruce.
In 1976 she r ...
in ''
Lenny'', and with the Hip Pocket Theatre, including ''Widows'' by
Ariel Dorfman.
Since 2017 she has toured regional theaters around the country portraying former Texas governor Ann Richards in the one-woman play ''ANN'' by
Holland Taylor.
Villari is also an acting coach and works with children's literacy programs.
Filmography
Film
Television
References
External links
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Villari, Libby
Living people
American film actresses
American television actresses
1951 births
Actresses from North Carolina
Actresses from Texas
University of North Texas alumni
20th-century American actresses
21st-century American actresses
Actresses from California