Quick Facts
Biography
Beth Jean Riesgraf (born August 24, 1978) is an American actress. She is known for her portrayal of Parker on the TNT television series Leverage (2008–12).
Early life and education
Originally from Minnesota, Riesgraf graduated from Cimarron-Memorial High School in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1996.
Career
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 Alvin and The Chipmunks as a mother in the supermarket in 2007. In 2008, she played the unnamed bride (presumed to be Catherine) 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. In 2015, Riesgraf starred in the USA Network series Complications, which follows a morally conflicted doctor's life. The show lasted for one season.
Personal life
Riesgraf was in a relationship with Jason Lee from 2001 to 2007 and the two were engaged to be married. With Lee, she had her first child at age 25, a son named Pilot Inspektor Riesgraf-Lee, on September 28, 2003.
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | The Summer of My Deflowering | Megan David | Short film |
| 2002 | Scorcher | Krissy | |
| 2003 | I Love Your Work | Swoosh Photographer | |
| 2007 | Alvin and the Chipmunks | Mother in Store | |
| 2008 | Struck | Amber | Short film |
| 2009 | Nobody | Edie | |
| 2011 | A Standard Story | Short; also director and writer | |
| 2013 | Let's Be Civil Kenneth! | Marjorie | Short film |
| 2015 | Shut In | Anna |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Undressed | Loretta | Unknown episodes |
| 2001 | Spin City | Waitress | Episode: "Trainstopping" |
| 2005 | The Stereo Sound Agency | Various | Movie |
| 2005 | How I Met Your Mother | Works With Carlos Girl | Episode: "Purple Giraffe" |
| 2005 2007 | My Name Is Earl | Natalie Duckworth | Episodes: "Our 'Cops' Is On!" "Faked My Own Death" |
| 2007 | Big Shots | James's date | Episode: "The Good, the Bad, and the Really Ugly" |
| 2007 | Without a Trace | Kelly Schmidt | Episode: "Run" |
| 2008–12 | Leverage | Parker | Main role (77 episodes) |
| 2011 | NCIS | Maxine | Episode: "Kill Screen" |
| 2012–13 | Criminal Minds | Dr. Maeve Donovan | 4 episodes |
| 2013 | The Surgeon General | Dr. Page Wyatt | Movie |
| 2013 | The Mentalist | Kira Tinsley | Episode: "The Red Tattoo" |
| 2014 | Perception | Daisy | Episode: "Cobra" |
| 2014 | Killer Women | Jennifer Jennings | Episode: "Some Men Need Killing" |
| 2015 | Complications | Samantha | Main role (10 episodes) |
| 2015 | The Librarians | Lady of the Lake | 2 episodes |
Accolades
| Year | Association | Category | Nominated work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Saturn Awards | Best Supporting Actress on Television | Leverage | Nominated |
| 2012 | Leverage | Nominated | ||
| 2013 | Leverage | Nominated |