Jean Weir on "Freaks and Geeks"

Becky Ann Baker plays Jean Weir, Lindsay and Sam's loving, yet over-involved mother. Baker found herself attracted to the role because "she is more real than a lot of moms on television." She also describes her character as "very domestic, paying more attention to housework than to her kids." As the real-life mother of a 6-year-old daughter, Baker draws from personal experience in creating a character a little more offbeat than herself.

Since the sixth grade, when she performed in a school play, Baker had the acting bug. Music and dance propelled her further and by high school she was landing all the lead roles. Although she received a B.A. in theater and minored in dance and music at Western Kentucky University, Baker says she really learned the art of acting on stage in New York.

An accomplished actress of stage, film and television, she made her first Broadway appearance in the 1978 production of "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas." Her musical and dance background also helped win her roles in the Broadway performances of "Titanic" and "A Streetcar Named Desire." Off-Broadway her credits include Paul Rudnick's "The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told," the critically acclaimed "June Moon," "Durang, Durang," "Two Gentlemen of Verona," and more. In 1994 she received the Drama Logue award for her work in "Night and Her Stars."

Baker recently received a Blockbuster Video Award nomination for her role in the film, "A Simple Plan." Her other motion picture credits include "Celebrity," "The Confession," "Men in Black," "In and Out," "Sabrina," "Unstrung Heroes," "White Squall," "Lorenzo's Oil," "Come See the Paradise" and "Full Moon in Blue Water." On television Baker has an extensive credit list, including Stephen King's "The Storm of the Century," "Ruby Ridge," "Star Trek: Voyager," and NBC's "Frasier" and "L.A. Law."

Baker treasures athletic and outdoor activities while off the set. An avid sports fan, she enjoys softball, basketball, and relaxing at her vacation house on the Delaware River. She is a devoted stage actress and a founding member of The Drama Department, a New York-based theater company.

Born in Ft. Knox, Kentucky, Baker grew up as an "army brat," moving from base to base with her parents. She now lives in New York with her husband Dylan and their daughter. Her birthday is February 17.