Dana Wheeler-Nicholson started her film career with a couple of notable appearances in movies headlined by Diane Keaton. The first was the political spy thriller The Little Drummer Girl, followed by Mrs. Soffel, where Keaton’s character becomes romantically involved with a young convict portrayed by Mel Gibson. Now, while those early roles were supporting ones, Dana Wheeler-Nicholson quickly stepped into the spotlight as a leading lady—specifically, as the love interest in her third major film, the cult classic Fletch. In that movie, the titular role went to Chevy Chase, who brought his signature humor and disguise-filled antics to the screen, all while falling for Dana Wheeler-Nicholson’s character. Interestingly, her character was already married—to none other than Tim Matheson, playing a decidedly untrustworthy husband.
Later on, Dana Wheeler-Nicholson took on another memorable role in the Western epic Tombstone, where she portrayed the wife of Wyatt Earp, the famed lawman played by Kurt Russell. That performance added a strong dramatic layer to her growing resume. Between her film projects, Dana Wheeler-Nicholson stayed quite active on television. She was a series regular on Beverly Hills Buntz, the short-lived spinoff of Hill Street Blues starring Dennis Franz. And yes—she even reunited with Franz later on in an episode of his more enduring police procedural, NYPD Blue.
Over the years, Dana Wheeler-Nicholson has made guest appearances across a wide range of popular TV shows. You might have spotted her on The X-Files, or maybe caught her brief but impactful turn on Sex and the City. Other appearances include episodes of Boston Public, Seinfeld, and Law & Order: Criminal Intent. She also spent some time in the world of daytime drama with a stint on the soap opera All My Children. One of her more recent standout roles was as Angela Collette, the mother of a high school cheerleader, on NBC’s critically acclaimed series Friday Night Lights. Through it all, Dana Wheeler-Nicholson has maintained a steady and versatile presence in both film and television.
When it comes to Dana Wheeler-Nicholson’s filmography, fans and critics alike often point to My Life’s in Turnaround (1993) as her standout performance—definitely the highest rated movie in her career. It really showcases Dana Wheeler-Nicholson at her best, bringing depth and nuance that resonated with audiences. On the other end of the spectrum, Frank and Jesse (1995) tends to receive more mixed or lower reviews, making it, without a doubt, the lowest rated film associated with Dana Wheeler-Nicholson. While it had its moments, it just didn’t capture the same level of acclaim. Overall, Dana Wheeler-Nicholson has had a varied journey in the industry, but her work in My Life’s in Turnaround remains a highlight for many. Dana Wheeler-Nicholson truly shined in that role.