Biography

A native of Oklahoma City, Maree Cheatham began her acting career in high school after moving to Houston where she landed an apprenticeship at the acclaimed Alley Theater. She went on to graduate from Baylor University and became an artist in residence at the Dallas Theater Center. Maree followed her dream to Hollywood, which sparked the beginning of a legendary career spanning more than five decades.

She plays the much-feared Bettie Breeland on Hart of Dixie and is beloved by her young fans as “Nona” on Sam and Cat and for being shot through the roof in Beetlejuice. Her extensive body of work includes eight years as Marie Horton on Days of our Lives, 10 years as Aunt Charlene on General Hospital and 10 years as Stephanie Wyatt on Search for Tomorrow, which garnered her three Emmy nominations. Other television and film credits include Dexter, Ghost Whisperer, Boston Legal, Hot in Cleveland, Weeds, Monk, Scrubs, Desperate Housewives, Gunsmoke, Hawaii 5-O, The Wedding Singer, A Night at the Roxbury, and Rumor Has It .

Maree’s stage credits include the Broadway production of Ladies at The Alamo and Off-Broadway productions of Clash by Night and Christmas on Mars, which earned her two Drama Desk nominations. Maree continues to work on stage, having garnered both a Drama-Logue Award and Ovation nominations.

Maree is also a published poet and enjoys pottery, basket making, quilting and spending time in her garden. She resides in California’s San Gabriel Mountains with her husband Robert Staron.