Archer worked in CANCEL MY RESERVATION (1972) with Bob Hope, enjoyed plum roles in the made-for-TV movies "The Blue Knight" (1973) and "The Mark of Zorro "(1974), played Sam Elliott's old flame in LIFEGUARD (1976), and was Chuck Norris' first leading lady in GOOD GUYS WEAR BLACK (1977). Roles in PARADISE ALLEY (1978), HERO AT LARGE (1980), and GREEN ICE (1981) did little to advance her career, which finally got a well-deserved boost from her work in the 1981 off-Broadway success, A Coupla White Chicks Sitting Around Talking.
With husband Terry Jastrow, she wrote, produced, and starred in WALTZ ACROSS TEXAS (1982), a pleasant if unspectacular modern romance. After appearing as a regular cast member on the series "Falconcrest" (1985), she tackled her first mother part in THE CHECK IS IN THE MAIL (1986), before being cast as Michael Douglas' spouse in FATAL ATTRACTION which won her critical acclaim and an Oscar® nomination. LOVE AT LARGE, NARROW MARGIN (both 1990), and EMINENT DOMAIN (1991) gave her meaty parts, but PATRIOT GAMES in which she played Harrison Ford's wife, finally brought her another hit.
More recent credits include BODY OF EVIDENCE, FAMILY PRAYERS and SHORT CUTS (all 1993), CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER (1994), MOJAVE MOON (1996), NICO THE UNICORN (1998), DARK SUMMER and RULES OF ENGAGEMENT (both 2000), THE GRAY IN BETWEEN (2002), UNCLE NINO (2003), THE IRIS EFFECT and NOVEMBER (both 2004), MAN OF THE HOUSE (2005), CUT OFF, END GAME and "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" (TV series, 3 episodes) (all 2006), "Ghost Whisperer" (TV series, 2 episodes, 2006-07), and FELON and ANTIQUE (both scheduled for 2008).
In July, 2001, she took over the role of Mrs. Robinson in the London production of the stage version of The Graduate, following in the footsteps of Kathleen Turner, Jerry Hall and Amanda Donohoe.
Nominated for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role 1987: FATAL ATTRACTION
1 nomination