8 Iconic Sarah Jessica Parker Roles Beyond Just ‘Sex and the City’

Sarah Jessica Parker is a versatile actress, yet she is often associated only with her role as Carrie Bradshaw. Although we all love Carrie, Parker already had an impressive career before landing her breakout role.

Here are her 8 most memorable characters outside of her Sex and the City fame.

1. Patty Greene in ‘Square Pegs’ (1982–1983)

• On Rotten Tomatoes, Square Pegs has 81% from critics.
• On IMDb, Square Pegs is rated 7.3/10.

Perfect for: fans of shows that were ahead of their time with strong female friendships at their core.

Before becoming the fashion icon we know today, Sarah Jessica Parker was rocking glasses as Patty Greene. Square Pegs was her first major television role. The show follows Patty and her best friend as they plot their way into the popular crowd at school.

Available on fuboTV.

2. Janey in ‘Girls Just Want to Have Fun’ (1985)

• On Rotten Tomatoes, Girls Just Want to Have Fun has 40% from critics and 77% from the audience.
• On IMDb, Girls Just Want to Have Fun is rated 6.0/10.

Perfect for: fans of dancing, romance and classic 80's movies.

SJP plays Janey, a rebellious teenager who breaks her strict father's rules to enter a dance competition.

Available on The Roku Channel and Pluto TV for free with ads.

3. SanDeE* in ‘L.A. Story’ (1991)

• On Rotten Tomatoes, L.A. Story has 91% from critics and 75% from the audience.
• On IMDb, L.A. Story is rated 6.7/10.

Perfect for: fans of quirky comedies and satires.

Written and starring Steve Martin, this comedy features SJP as Sandy (or SanDeE*), a ditzy character who serves as the perfect complement to the main storyline.

“She's foolish and silly and doesn't seem terribly bright... It was a very specific time, in a way of observing the larger sort of ideas about Los Angeles,” Parker said in the interview to GQ.

Available on: Fandango At Home, Amazon Video, Apple TV.

4. Vivian Ward in ‘Honeymoon in Vegas’ (1992)

• On Rotten Tomatoes, Honeymoon in Vegas has 65% from critics and 36% from the audience.
• On IMDb, Honeymoon in Vegas is rated 5.9/10.

Perfect for: fans of romantic comedies with a twist.

Parker got that role because of L.A Story. She stars alongside Nicolas Cage as a man who loses a bunch of money in poker.

“Betsy is like a teacher who believes in kind of rules and like a model for living. But funny because she's written by Andy Bergman,” Parker noticed.

Available on: Amazon Video, Apple TV.

5. Sarah Sanderson in ‘Hocus Pocus’ (1993)

• On Rotten Tomatoes, Hocus Pocus has 41% from critics and 72% from the audience.
• On IMDb, Hocus Pocus is rated 6.9/10.

Perfect for: fans of Halloween movies, witches, and slapstick comedy.

One of Parker's most recognizable roles is Sarah Sanderson. She showed off her comedic and musical skills alongside Bette Midler and Kathy Najimy.

“I've only seen it once. I saw the premiere the week before it opened. I guess there was a premiere in Los Angeles and that's the only time I've seen it. So I'm often not able to answer a lot of questions,” Parker revealed.

Available on Disney+.

6. Dolores Fuller in ‘Ed Wood’ (1994)

• On Rotten Tomatoes, Ed Wood has 92% from critics and 88% from the audience.
• On IMDb, Ed Wood is rated 7.8/10.

Perfect for: fans of biopics, Tim Burton and Johnny Depp.

Parker portrays Dolores Fuller, the girlfriend of infamous director Ed Wood. Burton’s film is a sympathetic look at Wood, who is often called “the worst filmmaker of all time.”

“He's [Tim Burton] just absolutely fantastic to work for because he's so clear. It's so specific. You understand so well what he wants,” the actress shared.

Available on: Fandango At Home, Amazon Video, Apple TV.

7. Nathalie Lake in ‘Mars Attacks!’ (1996)

• On Rotten Tomatoes, Mars Attacks! has 55% from critics and 53% from the audience.
• On IMDb, Mars Attacks! is rated 6.4/10.

Perfect for: fans of sci-fi comedies, campy movies and Tim Burton.

Parker reunited with Tim Burton for this sci-fi comedy, playing a talk show host. The film features an impressive cast including Glenn Close, Danny DeVito and Natalie Portman.

Available on: Fandango At Home, Amazon Video, Apple TV.

8. Meredith Morton: in ‘The Family Stone’ (2005)

• On Rotten Tomatoes, The Family Stone has 52% from critics and 63% from the audience.
• On IMDb, The Family Stone is rated 6.3/10.

Perfect for: fans of holiday family films with dysfunctional family dynamics and romantic comedy elements.

Parker plays against type as the anxious girlfriend who spends Christmas with her boyfriend's family. The cast also includes Diane Keaton, Rachel McAdams and Luke Wilson.

“I love that movie. I was really proud of it. I was proud of everybody's work. I was proud of my work and when I saw it, I loved it,” Parker said.

Available on Amazon Prime Video.