Jean Smart
Jean Smart | |
|---|---|
 Smart at PaleyFest 2015, New York City | |
| Born | Jean Elizabeth Smart September 13, 1951 Seattle, Washington, U.S. |
| Education | Ballard High School |
| Alma mater | University of Washington |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1979–present |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 2 |
Jean Elizabeth Smart (born September 13, 1951) is an American actress. After beginning her career in regional theater in the Pacific Northwest, she appeared on Broadway in 1981, as Marlene Dietrich in the biographical play Piaf. Smart was later cast in a leading role as Charlene Frazier Stillfield on the CBS sitcom Designing Women, which she starred in from 1986 to 1991.
Smart was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play for the 2000 Broadway revival of The Man Who Came to Dinner, and would go on to receive two Primetime Emmy Awards for her role as Lana Gardener on the NBC sitcom Frasier (2000–01). She won a third Primetime Emmy Award for her starring role as Regina Newley on the ABC sitcom Samantha Who? (2007–09). She also portrayed Martha Logan on the action drama series 24 (2006–07). For her performance as Floyd Gerhardt on Noah Hawley's FX crime series Fargo (2015), she earned a Critics' Choice Television Award and a Primetime Emmy Award nomination. From 2017 to 2019, she starred as Melanie Bird in the FX science fiction series Legion, and in 2019, she starred as Laurie Blake (née Juspeczyk) in Watchmen.
Smart's film credits include Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey (1993), The Brady Bunch Movie (1995), Guinevere (1999), Sweet Home Alabama (2002), Garden State (2004), I Heart Huckabees (2004), Youth in Revolt (2009), The Accountant (2016), and A Simple Favor (2018).
Early life
Smart was born and raised in Seattle, Washington,[1] the daughter of Kathleen Marie "Kay" (Sanders) and Douglas Alexander Smart, a teacher.[2][3][4] She is the second of four children. Smart was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when she was thirteen years old.[5] On Season 10 of the television show Who Do You Think You Are?, Smart discovered she is a direct descendant of Dorcas Hoar, one of the last women convicted of witchcraft during the Salem witch trials.[6]
She is a 1969 graduate of Ballard High School in Seattle; it was there that she gained an interest in acting in the drama program. She graduated from the University of Washington Professional Actors Training Program with a BFA.[2] Smart is a member of the University of Washington chapter of the Alpha Delta Pi sorority.[7]
Career
1975–1984: Early work; theater
After graduating from college, Smart began her career appearing in regional theater throughout the Pacific Northwest, including in Washington, Alaska, and Oregon.[8] She performed with the Seattle Repertory Theater as well as the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland, Oregon.[2] In the mid-1970s, she moved to New York City with college friend and fellow actress, Elizabeth Wingate (Lavery), and began working in Off-Broadway and professional regional productions.[8]
In 1980 she appeared as Lady Macbeth at the Pittsburgh Public Theater opposite Tom Atkins as Macbeth and Keith Fowler as Macduff. In 1981, Smart was nominated for a Drama Desk Award for her performance in the Off-Broadway play Last Summer at Bluefish Cove.[2] In February 1981, Smart appeared in a Broadway production of Piaf playing Marlene Dietrich,[8] a role which she would later reprise for the 1984 television version.[2]
In addition to theater, Smart began working in television in several smaller to mid-size guest parts in the late 1970s and early 1980s, appearing on The Facts of Life, Alice, and Remington Steele among several others.[2] According to Smart, after roles on the short-lived series Teachers Only and Reggie in 1983, "casting directors just decided I was funny. When that happens, you usually get pigeonholed, but I was fortunate. I got to move back and forth."[8] The following year, she had a supporting part in the thriller Flashpoint (1984).[9]
1985–1999: Designing Women; film
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In 1985, Smart was cast in the starring role of Charlene Frazier Stillfield on the comedy series Designing Women,[10] a role she played from the show's beginning in 1986 through its fifth season.[11] After leaving Designing Women, her work mostly concentrated within made-for-television movies and supporting roles in films. Notably she portrayed serial killer, Aileen Wuornos, in the TV movie, Overkill: The Aileen Wuornos Story (1992), followed by a supporting part in the black comedy Mistress (1992), opposite Robert De Niro and Eli Wallach.[12] Critic Roger Ebert praised the film and called Smart's character portrayal "calculating."[13]
The following year, she appeared in the family drama Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey (1993), and as Ory Baxter in a television version of The Yearling (1994). She was then cast as Sally Brewton in the television miniseries Scarlett (1995), and appeared in a supporting role in The Brady Bunch Movie (1995).[14] She would also appear in the television thriller film A Stranger In Town (1995), opposite Gregory Hines.[15]
In 1995 Smart was cast as the lead in the comedy series High Society, which co-starred Mary McDonnell and ran for 13 episodes,[2] followed by a role opposite Nancy McKeon in another short-lived CBS sitcom, Style & Substance. Other roles included a part in Neil Simon's The Odd Couple II (1998), and as Deborah Sloane in the drama Guinevere (1999).[2] She had a lead role in the comedy Forever Fabulous (1999) as an aging beauty queen.[16]
2000–2011: Television and critical success
In 2000, Smart was cast as Lana Gardner on the hit show Frasier, set in her home town of Seattle. She went on to win two Emmy Awards for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series.[17] Reflecting on the role, Smart said: "I had loved that role on Frasier so much, particularly that first episode. It’s nice to get nominated and win for something you were particularly proud of. At the time I was a little bit snobby about doing guest parts. Based on what I don’t know. It wasn’t something I was seeking. But my agent said, 'You have to read this.' I thought it was hilarious and the show was brilliant so I didn't even hesitate. I remember when we did the table read with the rest of the cast we could hardly get through it we were laughing so hard."[17]
The same year, she played in a Broadway production of The Man Who Came to Dinner, which earned her a Tony Award nomination.[18] Soon after, she landed roles in several high-profile films including Sweet Home Alabama (2002), playing the mother in law of Reese Witherspoon,[19] and in the comedy Bringing Down The House (2002), opposite Queen Latifah.[20] She also had a supporting role in the independent drama Garden State (2004). Between 2000 and 2004, Smart played the role of Supervisor of Detectives and ex-wife to Chief Jack Mannion of the Metropolitan Police Department on The District.[21]
From 2002 to 2007 she voiced Dr. Ann Possible in Kim Possible,[22] and also provided the voice of the alcoholic chain-smoking, Pickles Oblong, on The Oblongs. In 2004, she reprised her voice role as Reba Heyerdahl in an episode of the Nickelodeon series Hey Arnold![3] The same year, she was cast in a lead role in the short-lived Center of the Universe.[23] She also had a supporting role in David O. Russell's I Heart Huckabees (2004).[24][25]
In January 2006, Smart joined the cast of the Fox series 24, playing the mentally unstable First Lady of the United States, Martha Logan, to actor Gregory Itzin's President Charles Logan.[26] She received back-to-back Emmy nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series and Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama for the role in 2006 and 2007.[17] She also appeared in several films between 2006 and 2010, including the Curtis Hanson drama, Lucky You (2007), opposite Drew Barrymore; Youth in Revolt (2009); and the independent comedy Barry Munday (2010).[27]
Smart won her third Emmy Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for portraying Samantha's overbearing mother in the sitcom Samantha Who?, opposite Christina Applegate,[28] which she played from 2007 to 2009. She later was cast as Hawaii Governor Pat Jameson during the first season of the CBS-TV remake of Hawaii Five-0.[29]
2012–present: Fargo and other projects
In 2012, Smart was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series for her role in Harry's Law.[30] She then had a supporting role in the Lifetime film Call Me Crazy: A Five Film (2013).
In 2015, Smart starred in the second season of the FX television series, Fargo, portraying Floyd Gerhardt, whose husband is Fargo's most prominent organized crime syndicate, and who is forced to take over after her husband suffers a debilitating stroke. She later finds herself having to lead the Gerhardt dynasty and deal with her sons who are vying to replace their father. For her performance, Smart won the Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Movie/Miniseries, and was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie.
In 2016, Smart had a role in the thriller The Accountant, opposite Ben Affleck, Anna Kendrick, and John Lithgow.[31] In 2018, Smart played a guardian angel, to co-star Candace Cameron, in Hallmark's A Shoe Addict's Christmas, which aired Sunday November 25, 2018.
In 2019, Smart portrayed Laurie Juspeczyk in the HBO television series Watchmen.[32]
Personal life
Smart is married to actor Richard Gilliland, whom she met while working on the set of Designing Women (he played J.D. Shackelford, the boyfriend of Annie Potts's character, Mary Jo Shively). They have a son, Connor Douglas (born 1989),[2] and a daughter, Bonnie Kathleen (adopted as a baby from China in May 2009). Gilliland played Captain Stan Cotter on 24 while Smart later played First Lady Martha Logan on the same series.
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Gangsters | — | |
| 1984 | Flashpoint | Doris | |
| 1984 | Protocol | Ella | |
| 1986 | Fire with Fire | Sister Marie | |
| 1987 | Project X | Dr. Criswell | |
| 1992 | Baby Talk | Narrator | |
| 1992 | Mistress | Patricia | |
| 1993 | Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey | Kate | |
| 1994 | The Yearling | Ora Baxter | |
| 1995 | The Brady Bunch Movie | Dena Dittmeyer | |
| 1996 | Edie and Pen | Wendy the Waitress | |
| 1998 | The Odd Couple II | Holly | |
| 1999 | Guinevere | Deborah Sloane | |
| 2000 | Forever Fabulous | Loreli Daly | |
| 2000 | Snow Day | Laura Brandston | |
| 2000 | Disney's The Kid | Deidre Lefever | |
| 2002 | Sweet Home Alabama | Stella Kay Perry | |
| 2003 | Bringing Down the House | Kate Sanderson | |
| 2004 | Garden State | Carol | |
| 2004 | I Heart Huckabees | Mrs. Hooten | |
| 2004 | Balto III: Wings of Change | Stella (voice) | |
| 2006 | Whisper of the Heart | Asako Tsukishima (voice) | |
| 2007 | Lucky You | Michelle Carson | |
| 2008 | Hero Wanted | Melanie McQueen | |
| 2009 | Youth in Revolt | Estelle Twisp | |
| 2010 | Barry Munday | Carol Munday | |
| 2010 | Life As We Know It | Mrs. Berenson | Uncredited |
| 2012 | Hope Springs | Eileen | |
| 2016 | The Accountant | Rita Blackburn | |
| 2017 | Awaken the Shadowman | Evette | |
| 2018 | Life Itself | Linda | |
| 2018 | A Simple Favor | Margaret McLanden | |
| 2020 | Superintelligence | President of the United States | Completed |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Before and After | — | Television film |
| 1983 | Reggie | Joan Reynolds | 6 episodes |
| 1983 | Teachers Only | Shari | 13 episodes |
| 1984 | Maximum Security | Dr. Allison Brody | 3 episodes |
| 1984 | Single Bars, Single Women | Virge | Television film |
| 1984 | Piaf | Marlene Dietrich | Television film |
| 1986 | A Fight for Jenny | Valerie Thomas | Television film |
| 1986–1991 | Designing Women | Charlene Olivia Frazier Stillfield | 119 episodes |
| 1987 | Place at the Table | Susan Singer | Television film |
| 1991 | A Seduction in Travis County | Karen | Television film |
| 1991 | Locked Up: A Mother's Rage | Cathy | Television film |
| 1992 | Overkill: The Aileen Wuornos Story | Aileen Wuornos | Television film |
| 1992 | Just My Imagination | Pally Thompson | Television film |
| 1993 | Batman: The Animated Series | Helen Ventrix (voice) | Episode: "See No Evil" |
| 1994 | Scarlett | Sally Brewton | 3 episodes |
| 1994 | The Yarn Princess | Margaret Thomas | Television film |
| 1995 | A Stranger in Town | Rose | Television film |
| 1995–1996 | High Society | Elinore 'Ellie' Walker | 13 episodes |
| 1997 | Hey Arnold! | Phoebe's mother (voice) | Episode: "Freeze Frame/Phoebe Cheats" |
| 1997 | Undue Influence | Dana Colby | Television film |
| 1998 | Style & Substance | Chelsea Stevens | 13 episodes |
| 1998 | A Change of Heart | Elaine Mitchell | Television film |
| 2000–2003 | Static Shock | Maggie Foley (voice) | 3 episodes |
| 2000–2004 | The District | Detective Sherry Regan | 14 episodes |
| 2000–2001 | Frasier | Lana Gardner | 7 episodes |
| 2000 | The Man Who Came to Dinner | Lorraine Sheldon | Television film |
| 2001 | The Oblongs | Pickles Oblong (voice) | 8 episodes |
| 2002–2007 | Kim Possible | Dr. Ann Possible (voice) | 40 episodes |
| 2002–2003 | In-Laws | Marlene Pellet | 15 episodes |
| 2004 | Audrey's Rain | Audrey Walker | Television film |
| 2004 | Killer Instinct: From the Files of Agent Candice DeLong | Candice DeLong | Television film |
| 2004 | A Very Married Christmas | Ellen Griffin | Television film |
| 2004–2005 | Center of the Universe | Kate Barnett | 12 episodes |
| 2004 | Hey Arnold! | Reba Heyerdahl (voice) | Episode: "Phoebe's Little Problem/Grandpa's Packard" |
| 2006–2007 | 24 | Martha Logan | 24 episodes |
| 2007–2009 | Samantha Who? | Regina Newly | 35 episodes |
| 2008 | American Dad! | Miriam Bullock (voice) | Episode: "One Little Word" |
| 2010–2011 | Hawaii Five-0 | Governor Pat Jameson | 4 episodes |
| 2010 | Psych | Gillian Tucker | Episode: "Chivalry Is Not Dead...But Someone Is" |
| 2011 | $h*! My Dad Says | Rosemary Penworth | 4 episodes |
| 2011 | William & Catherine: A Royal Romance | Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall | Television film |
| 2011–2012 | Harry's Law | Roseanna Remmick | 7 episodes |
| 2013 | Hot in Cleveland | Bess | Episode: "Conoga Falls" |
| 2013 | Call Me Crazy: A Five Film | Claire | Television film, segment: "Allison" |
| 2014 | Halt and Catch Fire | LouLu Lutherford | Episode: "High Plains Hardware" |
| 2014–2015 | Sirens | Nora Farrell | 3 episodes |
| 2014 | Getting On | Arlene Willy-Weller | 2 episodes |
| 2015 | The McCarthys | Lydia | Episode: "Gerard's Engagement Party" |
| 2015 | Fargo | Floyd Gerhardt | 9 episodes |
| 2015–2016 | Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce | Katherine Miller | 5 episodes |
| 2016 | Bad Internet | President Powers | Episode: "The President Goes Viral" |
| 2017–2019 | Legion | Melanie Bird | 19 episodes |
| 2017 | Angie Tribeca | Carnie | Episode: "License to Drill" |
| 2017 | Veep | Mrs. Walsh | Episode: "Judge" |
| 2018–2019 | Big Mouth | Depression Kitty (voice) | Episodes: "The Department of Puberty", "The ASSes" |
| 2018 | A Shoe Addict's Christmas | Charlie / Guardian Angel | Television film |
| 2018–2019 | Dirty John | Arlane Hart | 5 episodes |
| 2019 | Arrested Development | Mimi | 2 episodes |
| 2019 | Watchmen | Agent Laurie Blake | Series regular |
| 2019 | Mad About You | Chelsea Stevens-Kobolakis | Episode: "Real Estate for Beginners" |
| TBA | Mare of Easttown | Helen | Upcoming miniseries |
Stage credits
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980–1981 | Last Summer at Bluefish Cove | Lil | |
| 1981 | Piaf | Marlene | |
| 1992 | The End of the Day | Various | |
| 1996 | Fit to Be Tied | Nessa | |
| 2000 | The Man Who Came to Dinner | Lorraine Sheldon | [33] |
Awards and nominations
References
Notes
- ^ Krug, Kurt Anthony (March 13, 2006). "Seattle native Jean Smart happily back in the TV grind for a stint on "24"". The Seattle Times. Retrieved December 27, 2016.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Jean Smart- Biography". Yahoo! Movies. Retrieved 16 November 2012.
- ^ a b "Jean Smart Biography". FilmReference. Retrieved December 22, 2016.
- ^ Stated on Who Do You Think You Are?, June 18, 2018
- ^ Bandler, Michael J. (May 10, 1992). "Against The Odds". The Chicago Tribune. Retrieved January 22, 2017.
- ^ https://www.tvinsider.com/693813/who-do-you-think-you-are-season-finale-jean-smart/
- ^ "Jean Smart Biography". TV.com. Retrieved November 23, 2012.
- ^ a b c d Nassour, Ellis (July 2000). "Jean Smart Commutes From TV & Film To The Stage". Total Theater. Retrieved January 22, 2017.
- ^ Pitts 2013, p. 111.
- ^ Shapiro & Jicha 2015, p. 142.
- ^ "Designing Women". Delta Burke, Dixie Carter, Annie Potts. Retrieved 2018-03-20.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: others (link) - ^ "Mistress (1992) - Overview". Turner Classic Movies. Rovi. Retrieved December 29, 2016.
- ^ Ebert, Roger (August 21, 1992). "Mistress Movie Review". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved January 22, 2017.
- ^ "The Brady Bunch Movie Cast and Crew". TV Guide. Retrieved January 22, 2017.
- ^ "'A Stranger in Town'". Jet. Television: 66. July 15, 1996.
- ^ "Forever Fabulous (1999)". MovieFone.com. Retrieved January 21, 2017.
- ^ a b c Berkshire, Geoff (August 11, 2016). "Jean Smart Remembers Her Emmy-Winning 'Frasier' Guest Role". Variety. Retrieved January 22, 2016.
- ^ "The Man Who Came to Dinner". Roundabout Theatre Company. Retrieved January 22, 2017.
- ^ "Sweet Home Alabama (2002)". Retrieved 23 November 2012.
- ^ "Bringing Down the House". About.com. Retrieved 23 November 2012.
- ^ Kuklenski, Valerie (February 26, 2001). "`The District' Gets Smart -- Jean Smart". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 23 November 2012.
- ^ "Dr. Ann Possible". behindthevoiceactors.com. Retrieved November 13, 2012.
- ^ Fonseca, Nicholas (December 13, 2004). "Smart and Soul". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved November 23, 2012.
- ^ Fonseca, Nicholas (December 13, 2004). "Jean Smart is the new indie queen". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved January 22, 2017.
- ^ Russell & Baena 2004, p. vi.
- ^ Keck, William (January 9, 2006). "Fox's '24' makes Smart move". USA Today. Retrieved 16 November 2012.
- ^ Propst, Andy (March 12, 2010). "Chris D'Arienzo's Barry Munday, with Jean Smart, Patrick Wilson, et al. to Bow at Southwest Film Festival". TheaterMania.com. Retrieved January 22, 2017.
- ^ "JEAN SMART 'SAMANTHA WHO?'; Roles of the Season, Maybe a Lifetime". The New York Times. June 8, 2008. Retrieved November 23, 2012.
- ^ Collis, Clark (March 10, 2010). "Jean Smart says 'Aloha' to 'Hawaii Five-O' remake". EW. Retrieved 23 November 2012.
- ^ "Primetime Emmy Awards". Retrieved November 16, 2012.
- ^ Gliatto, Tom (October 13, 2016). "The Accountant Review: Ben Affleck Crunches Numbers and Crushes Enemies in Enjoyable Thriller". People. Retrieved December 30, 2016.
- ^ https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2019/11/jean-smart-laurie-blake-watchmen-hbo-interview
- ^ Willis 2004, p. 11.
- ^ "Jean Smart". Drama Desk Award database. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
- ^ "Jean Smart awards". IBDB. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
- ^ "52nd Emmy Award Nominees and Winners". Emmy Awards. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
- ^ "53rd Emmy Awards Nominees and Winners". Emmy Awards. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
- ^ "60th Emmy Awards Nominees and Winners". Emmy Awards. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
- ^ "Critics Choice Awards 2016: Fargo and Mr Robot top TV winners list". Digital Spy. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
Sources
- Pitts, Michael R. (2013). Western Movies: A Guide to 5,105 Feature Films (2 ed.). McFarland. ISBN 978-0-786-46372-5.
- Russell, David O., and Jeff Baena (2004). I Heart Huckabees: The Shooting Script. HarperCollins. ISBN 978-1-557-04656-7.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - The Top 100 American Situation Comedies: An Objective Ranking. McFarland. 2015. ISBN 978-1-476-66404-0.
{{cite book}}: Unknown parameter|authors=ignored (help) - Willis, John, ed. (2004). Theatre World 2000-2001: Special Tony Honor Edition. Applause Theatre & Cinema Books. ISBN 978-1-557-83521-5.
External links
- Jean Smart at IMDb
- Jean Smart at the Internet Broadway Database
- Jean Smart at the Internet Off-Broadway Database
- Jean Smart at AllMovie
- 1951 births
- Living people
- Actresses from Seattle
- American film actresses
- American Shakespearean actresses
- American stage actresses
- American television actresses
- American voice actresses
- Ballard High School (Seattle, Washington) alumni
- 20th-century American actresses
- 21st-century American actresses
- Outstanding Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Primetime Emmy Award winners
- People with type 1 diabetes
- University of Washington School of Drama alumni