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Jean Elizabeth Smart (born September 13, 1951)[1] is an American actress. Her work includes both comedy and drama, and her accolades include seven Primetime Emmy Awards, three Screen Actors Guild Awards and two Golden Globe Awards, with nominations for a Grammy Award and a Tony Award.

Key Information

Smart first gained prominence for her leading role as Charlene Frazier Stillfield on the CBS sitcom Designing Women, in which she starred from 1986 to 1991. She went on to win seven Primetime Emmy Awards for her roles as Lana Gardner in the NBC series Frasier (2000–2001), Regina Newley in the ABC sitcom Samantha Who? (2007–2009), and Deborah Vance in the HBO Max comedy series Hacks (2021–present). She was Emmy-nominated for her roles in The District (2000–2004), 24 (2006–2007), Harry's Law (2011), Fargo (2015), Watchmen (2019), and Mare of Easttown (2021). She also acted in FX's Legion (2017–2019) and voiced Ann Possible in the Disney Channel animated series Kim Possible (2002–2007).

Smart's film credits include Flashpoint (1984), The Brady Bunch Movie (1995), Sweet Home Alabama (2002), Garden State (2004), I Heart Huckabees (2004), Youth in Revolt (2009), The Accountant (2016), A Simple Favor (2018), and Babylon (2022). She received an Independent Spirit Award nomination for playing the mother of a rebellious student in the drama Guinevere (1999).

On stage, she made her Broadway debut portraying Marlene Dietrich in the biographical play Piaf (1981). She starred in the revival of the George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart play The Man Who Came to Dinner (2000), for which she was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play. She returned to Broadway in the one-woman play Call Me Izzy (2025).

Early life and education

[edit]

Smart was born and raised in Seattle, Washington,[2] the daughter of Kathleen Marie "Kay" (Sanders) and Douglas Alexander Smart, a teacher.[3][4] She is the second of four children. Smart was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when she was 13 years old.[5] Her father was a first-generation Scottish-American.[6] On season 10 of the television show Who Do You Think You Are?, Smart discovered she is a maternal 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; there, she gained an interest in acting in the drama program. She graduated from the University of Washington Professional Actors Training Program with a Bachelor of Fine Arts.[3]

Career

[edit]

1975–1999: Theater roles and Designing Women

[edit]
Smart in Mrs. California at Los Angeles Public Theatre

After graduating from college, Smart began her career appearing in regional theater throughout the Pacific Northwest, including in Washington, Alaska, and Oregon.[7] She performed with the Seattle Repertory Theater, as well as the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland, Oregon.[3] 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.[7] 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.[3] In February 1981, Smart appeared in the Broadway production of Piaf playing Marlene Dietrich,[7] a role which she later reprised for the 1984 television version.[3]

In addition to theater, Smart began working in television in several smaller to midsized guest parts in the late 1970s and early 1980s, appearing on The Facts of Life, Alice, and Remington Steele, among several others.[3] 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."[7] The following year, she had a supporting part in the thriller Flashpoint (1984).[8]

Smart at the 1991 Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony

In 1985, Smart was cast in the starring role of Charlene Frazier Stillfield on the comedy series Designing Women,[9] a role she played from the show's beginning in 1986 through its fifth season. After leaving Designing Women, her work mainly concentrated on made-for-television films and supporting film roles. Notably, she portrayed serial killer Aileen Wuornos in the television film Overkill: The Aileen Wuornos Story (1992), followed by a supporting part in the black comedy Mistress (1992), opposite Robert De Niro and Eli Wallach.[10] Critic Roger Ebert praised the film and called Smart's character portrayal "calculating".[11] 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).[12] She also appeared in the television thriller film A Stranger In Town (1995) opposite Gregory Hines.[13]

In 1995, Smart was cast as the lead in the comedy series High Society, which co-starred Mary McDonnell and ran for 13 episodes,[3] followed by a role opposite Nancy McKeon in another short-lived CBS sitcom, Style & Substance. Her other roles included a part in Neil Simon's The Odd Couple II (1998) and as Deborah Sloane in the drama Guinevere (1999).[3] She had a lead role in the comedy Forever Fabulous (1999) as an aging beauty queen.[14]

2000–2019: Television roles and acclaim

[edit]

In 2000, Smart was cast as Lana Gardner in the critically acclaimed NBC comedy series Frasier, acting opposite Kelsey Grammer, set in her hometown of Seattle. She went on to win two Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series.[15] 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."[15]

The same year, she was in the company of the second Broadway revival production of The Man Who Came to Dinner, which earned her a Tony Award nomination.[16] Soon after, she landed roles in several high-profile films including Sweet Home Alabama (2002), playing the mother-in-law of Reese Witherspoon,[17] and in the comedy Bringing Down The House (2002), opposite Queen Latifah.[18] 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.[19] From 2002 to 2007, she voiced Dr. Ann Possible in Kim Possible, 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!.[20] The same year, she was cast in a lead role in the short-lived Center of the Universe.[21] She also had a supporting role in David O. Russell's I Heart Huckabees (2004).[22][23]

Smart after her Primetime Emmy Award win on September 21, 2008

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.[24] 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.[15] 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).[25] 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,[26] 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.[27] 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.[28] 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 as Floyd Gerhardt. Floyd's husband heads Fargo's most prominent organized crime syndicate, and she 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. She worked with Hawley again on Legion, in which she played Melanie Bird, a therapist who works with the eponymous character. In 2016, Smart had a role in the thriller The Accountant, opposite Ben Affleck, Anna Kendrick, and John Lithgow.[29] In 2018, Smart played a guardian angel, to co-star Candace Cameron, in the Hallmark Channel television film A Shoe Addict's Christmas, which aired Sunday November 25, 2018.

In 2019, Smart portrayed Laurie Juspeczyk, the former Silk Spectre, in the HBO superhero drama limited series Watchmen based on characters from the graphic novel of the same name.[30] Smart's performance was singled out by critics including Eric Deggans of NPR who described her performance as "compelling" and "the always-excellent Jean Smart [playing] a cynical, heroically-damaged middle-aged version of Laurie Juspecyk."[31] The series received critical acclaim, winning 11 Primetime Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Limited Series. Smart was nominated for Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie and received the Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her performance.

2020–present: Hacks and return to Broadway

[edit]

In 2021, Smart appeared in the seven-episode HBO crime drama limited series Mare of Easttown set in a small town in Pennsylvania. The series stars Kate Winslet as a grizzled detective with a supporting cast that includes Guy Pearce, Julianne Nicholson, and Evan Peters. Her role as Winslet's mother has earned her critical acclaim, with Jackson McHenry of Variety writing, "It's one of those essential truths of TV, as Watchmen and Legion displayed recently, that if you need a tough-as-nails broad, you hire Jean Smart. Smart has the voice and the timing to play a stern matriarch, and whenever she's onscreen in Mare of Easttown, she wrenches away the spotlight like she's grabbing a juice box."[32]

She also stars as the lead in the HBO Max dark comedy series Hacks (2021–present), playing a legendary Las Vegas comedy diva looking to appeal to a younger audience. USA Today declared Smart, at the age of 69, "The Queen of HBO", after appearing in Watchmen, Mare of Easttown, and now Hacks. Glen Weldon of NPR praised Smart's performance in his review, writing, "I don't know if the role of Deborah Vance was written for Smart, but she certainly makes it seem like it was...Smart's also convincing as a standup, performing Deborah's vaguely hokey routines with a naturalistic flair as if she was born to it."[33] She won two consecutive Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series (2021 and 2022), followed by additional victories in 2024 [34] and 2025[35].

In 2021, Smart co-starred in the romantic comedy film Senior Moment with William Shatner and Christopher Lloyd.[36] In 2022, she played Peg, the grandmother of Kiernan Shipka's character Bea Johnson, in Wildflower.[37] In 2022, Smart appeared in Damien Chazelle's 1920s period comedy-drama film Babylon as gossip columnist Elinor St. John.[38] On September 28, 2024, she hosted the season 50 premiere episode of Saturday Night Live.[39] Zach Vasquez of The Guardian wrote of her hosting duties, "Smart is no slouch – a great dramatic and comedic actor of stage and screen, she nails her monologue, delivering jokes like the pro comic she plays on Hacks, before singing a rendition of Cole Porter’s "I Happen to Like New York."[40]

Smart had a cameo role in the eighth episode of The Studio, which premiered on May 6, 2025.

Smart returned to Broadway in June 2025 in the one-woman play Call Me Izzy written by Jamie Wax at Studio 54.[41][42]

Personal life

[edit]

Smart was married to actor Richard Gilliland for 33 years until his death in March 2021 after a brief illness.[43][44] They met while working on the set of Designing Women (1986–93), where he played J.D. Shackelford, the boyfriend of Annie Potts's character, Mary Jo Shively. Smart also worked with her husband in season five of 24; he played Captain Stan Cotter in one episode, while she starred in the main cast role of First Lady Martha Logan.[45]

They have two sons; they had their first child in 1989 and adopted their second in 2009.[3][46]

Acting credits and accolades

[edit]
Main articles: Jean Smart filmography and List of awards and nominations received by Jean Smart

She is the recipient of numerous awards, including seven Primetime Emmy Awards and nominations for a Tony Award and Grammy Award. Smart has been nominated for fourteen Primetime Emmy Awards for her work in television, winning twice for her comedic performance in a guest-starring role in Frasier (2000, 2001), once for her performance in Samantha Who? (2008), and four for her performance in Hacks (2021, 2022, 2024, 2025).[47] She was also nominated for the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play for her performance in the Broadway revival of the George S. Kaufman play The Man Who Came to Dinner (2001).[48] In 2016, Smart was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album for Patience and Sarah.[49]

In 2000, she earned an Independent Spirit Award nomination for Guinevere and in 2007, she earned a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination along with the ensemble cast of the drama series 24. Smart consecutively won the Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Actress in a Comedy Series for Hacks in 2022 and 2023, and then once again in 2025. Smart is the most awarded performer at the Critics' Choice Television Awards, with five wins from six nominations. Smart is only the second actress, after Betty White, to win all three comedy Emmy nominations – comedy lead, supporting, and guest categories.[50]

References

[edit]
[edit]
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Jean Smart

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Jean Smart is an American actress born on September 13, 1951, in , celebrated for her versatile career spanning theater, television, and film, with seven among her accolades. The second of four children to museum curator and teacher Douglas Smart and his wife Kathleen "Kay", she was diagnosed with at age 13 and developed an early interest in through neighborhood theater activities. After graduating from Ballard High School in 1969 and earning a from the of Washington's Professional Actor Training Program in 1974, Smart launched her professional career at the , where she performed eight roles over three seasons from 1975 to 1978. Relocating to New York City in 1980, Smart debuted on Broadway in Piaf in 1981 and gained off-Broadway recognition in Last Summer at Bluefish Cove, marking her transition to national prominence. Her breakthrough came in television with the role of Charlene Frazier Stillfield on the CBS sitcom Designing Women from 1986 to 1991, which established her as a comedic force and earned her early Emmy nominations. Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, she showcased dramatic range in guest roles, including Lana Gardner on Frasier (earning two Emmy wins in 2001 and 2002) and Martha Logan on 24, while also appearing in films such as The Brady Bunch Movie (1995), Guinevere (1999), Sweet Home Alabama (2002), and Garden State (2004). On stage, she received a Tony Award nomination for Best Actress in a Play for originating Lorraine Sheldon in the 2000 Broadway revival of The Man Who Came to Dinner. Smart's later career revitalized with Emmy-winning performances as Regina Newly on Samantha Who? (2008, one win) and supporting roles in series like Harry's Law (2011–2012), Legion (2017–2019), and Watchmen (2019). Her portrayal of aging comedian Deborah Vance in the HBO Max series Hacks (2021–present) brought critical acclaim and four consecutive Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series (2021, 2022, 2024, and 2025), contributing to her total of seven Emmys and additional honors including two Golden Globe Awards, three Screen Actors Guild Awards, and five Critics' Choice Awards. She also voiced Ann Possible in the animated series Kim Possible (2002–2007); appeared in recent films like Babylon (2022) and A Simple Favor (2018); and returned to Broadway in Call Me Izzy (2025). In her personal life, Smart married actor in 1987 after meeting on the set of ; they remained together until his death from a heart condition in March 2021 at age 71, after nearly 34 years of marriage. The couple had two sons: Connor, born in 1990, who works as a and , and Forrest, born in 2008. Following her husband's passing, Smart underwent a heart procedure in 2023 to address a congenital issue, prioritizing her health as a single mother, and in 2025, she humorously referenced a while accepting her latest Emmy. Despite these challenges, she has continued to thrive professionally, embodying resilience in both her roles and life.

Background

Early life and education

Jean Smart was born on September 13, 1951, in , Washington, to Douglas A. Smart and Kathleen "Kay" Smart. She was the second of four children, with two brothers, and John, and one sister, Georgia. Her father worked as a high school at Ballard High School from 1953 to 1963 before transitioning to roles as a real-estate agent and curator at the ' audiovisual communications center, which exposed her to educational media and creative materials during her childhood. Smart grew up in a neighborhood where she enjoyed watching old movies, participating in neighborhood games, and staging informal plays in a neighbor's garage with her sister, fostering an early affinity for performance. At the age of 13, Smart was diagnosed with , a condition that required her to quickly learn self-management techniques, including administering her own insulin injections. The diagnosis presented immediate challenges, such as adjusting to daily monitoring and treatment in her teenage years, and it influenced family decisions, including her mother's insistence that she remain in for college to ensure access to reliable medical care. This health development shaped her approach to and resilience, though she has since managed the condition lifelong through consistent care and advocacy efforts. Smart attended Ballard High School in , graduating in 1969, where she first developed a serious interest in through participation in school plays and dedicated study under drama teacher Earl Kelly during her senior year. She then pursued formal training at the , earning a degree in 1974 from the Professional Actor Training Program, a rigorous three-year conservatory-style curriculum that emphasized techniques, voice, movement, and on-stage experience. As one of only ten undergraduates admitted to the program, Smart appeared in dozens of productions at the UW School of Drama, honing her skills in diverse roles from classical to contemporary works. Following graduation, Smart immersed herself in 's vibrant local theater scene in the mid-1970s, performing at venues such as the Seattle Repertory Theatre, ACT Theatre, and Intiman Theatre, where she built foundational professional experience before expanding to regional opportunities.

Personal life

Smart married actor in 1987, and the couple remained together for 34 years until his unexpected death from a heart condition in March 2021. The loss profoundly affected Smart emotionally, marking a challenging period as she navigated single parenthood. The couple had two sons: Connor, born in October 1989, and Forrest, adopted from in May 2009 at 10 months old. Smart has described family life as dynamic, particularly after becoming a single mother to her teenage son Forrest and adult son Connor following Gilliland's death, noting that the responsibilities helped her prioritize her health and well-being, including undergoing a heart procedure in 2023 to address a and an later that year. In summer 2025, she broke her knee but continued her professional commitments, humorously referencing the injury during her Emmy acceptance speech in September 2025. Smart has lived with since her diagnosis at age 13, and she has publicly discussed the evolution of her management over nearly five decades, including advances in insulin delivery and monitoring that have improved daily life. In a before the U.S. Senate, she highlighted how better control of her condition enabled her pregnancies and emphasized ongoing research needs for a cure. She advocates for diabetes awareness through volunteering with Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF) and the . Smart is a dedicated philanthropist, supporting the due to her father's death from the disease; she has served as a celebrity champion, spoken at fundraisers like the 2004 Rita Hayworth Gala, and appeared in their annual reports. In 2016, she received the Philanthropic Advocate Award from eWomen Network for her humanitarian efforts. Her commitment to LGBTQ+ rights earned her the National Equality Award from the in 2024, inspired in part by the painful loss of a friend to AIDS. In January 2025, amid devastating wildfires, Smart publicly urged television networks to forgo airing awards shows and donate the associated revenue to wildfire victims and first responders. A longtime resident of , Smart purchased a home in Encino with Gilliland in 2002 and later acquired property in Toluca Lake, balancing her family responsibilities with a grounded lifestyle in the city.

Career

1975–1999: Theater roles and

After graduating from the University of Washington's Professional Actor Training Program in 1974 with a BFA in theater, Jean Smart launched her professional acting career in the mid-1970s amid 's vibrant regional theater scene. She performed with prominent local companies, including the Seattle Repertory Theatre in productions such as Equus (1976–1977) and Fallen Angels, as well as ACT and Intiman Theatre, building a strong foundation in ensemble work and contemporary drama. Smart's early breakthrough came in 1975 at the in Ashland, where she debuted professionally and appeared in eight roles over three years, developing her skills through demanding repertory seasons. Notable performances included Mary Tyrone in Eugene O'Neill's , Josie Hogan in , Lady Elizabeth Grey in Shakespeare's (1977), and Queen Margaret in Henry VI (1978). These roles at the prestigious festival, known for its rigorous Shakespearean focus, honed her versatility in verse and heightened language, earning critical notice for her poise and emotional depth in both comedic and tragic parts. In 1980, Smart relocated to to pursue East Coast opportunities, landing her first major role as Lil in Jane Chambers's landmark lesbian drama Last Summer at Bluefish Cove at the Circle Repertory Theatre. Her portrayal of the resilient, closeted character garnered acclaim for its authenticity and vulnerability, earning her the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play. The following year, in 1981, she made her Broadway debut as in Pam Gems's biographical play Piaf at the Plymouth Theatre, a supporting role that showcased her ability to embody historical figures with glamour and intensity; she received Drama Desk and Tony Award nominations for Featured Actress in a Play. Throughout the 1980s, Smart continued regional theater work, including the Los Angeles premiere of Steve Metcalfe's Strange Snow (1985–1986) at the Coast Playhouse, where she played Martha, a role highlighting her skill in intimate, character-driven dramas about aftermath. Limited Broadway engagements followed due to her growing commitments, but these stage experiences solidified her reputation as a multifaceted performer adept at both and classical works. Smart transitioned to television in the early 1980s with guest appearances on series such as The Facts of Life (1984), Newhart (1985), and Remington Steele (1985), often playing quirky, memorable supporting characters that hinted at her comedic timing. She gained more visibility with recurring roles in short-lived sitcoms, including Reggie (1983), based on the Fargo comic strip, and the second season of Teacher's Only (1983) on NBC, where she portrayed a fellow educator alongside Lynn Redgrave. These early TV credits provided steady work while allowing her to balance theater. In 1986, Smart achieved her television breakthrough as Charlene Frazier Stillfield in the CBS sitcom Designing Women, created by Linda Bloodworth-Thomason. As the sweet-natured, somewhat naive Memphis hairdresser and one of four Southern interior designer sisters, Smart's Charlene embodied wide-eyed optimism and heartfelt loyalty, often delivering punchy one-liners amid the show's feminist commentary on Southern culture and gender dynamics. The series, which premiered to strong ratings and ran for seven seasons, popularized the archetype of the witty, resilient Southern woman in prime-time comedy, influencing later shows like The Golden Girls spin-offs and modern ensembles. Smart starred as Charlene through the first five seasons (1986–1991), contributing to the ensemble's chemistry with co-stars , , and , and appearing in 115 episodes. Her character's arc evolved from bubbly ingénue to confident family woman, including storylines on , ambitions, and social issues like and , which amplified the show's cultural impact during the . The role earned Smart early recognition for her comedic precision, including a 1991 Q Award nomination from Viewers for for Best Supporting Actress in a Quality Comedy Series, reflecting audience appreciation for her endearing performance. She departed after the fifth season to prioritize family, as she and her husband, actor , welcomed their first child, son Connor, in 1989; her exit was written as Charlene moving to with her husband.

2000–2019: Television roles and acclaim

In 2000, Smart returned to Broadway in a revival of and Moss Hart's The Man Who Came to Dinner at the American Airlines Theatre, where she portrayed the glamorous magazine writer Lorraine Sheldon opposite Nathan Lane's Sheridan Whiteside. Her performance earned her a Tony Award nomination for Best Actress in a Play, marking a significant comeback to the stage after focusing on television in the 1990s. Transitioning back to television, Smart took on recurring dramatic roles that showcased her ability to portray authoritative figures. She appeared as Chief Deputy Mayor Martha Skanté on the crime drama from to , contributing to the show's exploration of urban policing challenges. From to 2004, she played the romantic interest Lana Gardner in multiple episodes of NBC's , winning two consecutive for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series in and for her witty and layered portrayal. In 2006 and 2007, Smart embodied the resilient First Lady on Fox's thriller 24, a role that earned her a Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series in 2006 and highlighted her shift toward intense dramatic work. Smart balanced drama with comedy in the late 2000s, starring as the sarcastic mother Regina Newly on ABC's Samantha Who? from 2007 to 2009, for which she received the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Series in 2008. She also made a notable as network executive Martha O'Donnell on NBC's Studio 60 on the in 2007, adding to her repertoire of behind-the-scenes media characters. Later series included her role as hospital board member Mrs. Langston on TNT's HawthoRNe (2010–2011), the no-nonsense lawyer Margaret Prince on NBC's (2011–2012), and the therapist Dr. Amy Newman on NBC's About a Boy (2014–2015). In animation, she voiced the eccentric homemaker Pickles Oblong on The WB's in 2001 and the supportive Dr. Ann Possible throughout Disney's from 2002 to 2007. On film, Smart continued to build her profile with supporting roles that emphasized her comedic timing and emotional depth, such as the mayor Stella Kay Perry in the romantic comedy Sweet Home Alabama (2002) and the quirky mother Carol in Zach Braff's Garden State (2004). Her performance as the aging entertainer Harper Sloane in the independent drama Guinevere further demonstrated her dramatic range, earning critical notice for its poignant depiction of lost youth. Throughout the decade, Smart's versatility allowed her to move beyond her earlier typecasting in comedy, embracing authoritative and complex dramatic characters that garnered increasing acclaim, including additional Emmy recognition for her work on FX's Fargo as crime boss Floyd Gerhardt in 2015.

2020–present: Hacks and return to Broadway

Smart's portrayal of Laurie Blake, also known as Judy Anderson, in the 2019 HBO miniseries Watchmen earned her a Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series in 2020, marking a significant resurgence in her dramatic television work. In 2020, she took on the role of the formidable crime boss Lorraine Lyon in the fourth season of FX's anthology series Fargo, delivering a performance noted for its commanding presence and dry wit amid the show's Midwestern noir setting. The following year, Smart appeared as the supportive yet complex Helen Fahey in HBO's limited series Mare of Easttown, contributing to the ensemble's critical success in exploring grief and community in a Pennsylvania suburb. Smart achieved a late-career breakthrough with her leading role as Deborah Vance, a legendary but embattled comedian grappling with irrelevance in an industry dominated by youth, in the Max dark comedy series Hacks, which premiered in May 2021. Created by , , and , the series follows Vance's evolving mentorship with young writer Ava Daniels (), blending sharp satire on , fame, and comedy's cutthroat dynamics with poignant character development that showcases Vance's resilience and vulnerability. Hacks received widespread critical acclaim, holding a 99% approval rating on across its first three seasons for its incisive humor and Smart's transformative performance, often praised for humanizing a character who embodies both the glamour and grit of . Season 1 focused on Vance's desperate reinvention through edgy material, earning Smart her first Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series; Season 2 delved into her national tour and personal reckonings, securing her second win; Season 3 explored her post-cancellation struggles and industry blacklisting, with Smart earning a third Emmy in 2024. Season 4, which premiered on April 10, 2025, shifted to Vance's presidential ambitions and comedic evolution, maintaining the show's blend of and emotional depth while concluding major arcs around her legacy. In May 2025, renewed Hacks for a fifth and final season, with production beginning that September in New York, allowing Smart to wrap her signature role on a high note. Beyond Hacks, Smart reflected on her tenure as the enigmatic psychologist Melanie Bird in FX's Legion (2017–2019), crediting the role in a 2025 interview with reigniting her passion for complex, genre-bending characters and influencing her approach to authority figures in later projects. In film, she portrayed Hollywood gossip columnist Elinor St. John in Chazelle's 2022 epic , a satirical depiction of early 20th-century Tinseltown excess that highlighted her knack for acerbic, era-defining supporting turns. Smart lent her voice as the narrator in Max's 2025 animated adaptation of E.B. White's , bringing warmth and gravitas to the classic tale of friendship and loss starring and . That same year, she voiced the divine figure of in the comedy Too Good, infusing the character with wry, omnipotent humor. Marking her return to Broadway after a 25-year absence since her last appearance in 2000, Smart starred in the one-woman play Call Me Izzy at , premiering in June 2025 and running through August 24. Written by and directed by Sarna Lapine, the production cast Smart as Izzy, a reclusive writer whose internal monologues reveal themes of isolation, creativity, and redemption, earning praise for her tour-de-force versatility in a role that demanded emotional range from humor to heartbreak. The limited 12-week engagement was briefly interrupted in July when Smart suffered a injury, but she resumed performances, underscoring her commitment to live theater. Among other milestones, Smart hosted on September 28, 2024, delivering sketches that playfully nodded to her Hacks persona and earning acclaim for her timing and charisma. Her Emmy triumphs for Hacks continued with a fourth win for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series at the 77th on September 14, 2025, where she humorously referenced her recent broken knee—sustained that summer and still healing—while accepting the award on crutches, channeling Deborah Vance's indomitable spirit. This victory coincided closely with her 74th birthday on September 13, which she celebrated the next day with cake alongside castmates, tying the personal milestone to her professional peak. Smart's trajectory since 2020 exemplifies overcoming Hollywood ageism, as she has articulated in reflections on roles that defy stereotypes of , transforming from underutilized talent to a multifaceted lead celebrated for her depth and relevance at 74.

Acting credits and accolades

Television

Jean Smart gained prominence with her role as Charlene Frazier-Stillfield, a naive , in the sitcom Designing Women from 1986 to 1991. She portrayed Lana Gardner, Frasier's high school crush turned real estate agent, in a recurring capacity on NBC's Frasier from 2000 to 2001. In the series 24, she played , the resilient First Lady, across seasons 5 and 6 from 2006 to 2007. Smart embodied Regina Newly, the sharp-witted mother, in ABC's Samantha Who? from 2007 to 2009. She took on the complex role of Laurie Blake, an FBI agent and former vigilante, in 's Watchmen miniseries in 2019. Currently, Smart stars as Vance, a Las Vegas comedian, in HBO Max's Hacks since 2021.

Film

Smart appeared as Stella Kay Perry, the mayor's wife, in the romantic comedy in 2002. In Garden State (2004), she played Carol, the mother of the protagonist's love interest. Her performance as Elinor St. John, a Hollywood , in Damien Chazelle's (2022) showcased her dramatic range.

Theater

Early in her career, Smart performed in multiple productions at the from 1975 to 1978, including roles in and . She made her Broadway debut as in Pam Gems's Piaf in 1981. In the 2000 Broadway revival of and Moss Hart's The Man Who Came to Dinner, Smart starred as Lorraine Sheldon, earning a Tony Award nomination. In 2025, she returned to Broadway in the solo play Call Me Izzy by Jamie Wax, portraying the titular Isabelle "Izzy" Scutley, a resilient in an abusive marriage.

Voice and animation

Smart voiced Helen Ventrix in the episode "See No Evil" of Batman: The Animated Series in 1993. She provided the voice for Pickles Oblong, the eccentric mother, in the animated series The Oblongs in 2001. From 2002 to 2007, she voiced Dr. Ann Possible, Kim's intelligent mother, in Disney's Kim Possible. In Netflix's Big Mouth, she has voiced the character Depression Kitty since 2018. In 2025, Smart narrated the HBO Max animated miniseries Charlotte's Web. That same year, she voiced God in the short film Too Good.

Accolades

Jean Smart is a seven-time Primetime Emmy Award winner, with her victories spanning guest, supporting, and lead roles in comedy series, marking her as one of the most awarded performers in . Her accolades reflect a career resurgence in the 2020s, particularly through her portrayal in Hacks, which earned her four Emmy wins, two Golden Globe wins, three , and three wins plus a nomination for Best Actress in a Comedy Series at the 2026 Critics' Choice Awards, and a nomination for Best Actress in a Series at the 2026 AACTA International Awards for her role as Deborah Vance, establishing it as a pinnacle of her recognition. Earlier honors include Emmy wins for Frasier and Samantha Who?, alongside nominations for prestigious theater awards and a Grammy nod for narration work. In 2022, she received a star on the for her television contributions.

Primetime Emmy Awards

Smart's Emmy achievements highlight her versatility in comedy, with seven wins out of 14 nominations. She won two Guest Actress in a Series awards for in 2000 and 2001, recognizing her recurring role as Lana Gardener. In 2008, she secured Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Series for Samantha Who? as Samantha's mother, Peggy. Her Hacks role as Deborah Vance yielded four Outstanding Lead Actress in a Series wins in 2021, 2022, 2024, and 2025, contributing to the series' 11 total Emmys and underscoring a dominant streak in the category. Nominations include Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series for in 2020. These awards, concentrated in the (three wins) and (four wins), illustrate her enduring impact on television .

Other Television Awards

Smart has earned two Golden Globe Awards for Best Actress in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy for Hacks in and 2025, with nominations in 2023, 2024, and 2026. She received three Screen Actors Guild Awards for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series for Hacks in , 2023, and 2025. Additionally, she won three Critics' Choice Television Awards: Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for Watchmen in 2020 and Best Actress in a Comedy Series for Hacks in , 2023, and 2025. The Hacks cast also secured SAG Awards for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series in and 2023, further highlighting the show's collective acclaim.

Theater Honors

In theater, Smart was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play for her role as Lorraine Sheldon in the 2000 revival of The Man Who Came to Dinner in 2001. She was nominated for a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play for Last Summer at Bluefish Cove in 1981, an production that also earned her Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle recognition in its 1983 staging. These early honors, from the 1980s and 2000s, affirm her foundational stage work before her television prominence.

Additional Recognition

Smart received a Grammy Award nomination in 2016 for Best Spoken Word Album for narrating Patience and Sarah alongside . In 2016, she was honored with the Philanthropic Advocate of the Year Award by eWomenNetwork for her humanitarian efforts. Her overall tally includes 46 wins and 56 nominations across major ceremonies, with the representing a peak driven by Hacks' critical and awards success.

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