Equally convincing as a lovable ditz or a lesbian murderer, a domineering bitch or a love-starved wife, this versatile character actress has found the bulk of her success on television. After working on stage, Smart landed small roles on both the big and small screens. Her life completely changed when she signed on to
Designing Women in 1986 as a befuddled blonde. The hit sitcom jumpstarted her career and introduced her to costar and future husband Richard Gilliland. Smart was 40 when she left the series to try her luck in movies. Despite her undeniable talent, her mature age limited her opportunities, and she spent the '90s turning in admirable performances in failed sitcoms (
High Society,
Style & Substance), a handful of films and some TV-movies (she was scarily convincing as serial killer Aileen Wuornos in
Overkill, years before Charlize Theron snagged an Oscar for playing the same part). In 2001 she was nominated for two Emmys, for a dramatic role on
The District and a hilariously harsh turn on
Frasier, which won her a statuette. And while the '00s brought more failed sitcoms (
In-Laws,
Center of the Universe), her movie career heated up with high-profile supporting parts in
Bringing Down the House and
Garden State. In 2006 she delivered a harrowing turn as the president's emotionally unstable wife on
24.
Jean Smart Fast Facts:
- Diagnosed as diabetic at age 13; is active in Juvenile Diabetes education and the Alzheimer's Association.
- Began career as a stage performer in regional theater; made her professional debut in 1975 at the prestigious Oregon Shakespeare Festival.
- Made her Broadway debut playing Marlene Dietrich in 1981's Piaf. Earned a Tony nomination for her next Broadway appearance 19 years later in a revival of The Man Who Came to Dinner.
- Shot to TV success as Charlene Frazier on five seasons of Designing Women; met and married actor Richard Gilliland while working on the series. He had a recurring role as J.D. Shackleford.
- 24 executive producer Howard Gordon said Smart's emotionally fragile First Lady Martha Logan was inspired by Martha Mitchell, the wife of John Mitchell, the Attorney-General under Richard Nixon's administration.
- Jean Smart Relationships:
- Richard Gilliland - Husband
- Connor Douglas Gilliland - Son
- Douglas Smart - Father
- Kay Smart - Mother
- Jean Smart Awards:
- 2000 Emmy: Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series - Winner
- 2001 Emmy: Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series - Winner
- 2001 Emmy: Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series - Nominee
- 2006 Emmy: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series - Nominee
- 2001 Tony: Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play - Nominee
- 2007 Emmy: Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series - Nominee
- 2008 Emmy: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series - Winner
- College:
- University of Washington, Seattle, WA (BA)
