Lois Smith Biography

Fast Facts

• She studied acting with Lee Strasburg at the Actors' Studio in New York City
• Quote: "(On the secret to her long career) "Stay alive and show up! I really do think it's as simple as that-or not so simple as that․ I've just been so fortunate․""
• Quote: "There's not enough time for rehearsal anymore․ It's been continually squeezed during my years as an actress․"
• Quote: "(On working with James Dean in "East of Eden") "It was the first film I made, the first film [Dean] made․ And he was so good․ He was definitely a moody person-very much like his character in the film․ But he was just wonderful․""
• After appearing in a few TV shows she made her movie debut in the film version of John Steinbeck's novel "East of Eden․"
• She is a member of Chicago's acclaimed Steppenwolf Theatre Company, and one of her most memorable roles there was that of Ma Joad in "The Grapes of Wrath․"
• She is an ordained minister, and she officiated at the wedding of actor Tim Hopper and his wife