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Jean SmartAmerican actress
Date of Birth: 13.09.1951
Country:  USA |
Content:
- Jean Smart: A Life in Entertainment and Philanthropy
- Theatrical Career and Broadway Breakthrough
- Television Success and Emmy Awards
- Voice Acting and Animated Adventures
- Film and Recent Roles
- Charitable Work and Activism
Jean Smart: A Life in Entertainment and Philanthropy
Early Life and EducationJean Smart was born on September 13, 1951, in Seattle, Washington. After graduating from Ballard High School in 1969, she attended the University of Washington, where she earned a degree in fine arts.
Theatrical Career and Broadway Breakthrough
Smart began performing in theater in 1972. Her professional debut came three years later at the prestigious Oregon Shakespeare Festival. After several years in regional theater, she landed a breakout role as Marlene Dietrich in the Broadway production of "Piaf." This performance led to her Hollywood breakthrough.
Television Success and Emmy Awards
When a recording of "Piaf" aired on PBS, Smart's talent caught the attention of television producers. In 1986, she starred in the CBS sitcom "Designing Women," where she met and later married actor Richard Gilliland. Seeking greater artistic challenges, Smart left the show at the height of its popularity to pursue film roles.
In 2000 and 2001, Smart won Emmy Awards for her role in the sitcom "Frasier." In 2003, she took on the role of an FBI agent in the "Lifetime" film "The Handler."
Voice Acting and Animated Adventures
Smart's versatility extended to voice acting. She voiced the character of Helen Ventress in the animated series "The Batman" and contributed her voice to other popular animated shows, including "Balto III: Wings of Change," "American Dad!," and "Kim Possible."
Film and Recent Roles
Smart has appeared in numerous films, including "Overkill: The Aileen Wuornos Story," "The Brady Bunch Movie," and "Henry Poole Is Here." In 2006, she starred in the critically acclaimed series "24" as President Martha Logan, earning an Emmy nomination.
Recent film credits include "Youth in Revolt" (2009), "Barry Munday" (2009), and "Borrowed Time" (2013). She currently stars in the HBO Max comedy-drama series "Hacks," for which she has won two Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe Award.
Charitable Work and Activism
Beyond her acting career, Smart is deeply involved in philanthropy. She is a prominent advocate for diabetes research and awareness, having been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the age of 13. She founded the Jean Smart Diabetes Research Fund to support organizations dedicated to finding a cure for the disease.
