Jean Smart

Biography: Known as a versatile character actress, Smart has worked stage and screen but found the bulk of her success on television. After college graduation, she performed in regional theater before heading to Broadway and eventually landing the role of Marlene Dietrich in the play Piaf. The show was later brought her to Hollywood when it was reprised for TV and earned Smart wider exposure. The hit sitcom Designing Women jumpstarted her career in 1986 and introduced her to costar and future husband Richard Gilliland. Smart was 40 when she left the series to try her luck in 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 Monster. 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. While her movie career heated up with high-profile supporting parts in Bringing Down the House and Garden State,Known as a versatile character actress, Smart has worked stage and screen but found the bulk of her success on television. After college graduation, she performed in regional theater before heading to Broadway and eventually landing the role of Marlene Dietrich in the play Piaf. The show was later brought her to Hollywood when it was reprised for TV and earned Smart wider exposure. The hit sitcom Designing Women jumpstarted her career in 1986 and introduced her to costar and future husband Richard Gilliland. Smart was 40 when she left the series to try her luck in 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 Monster. 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. While her movie career heated up with high-profile supporting parts in Bringing Down the House and Garden State, it was her harrowing turn as the president's emotionally unstable wife on 24 that once again had people talking. Smart devotes her free time to juvenile diabetes education (she was diagnosed herself at age 13) and the Alzheimer's Association (having lost her father to the disease). Expand

Jean Smart's Scores

  • Movies
  • TV
Average career score: 48
Highest Metascore: 67 Guinevere
Lowest Metascore: 21 Life Itself
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 21
  2. Negative: 6 out of 21
21 movie reviews
Title: Year: Credit: User score:
52 Wildflower Mar 17, 2023 Principal Cast 8.0
61 Babylon Dec 23, 2022 Elinor St. John / Elinor St. John 4.8
41 Senior Moment Mar 26, 2021 Caroline Summers tbd
41 Superintelligence Nov 26, 2020 President Monahan / Principal Cast / President Of The United States 5.9
tbd Brampton's Own Oct 19, 2018 Judy / Judy tbd
21 Life Itself Sep 21, 2018 Linda / Linda 6.0
67 A Simple Favor Sep 14, 2018 Mrs. McLanden 6.9
tbd Awaken the Shadowman Jul 21, 2017 Evette / Evette / Evette / Evette 1.0
51 The Accountant Oct 14, 2016 Rita Blackburn 7.3
43 Miss Meadows Nov 14, 2014 Mother Meadows / Mother Meadows 3.8
65 Hope Springs Aug 8, 2012 Cast / Eileen / Eileen, Kay's Friend 6.6
39 Life as We Know It Oct 8, 2010 Helen Berenson 5.6
28 Barry Munday Oct 1, 2010 Carol Munday / Carol Munday 8.2
63 Youth in Revolt Jan 8, 2010 Estelle Twisp 8.4
39 Bringing Down the House Mar 7, 2003 Kate Sanderson 6.2
45 Sweet Home Alabama Sep 27, 2002 Stella Kay Perry / Stella Kay Perry 7.9
45 The Kid Jul 7, 2000 Deirdre Lafever 6.4
34 Snow Day Feb 11, 2000 Laura Brandston / Laura Brandston tbd
67 Guinevere Sep 24, 1999 Deborah Sloane 8.1
54 The Brady Bunch Movie Feb 17, 1995 Mrs. Dena Dittmeyer / Mrs. Dena Dittmeyer 6.8
63 Mistress Jul 24, 1992 Patricia Riley tbd
55 Protocol Dec 21, 1984 Ella / Ella tbd
39 Flashpoint Aug 31, 1984 Doris tbd