--- name: "Jean Smart" canonical: "https://film.one/person/jean-smart" fi1m_id: "jean-smart" imdb_id: "nm0005443" tmdb_id: 5376 wikidata_id: "Q239069" roles: ["Actor"] born: "13 September 1951" reviewed_on_fi1m: 8 average_fi1m_score: 77 average_as: "actor" average_over: 8 updated: "2026-10-07T19:22:04.027682+00:00" licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Jean Smart ## Identity Jean Smart - **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/jean-smart - **Type:** Person - **Fi1m ID:** jean-smart - **IMDb ID:** nm0005443 - **TMDB ID:** 5376 - **Wikidata ID:** Q239069 - **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_Smart, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q239069, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005443/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/5376 Actor. Born 13 September 1951 in Seattle, Washington, USA. ## Details - **Work:** Actor - **Born:** 13 September 1951, Seattle, Washington, USA - **Active:** 2001–present - **Also known as:** Jean E. Smart, Jean Elizabeth Smart - **Frequently works with:** [Karen Wacker](https://film.one/person/karen-wacker.md) - **Golden Globes:** 3 Golden Globes (3 won · 1 nominated) - **Average Fi1m score:** 77, as actor, over 8 titles - **Fi1m score by decade:** 2000s 74 (2), 2010s 77 (4), 2020s 80 (2) - **Fi1m against the critics:** 77 to 76 across 8 titles - **Score spread:** 3 at 80+, 5 at 60–79, 0 under 60 - **Lead roles:** 2 of 5 acting credits billed first or second - **Genres:** Drama 7, Crime 5, Action & Adventure 3, Comedy 3, Mystery 2, Sci-Fi & Fantasy 2 - **Screen time:** 2 hours of reviewed films - **Box office:** $27m across 1 films with figures - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_Smart, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q239069, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005443/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/5376 ## Streaming the US now - **HBO Max:** [*Watchmen*](https://film.one/tv/watchmen-2019.md) (84), [*Hacks*](https://film.one/tv/hacks.md) (83), [*Mare of Easttown*](https://film.one/tv/mare-of-easttown.md) (78) - **Disney+:** [*Legion*](https://film.one/tv/legion.md) (77) For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country. ## Fi1m on Jean Smart > Jean Smart makes difficult women funny without making them easier company. In *Hacks*, she makes professional confidence feel hard-earned and vulnerable, giving us reasons to care without asking us to excuse the behaviour. Deborah Vance can make a disagreement entertaining even when she is being unfair. In *Hacks* (2021), Smart plays the veteran Las Vegas stand-up with enough authority that we accept her standing before we have properly inspected her surroundings. Hannah Einbinder’s young writer, Ava, brings grievances of her own to an arrangement neither woman finds comfortable. This is where we find Smart most persuasive: letting us enjoy Deborah without pretending we would enjoy working for her. Her breakthrough as Charlene in *Designing Women* (1986) established her as a sitcom actor, and the funny-woman label initially narrowed her dramatic opportunities. The intervening work moved between television guest parts, films and short-lived series. With Floyd Gerhardt, the crime-family matriarch in *Fargo* (2015), she entered a renewed period of prominence in television. *Hacks* gives her a particularly useful leading role because the comedy depends on our believing that Deborah is good at her profession, however trying she may be away from the microphone. Einbinder matters to how well that role works, giving Smart a colleague whose difficulties deserve attention rather than someone merely there to receive the insults. We felt unexpectedly protective of Deborah because Smart makes her skill at the job seem like something she cannot afford to lose. Smart does not soften her into someone agreeable to secure that response. The developing relationship holds our attention because the series takes both women seriously, allowing an entertaining disagreement to have consequences for people we have come to care about. Adam Bricker’s cinematography helps by keeping our attention on the performances rather than allowing Las Vegas to take over. Production designers including Jon Carlos and Rob Tokarz give Deborah convincing surroundings for an established entertainer, though Smart has already done much of the work of making us believe in her position. The reservation is the writing, which sometimes presses the women’s generational differences beyond what their exchanges need. Start with *Hacks* for Smart and Einbinder, and allow for the occasions when the script explains a difficulty they have already made perfectly clear. ## Biography Jean Smart is an American actress. She first gained prominence for her role as Charlene Frazier Stillfield in the CBS sitcom *Designing Women* (1986–1991). She has won seven Primetime Emmy Awards, including four for her performance as Deborah Vance in the HBO series *Hacks* (2021–2026), as well as awards for guest roles in *Frasier* (2000–2001) and a supporting role in *Samantha Who?* (2007–2009). Smart's other television credits include *24* (2006–2007), *Fargo* (2015), *Watchmen* (2019) and *Mare of Easttown* (2021). Her film roles include *Sweet Home Alabama* (2002), *Garden State* (2004), *The Accountant* (2016), *A Simple Favor* (2018) and *Babylon* (2022) as Elinor St. John. On stage, she made her Broadway debut in *Piaf* (1981) and received a Tony Award nomination for the 2000 revival of *The Man Who Came to Dinner*. *Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.* ## On Fi1m (8) - *Hacks* (2021), Fi1m 83, as Deborah Vance — [page](https://film.one/tv/hacks.md) - *Mare of Easttown* (2021), Fi1m 78, as Helen Fahey — [page](https://film.one/tv/mare-of-easttown.md) - *Watchmen* (2019), Fi1m 84, as Laurie Blake — [page](https://film.one/tv/watchmen-2019.md) - *Legion* (2017), Fi1m 77, as Melanie Bird — [page](https://film.one/tv/legion.md) - *Angie Tribeca* (2016), Fi1m 66, as Carnie — [page](https://film.one/tv/angie-tribeca.md) - *Fargo* (2014), Fi1m 82, as Floyd Gerhardt — [page](https://film.one/tv/fargo-2014.md) - *Garden State* (2004), Fi1m 71, as Carol — [page](https://film.one/film/garden-state.md) - *24* (2001), Fi1m 78, as Martha Logan — [page](https://film.one/tv/24.md) ## Complete filmography (114) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *Deborah Vance and Friends* (2026), as Deborah Vance - *E.B. White's Charlotte's Web* (2025), series, as Narrator (voice) - *Too Good* (2025), as God - *The Studio* (2025), series, as Jean Smart — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-studio.md) - *Wildflower* (2023), as Peg - *Babylon* (2022), as Elinor St. John - *Hacks* (2021), series, as Deborah Vance — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/tv/hacks.md) - *Mare of Easttown* (2021), series, as Helen Fahey — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/mare-of-easttown.md) - *Senior Moment* (2021), as Caroline Summers - *Superintelligence* (2020), as President Monahan - *Mad About You* (2019), series, as Chelsea Stevens-Kobolakis - *Watchmen* (2019), series, as Laurie Blake — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/watchmen-2019.md) - *Dirty John* (2018), series, as Arlane Hart - *A Shoe Addict's Christmas* (2018), as Charlie - *Brampton's Own* (2018), as Judy - *Life Itself* (2018), as Linda Dempsey - *A Simple Favor* (2018), as Margaret McLanden - *The Messenger* (2018), as The Woman - *Big Mouth* (2017), series, as Depression Kitty (voice) - *Awaken the Shadowman* (2017), as Evette - *Legion* (2017), series, as Melanie Bird — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/tv/legion.md) - *The Accountant* (2016), as Rita Blackburn - *Bad Internet* (2016), series, as President Powers - *Getting Ed Laid* (2016), as The Hooker - *Angie Tribeca* (2016), series, as Carnie — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/tv/angie-tribeca.md) - *The McCarthys* (2014), series, as Lydia - *Miss Meadows* (2014), as Mother Meadows · Co-Executive Producer - *Halt and Catch Fire* (2014), series, as LouLu Lutherford — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/halt-and-catch-fire.md) - *Fargo* (2014), series, as Floyd Gerhardt — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/fargo-2014.md) - *Sirens* (2014), series, as Nora Farrell - *Warren* (2014), as Claire Cavanee - *Getting On* (2013), series, as Arlene Willy-Weller - *When Calls the Heart* (2013), as Frances Tunnecliffe - *Call Me Crazy: A Five Film* (2013), as Claire - *Waking* (2013), as Dr. Hinton - *Hope Springs* (2012), as Eileen, Kay's Friend - *William & Catherine: A Royal Romance* (2012), as HRH Camilla - *Veep* (2012), series, as Imogene Walsh — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/veep.md) - *Harry's Law* (2011), series, as Roseanna Remmick - *Woke Up Dead* (2010), as Meryl Greene - *Life As We Know It* (2010), as Helen Berenson (uncredited) - *$#*! My Dad Says* (2010), series, as Rosemary Pernworth - *Hawaii Five-0* (2010), series, as Governor Pat Jameson — Fi1m 65, [page](https://film.one/tv/hawaii-five-0.md) - *Hot in Cleveland* (2010), series, as Bess - *Barry Munday* (2010), as Carol Munday - *Youth in Revolt* (2009), as Estelle Twisp - *Hero Wanted* (2008), as Melanie McQueen - *Samantha Who?* (2007), series, as Regina Newly - *Lucky You* (2007), as Michelle Carson - *Psych* (2006), series, as Gillian Tucker - *Kim Possible Movie: So the Drama* (2005), as Dr. Ann Possible (voice) - *A Very Married Christmas* (2004), as Ellen Griffin - *Center of the Universe* (2004), series, as Kate Barnett - *I ♥ Huckabees* (2004), as Mrs. Hooten - *Garden State* (2004), as Carol — Fi1m 71, [page](https://film.one/film/garden-state.md) - *Balto III: Wings of Change* (2004), as Stella (voice) - *Kim Possible: A Sitch in Time* (2003), as Dr. Ann Possible (voice) - *Arrested Development* (2003), series, as Mimi — Fi1m 87, [page](https://film.one/tv/arrested-development.md) - *Killer Instinct: From the Files of Agent Candice DeLong* (2003), as Agent Candice DeLong - *The Designing Women Reunion* (2003), Actor - *Audrey's Rain* (2003), as Audrey Walker - *Bringing Down the House* (2003), as Kate Sanderson - *Sweet Home Alabama* (2002), as Stella Kay Perry - *In-Laws* (2002), series, as Marlene Pellet - *Kim Possible* (2002), series, as Dr. Ann Possible (voice), Dr. Ann Possible / Tutor Woman (voice), Dr. Ann Possible / Tour Guide (voice), Dr. Ann Possible / Additional Voices (voice), Dr. Ann Possible / TV Trash Heap Executive #1 (voice) - *24* (2001), series, as Martha Logan — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/24.md) - *The Oblongs* (2001), series, as Pickles Oblong (voice) - *The District* (2000), series, as Sherry Regan - *The Man Who Came to Dinner* (2000), as Lorraine Sheldon - *Static Shock* (2000), series, as Richie's Mom (voice) - *The Kid* (2000), as Deirdre Lefever - *Snow Day* (2000), as Laura Brandston - *Forever Fabulous* (1999), as Loreli Daly - *Guinevere* (1999), as Deborah Sloane - *Change of Heart* (1998), as Elaine Marshall - *The Odd Couple II* (1998), as Holly - *Style & Substance* (1998), series, as Chelsea Stevens - *Hey Arnold!* (1996), series, as Phoebe's Mother (voice) - *Undue Influence* (1996), series, as Dana Colby - *Edie & Pen* (1996), as Wendy the Waitress - *High Society* (1995), series, as Ellie Walker - *A Stranger in Town* (1995), as Rose · Co-Producer - *The Brady Bunch Movie* (1995), as Mrs. Dena Dittmeyer - *Scarlett* (1994), series, as Sally Brewton - *The Yearling* (1994), as Ory Baxter - *The Yarn Princess* (1994), as Margaret Thomas - *Frasier* (1993), series, as Lorna Lynley, Lana Gardner — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/frasier.md) - *Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey* (1993), as Kate - *Just My Imagination* (1992), as Pally Thompson - *Batman: The Animated Series* (1992), series, as Helen Ventrix (voice) - *Mistress* (1992), as Patricia Riley - *Overkill: The Aileen Wuornos Story* (1992), as Aileen Wuornos - *Locked Up: A Mother’s Rage* (1991), as Cathy - *A Seduction in Travis County* (1991), as Karen - *A Place at the Table* (1988), as Susan Singer - *Project X* (1987), as Dr. Criswell - *A Fight for Jenny* (1986), as Valerie Thomas - *Designing Women* (1986), series, as Charlene Frazier Stillfield - *Fire with Fire* (1986), as Sister Maria - *Lime Street* (1985), series, Actor - *Protocol* (1984), as Ella - *Single Bars, Single Women* (1984), as Virge - *Piaf* (1984), as Marlene - *Flashpoint* (1984), as Doris - *Reggie* (1983), series, as Joan Reynolds - *Goodnight, Beantown* (1983), series, Actor - *Remington Steele* (1982), series, as Gloria Blyer - *Teachers Only* (1982), series, as Shari Kirkland - *Hoodlums* (1980), as Carol - *Before and After* (1979), as Woman Bather - *The Facts of Life* (1979), series, as Ellen Slater - *Alice* (1976), series, Actor - *Miss Macy*, as Miss Macy - *Egg Baby*, as Ms. Downey ## Gallery - ![Jean Smart](https://film.one/media/person/427/gallery-f170f077daf7.jpg) Jean Smart — Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f1/Jean_Smart_by_Gage_Skidmore.jpg/1280px-Jean_Smart_by_Gage_Skidmore.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Aubrey Plaza, Jean Smart, Bill Irwin, Amber Midthunder, Jeremie Harris and Navid Negahban speaking at the 2018 San Diego Comic Con International, for "Legion", ](https://film.one/media/person/427/gallery-a378e843726a.jpg) Aubrey Plaza, Jean Smart, Bill Irwin, Amber Midthunder, Jeremie Harris and Navid Negahban speaking at the 2018 San Diego Comic Con International, for "Legion", — Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/68/Aubrey_Plaza%2C_Jean_Smart%2C_Bill_Irwin%2C_Amber_Midthunder%2C_Jeremie_Harris_%26_Navid_Negahban_%2842917339275%29.jpg/1280px-Aubrey_Plaza%2C_Jean_Smart%2C_Bill_Irwin%2C_Amber_Midthunder%2C_Jeremie_Harris_%26_Navid_Negahban_%2842917339275%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Aubrey Plaza speaking at the 2018 San Diego Comic Con International, for "Legion", at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, California. Please attribute](https://film.one/media/person/427/gallery-edc16f62a003.jpg) Aubrey Plaza speaking at the 2018 San Diego Comic Con International, for "Legion", at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, California. Please attribute — Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e3/Aubrey_Plaza_%2842917412245%29.jpg/1280px-Aubrey_Plaza_%2842917412245%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Aubrey Plaza speaking at the 2018 San Diego Comic Con International, for "Legion", at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, California. Please attribute](https://film.one/media/person/427/gallery-fe6c9f709888.jpg) Aubrey Plaza speaking at the 2018 San Diego Comic Con International, for "Legion", at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, California. Please attribute — Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3c/Aubrey_Plaza_%2843821242171%29.jpg/1280px-Aubrey_Plaza_%2843821242171%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Jean Smart](https://film.one/media/person/427/gallery-b7e098f744cb.jpg) Jean Smart — Image via TMDB - ![Jean Smart](https://film.one/media/person/427/gallery-304a4329b7bb.jpg) Jean Smart — Image via TMDB - ![Jean Smart](https://film.one/media/person/427/gallery-48d12dfb5c3e.jpg) Jean Smart — Image via TMDB - ![Ben Travers, John Cameron, Jeph Loeb, Nathaniel Halpern, Dan Stevens, Rachel Keller, Aubrey Plaza, Jean Smart, Bill Irwin, Amber Midthunder, Jeremie Harris and (2018)](https://film.one/media/person/427/gallery-a5914b2cad66.jpg) Ben Travers, John Cameron, Jeph Loeb, Nathaniel Halpern, Dan Stevens, Rachel Keller, Aubrey Plaza, Jean Smart, Bill Irwin, Amber Midthunder, Jeremie Harris and (2018) — Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e9/Ben_Travers%2C_John_Cameron%2C_Jeph_Loeb%2C_Nathaniel_Halpern%2C_Dan_Stevens%2C_Rachel_Keller%2C_Aubrey_Plaza%2C_Jean_Smart%2C_Bill_Irwin%2C_Amber_Midthunder%2C_Jeremie_Harris_%26_Navid_Negahban_%2842012505400%29.jpg/1280px-thumbnail.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![The cast of Designing Women on stage at the 41st Annual Emmy Awards, 9/17/89 - Photo taken from my balcony seat during the telecast - Permission granted to copy (1989)](https://film.one/media/person/427/gallery-7d798df9a033.jpg) The cast of Designing Women on stage at the 41st Annual Emmy Awards, 9/17/89 - Photo taken from my balcony seat during the telecast - Permission granted to copy (1989) — Alan Light, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cb/Cast_of_Designing_Women_%28255134550%29.jpg/1280px-Cast_of_Designing_Women_%28255134550%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Jean Smart](https://film.one/media/person/427/gallery-2ccd74f703ac.jpg) Jean Smart — Image via TMDB - ![Jean Smart](https://film.one/media/person/427/gallery-7888c6d2ca51.jpg) Jean Smart — Image via TMDB - ![Jean Smart](https://film.one/media/person/427/gallery-19ca8dd0f208.jpg) Jean Smart — Image via TMDB ## Awards ### Golden Globes — 3 won, 1 nominated - 2026: Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy (won), for *Hacks* - 2025: Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy (won), for *Hacks* - 2023: Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy (nominated), for *Hacks* - 2022: Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy (won), for *Hacks* ### Primetime Emmy Awards — 8 won, 1 nominated - 2026: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series (won), for *Hacks* - 2025: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series (won), for *Hacks* - 2024: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series (won), for *Hacks* - 2022: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series (won), for *Hacks* - 2021: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series (won), for *Hacks* - 2008: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series (won), for *Samantha Who?* - 2008: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie (nominated), for *Samantha Who?* - 2001: Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series (won), for *Frasier* - 2000: Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series (won), for *Frasier* ### SAG Awards — 3 won - 2025: Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series (won), for *Hacks* - 2023: Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series (won), for *Hacks* - 2022: Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series (won), for *Hacks* ### Other awards — 3 won, 1 nominated - Television Hall of Fame 2026: Television Hall of Fame (won) - star on Hollywood Walk of Fame 2022: star on Hollywood Walk of Fame (won) - Crystal Award 2021: Crystal Award (won) - Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play 2001: Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play (nominated) *From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.* --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/jean-smart