
Jean Smart
ActingAbout Jean Smart
Jean Elizabeth Smart (born September 13, 1951) is an American actress. She has received numerous accolades including five Primetime Emmy Awards, a Golden Globe Award, four Critics' Choice Awards, and two Screen Actors Guild Awards as well as nominations for a Tony Award and a Grammy Award. Smart first gained prominence for her leading role as Charlene Frazier Stillfield on the CBS sitcom Designing Women, in which she starred from 1986 to 1991. She went on to win five Primetime Emmy Awards for her roles as Lana Gardner in the NBC series Frasier (2000–01), Regina Newley in the ABC sitcom Samantha Who? (2007–09), and Deborah Vance in the HBO Max comedy series Hacks (2021–present). She was Emmy-nominated for her roles in The District (2000–04), 24 (2006–07), Harry's Law (2011), Fargo (2015), Watchmen (2019) and Mare of Easttown (2021). She also acted in FX's Legion (2017–2019) and voiced Ann Possible in the Disney Channel animated series Kim Possible (2002–2007). On stage, she made her Broadway debut portraying Marlene Dietrich in the biographical play Piaf (1981). She returned to Broadway in the revival of The Man Who Came to Dinner (2000) for which she was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play. Smart's film credits include The Brady Bunch Movie (1995), Sweet Home Alabama (2002), Garden State (2004), I Heart Huckabees (2004), Youth in Revolt (2009), The Accountant (2016), A Simple Favor (2018), and Babylon (2022). She received an Independent Spirit Award nomination for Guinevere (1999). Description above from the Wikipedia article Jean Smart, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.
Career Statistics & Market Influence
Analyzing the cinematic journey of Jean Smart reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 50 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.
Genre Dominance: Drama
The majority of Jean Smart's filmography leans towards the Drama genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.
The "Box Office" Signature
With a 42% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Jean Smart remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in Garden State - The 20th Anniversary Concert, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.
Best Jean Smart Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Jean Smart's career based on audience ratings.
Complete Filmography & Success Status
Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Jean Smart.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Garden State - The 20th Anniversary Concert | Self - Presenter | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 2025 | Janis Ian: Breaking Silence | Self | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 2023 | Wildflower | Peg | Hit | Similar → |
| 2022 | Babylon | Elinor St. John | Hit | Similar → |
| 2022 | Celebrating Betty White: America's Golden Girl | Self | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 2021 | Senior Moment | Caroline Summers | Average | Similar → |
| 2020 | Superintelligence | President Monahan | Average | Similar → |
| 2018 | A Shoe Addict's Christmas | Charlie | Average | Similar → |
| 2018 | Life Itself | Linda Dempsey | Hit | Similar → |
| 2018 | A Simple Favor | Margaret McLanden | Hit | Similar → |
| 2016 | The Accountant | Rita Blackburn | Hit | Similar → |
| 2014 | Miss Meadows | Mother Meadows | Average | Similar → |
| 2014 | Warren | Claire Cavanee | Flop | Similar → |
| 2013 | When Calls the Heart | Frances Tunnecliffe | Hit | Similar → |
| 2013 | Call Me Crazy: A Five Film | Claire | Hit | Similar → |
| 2013 | Waking | Dr. Hinton | Flop | Similar → |
| 2012 | Hope Springs | Eileen, Kay's Friend | Average | Similar → |
| 2012 | William & Catherine: A Royal Romance | HRH Camilla | Flop | Similar → |
| 2010 | Life As We Know It | Helen Berenson (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 2010 | Barry Munday | Carol Munday | Average | Similar → |
| 2009 | Youth in Revolt | Estelle Twisp | Average | Similar → |
| 2008 | Hero Wanted | Melanie McQueen | Flop | Similar → |
| 2007 | Lucky You | Michelle Carson | Average | Similar → |
| 2005 | Kim Possible Movie: So the Drama | Dr. Ann Possible (voice) | Hit | Similar → |
| 2004 | I ♥ Huckabees | Mrs. Hooten | Average | Similar → |
| 2004 | Garden State | Carol | Hit | Similar → |
| 2004 | Balto III: Wings of Change | Stella (voice) | Hit | Similar → |
| 2003 | Kim Possible: A Sitch In Time | Dr. Ann Possible (voice) | Hit | Similar → |
| 2003 | Killer Instinct: From the Files of Agent Candice DeLong | Agent Candice DeLong | Hit | Similar → |
| 2003 | Bringing Down the House | Kate Sanderson | Average | Similar → |
| 2002 | Sweet Home Alabama | Stella Kay Perry | Average | Similar → |
| 2000 | The Man Who Came to Dinner | Lorraine Sheldon | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 2000 | The Kid | Deirdre Lefever | Hit | Similar → |
| 2000 | Snow Day | Laura Brandston | Flop | Similar → |
| 1999 | Guinevere | Deborah Sloane | Average | Similar → |
| 1998 | The Odd Couple II | Holly | Average | Similar → |
| 1996 | Undue Influence | Dana Colby | Average | Similar → |
| 1996 | Edie & Pen | Wendy the Waitress | Average | Similar → |
| 1995 | A Stranger in Town | Rose | Average | Similar → |
| 1995 | The Brady Bunch Movie | Mrs. Dena Dittmeyer | Average | Similar → |
| 1994 | The Yearling | Ory Baxter | Average | Similar → |
| 1994 | The Yarn Princess | Margaret Thomas | Average | Similar → |
| 1993 | Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey | Kate | Hit | Similar → |
| 1992 | Mistress | Patricia Riley | Average | Similar → |
| 1991 | Locked Up: A Mother’s Rage | Cathy | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1987 | Project X | Dr. Criswell | Average | Similar → |
| 1986 | A Fight for Jenny | Valerie Thomas | Hit | Similar → |
| 1986 | Fire with Fire | Sister Maria | Average | Similar → |
| 1984 | Protocol | Ella | Average | Similar → |
| 1984 | Flashpoint | Doris | Average | Similar → |
Jean Smart - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of Jean Smart?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Jean Smart is "Garden State - The 20th Anniversary Concert" with a rating of 10.0/10.
How many movies has Jean Smart acted in?
Jean Smart has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by Jean Smart?
Other notable films include "Celebrating Betty White: America's Golden Girl", "The Man Who Came to Dinner", and "Locked Up: A Mother’s Rage".




