Samantha Who? (Mondays, 9:30-10:00 p.m., ET)
JEAN SMART
Regina on the ABC Television Network's "Samantha Who?"
A versatile and gifted actress, Jean Smart continues to exhibit her extraordinary talents in theater, television and film. Since completing her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at the University of Washington, Smart's career has launched into worldwide critical acclaim. Before coming to Los Angeles, she made her Broadway debut in "Piaf" and originated the role of Lil in "Last Summer at Bluefish Cove" Off-Broadway, which earned her a Drama Desk nomination.
Smart most recently won an Emmy for Best Supporting Actress for her role in "Samantha Who." In January 2006, Smart received her fourth Emmy nomination for her role as the troubled and medicated First Lady Martha Logan on "24." That same year the show won the Emmy for Best Drama and received a Golden Globe nomination and a Screen Actors Guild nomination for Ensemble Cast. In 2001 she won her second Emmy Award for her guest-starring role on "Frasier," and was nominated for Guest Actress in a Drama Series for her recurring role on "The District." In 2000 she received recognition in film, television and theater -- she earned an Independent Spirit Award nomination for her critically acclaimed performance in the feature "Guinevere," opposite Sarah Polley, was awarded her first Emmy for her hilarious recurring role on "Frasier," and was nominated for a Tony for Best Actress in a Play for her role on Broadway opposite Nathan Lane in "The Man Who Came to Dinner."
She starred in the HBO drama series "Maximum Security," before starring in the popular sitcom "Designing Women." Several TV series and television films followed, including "Overkill," the critically acclaimed story of serial killer Aileen Wuornos, "High Society," in which she played neurotic novelist Ellie Walker, opposite Mary McDonnell (an Americanized version of the British phenomenon "Absolutely Fabulous"), Peter Tolan's comedy "Style and Substance," "In-Laws," opposite Dennis Farina, and "Center of the Universe," opposite John Goodman. In 2003 Smart starred with husband Richard Gilliland in the film "Audrey's Rain," for the Hallmark Channel.
Smart's upcoming films include "Youth in Revolt," directed by Miguel Arteta and co-starring Michael Cera, Ray Liotta and Steve Buscemi, and the just completed indy film "Barry Munday," directed by Chris D'Arienzo and co-starring Patrick Wilson, Colin Hanks, Chloe Sevigny and Malcolm McDowell. Both films are set to be released in 2008. She was recently seen in director Curtis Hanson's "Lucky You," opposite Eric Bana and Robert Duvall, and completed filming "Hero Wanted," starring Cuba Gooding, Jr. and Ray Liotta. Additionally, she appeared in "Garden State" for first-time director and writer Zach Braff, opposite Braff, Natalie Portman and Peter Sarsgaard, as well as "Mistress," with Danny Aiello and Robert DeNiro, and "Flashpoint," with Kris Kristofferson. She co-starred with Steve Martin and Queen Latifa in "Bringing Down the House," with Bruce Willis in Disney's "The Kid" and with Reese Witherspoon in "Sweet Home Alabama." She also appeared in David O. Russell's "I Heart Huckabees."
Smart currently resides in Los Angeles with her husband and son.
PERSONAL INFORMATION
HOMETOWN Seattle, WA
BIRTHDATE September 13
