Jean Elizabeth Smart was born on 13 September 1951, in Seattle, Washington USA, and is an actress, probably best known for being the lead in the 1980s sitcom entitled “Designing Women”. However, she’s had numerous award-winning performances on stage and television, and all of her efforts have helped put her net worth to where it is today.
How rich is Jean Smart? As of early-2017, sources estimate a net worth of over $4 million, mostly earned through a successful career as an actress, including starring in the critically acclaimed series “Fargo”. As she continues her career, her wealth will likely increase.
Jean Smart Net Worth $4 million
At only 13 years old, Smart was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. She attended Ballard High School, and matriculated in 1969, becoming interested in acting too. She then attended the University of Washington’s Professional Actors Training Program.
After graduating, she appeared in several stage projects, performing mainly in the Pacific Northwest. In the mid-1970s, she moved to New York City, appearing in various off-Broadway productions; iIn 1980 she appeared as Lady Macbeth in Shakespeare’s play, and would then earn a Drama Desk Award nomination for her performance in the play “Last Summer at Bluefish Cove”. The following year, she appeared in the Broadway production of “Piaf”, playing Marlene Dietrich. Aside from her stage work, she started appearing on TV too, mostly in small roles. Some of her projects include “The Facts of Life” and “Remington Steel”, and she also appeared in the film “Flashpoint”. All of these endeavors were steadily increasing her net worth.
In 1985, Jean was cast in the lead role of Charlene Frazier Stillfield in the series “Designing Women” ; the show ran from 1986 to 1991, after which she started appearing in film roles, firstly in the comedy “Mistress” alongside Robert De Niro, and her performances continued to get critics’ attention. In 1993 she became a part of “Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey” and would also have a supporting role in “The Brady Bunch Movie” two years later. She was also cast in “High Society”, and the show lasted for 13 episodes. In 1999, she would get the lead role in “Forever Fabulous”, and the following year, she became a part of the series “Frasier”, winning two Emmy Awards for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series. Her critical success continued with a Tony Award nomination for her performance in a production of “The Man Who Came to Dinner”, these high profile roles increasing her net worth significantly, including being cast in “Sweet Home Alabama”, “Bringing Down the House”, and “Garden State”.
In 2002, Smart would venture into voice acting with the series “Kim Possible” , in the role of Dr. Ann Possible for the next five years. She also became part of the cast of “24”, receiving back to back Emmy nominations, and actually winning her third Emmy for her performance in “Samantha Who?” In 2015, she joined the second season of the series “Fargo”, which would win her a Critics Choice Television Awar, and the following year combining with John Lithgow and Ben Affleck in the film “The Accountant”.
For her personal life, it is known that Jean has been married to actor Richard Gilliland since 1987 with whom she has a son, and has adopted a daughter.
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series (2008), Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress - Comedy Series, Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Movie/Miniseries (2016)
Nominations
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series, Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or a Movie, Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series, Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album, Screen Actors Guild Award ...
Movies
“The Man Who Came to Dinner”, “Miss Meadows” (2014), “The Accountant” (2016), “Angie Tribeca” (2017), “Sweet Home Alabama”, “Bringing Down the House”, and “Garden State”
TV Shows
“Designing Women” (1985), “Mistress” (1986-1991), “Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey” (1993), “The Brady Bunch Movie”,“High Society”, “Forever Fabulous” (1999), “Frasier”
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Trademark
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Often portrays divorcees who are libertarian and free-willed (Youth in Revolt, Barry Munday)
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Quote
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I've never met a woman ever, anywhere, bar none, that was more feminine than Dixie Carter.
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Personally, I think life offers us the opportunity to take chances and make changes all the time.
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I quit smoking the day I found out I was pregnant, which was nine years ago. But I'll still smoke in a movie. I have other vices, you know, like potato chips and chardonnay - but not together.
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Lately, I just let myself eat it more because I think, 'Oh, my God, a piece of cheese tastes so good'. I think it's your body telling you something.
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You know as far as diet goes, for a while I was really obsessed with counting fat grams along with the rest of the world.
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We all fantasize about a relationship we'd like to do over or something we'd like to change about our past. I think there are a lot more opportunities for second chances in our lives than we think.
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I think that people get to a certain point in their life and they think that nothing can change.
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Fact
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Became a mother for the second time, at age 57, when she adopted her daughter, Bonnie Kathleen Gilliland (b.July 2008) in May 2009. Child's father is her husband, Richard Gilliland.
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Gave birth to her 1st child at age 38, a son Connor Douglas Gilliland on October 25, 1989. Child's father is her husband, Richard Gilliland.
Graduated from Ballard High School in Seattle, Washington, in 1969.
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Is a member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority.
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Met her husband when he guest-starred on Designing Women (1986). Delta Burke arranged for the two to meet.
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At age 13, Jean was diagnosed with diabetes. Originally planned to be a veterinarian, but got interested in theater during her senior year in high school. Studied theater at the University of Washington.
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She is the 2nd of 4 children. Her parents were a teacher and a homemaker.
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Left Designing Women (1986) in 1991 to pursue other projects and to focus on her family.
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Appeared in original cast of the Broadway show, "Piaf," 1979. Also appeared at Atlanta's Alliance Theatre, same year.
$4 Million
