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{{short description|American actress}}
{{short description|American actress (born 1930)}}
{{for multi|the Canadian ballet dancer|Lois Smith (dancer)|the American entertainment publicist|Lois Smith (publicist)}}
{{for multi|the Canadian ballet dancer|Lois Smith (dancer)|the American entertainment publicist|Lois Smith (publicist)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2018}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2018}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| image = Lois Smith at the 2017 International Film Festival Rotterdam.jpg
| image = Lois Smith at the 2017 International Film Festival Rotterdam.jpg
| caption = Smith in 2017
| caption = Smith in 2017
| birth_name = Lois Arlene Humbert
| birth_name = Lois Arlene Humbert
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1930|11|03|mf=y}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1930|11|03|mf=y}}
| birth_place = [[Topeka, Kansas]], U.S.
| birth_place = [[Topeka, Kansas]], U.S.
| death_date =
| yearsactive = 1952–present
| yearsactive = 1952–present
| occupation = Actress
| spouse = {{marriage|Wesley Smith<br />|1948|1970|end=divorced}}
| occupation = Actress
| spouse = {{marriage|Wesley Smith<br />|1948|1970|end=divorced}}
| children = 1
| children = 1
}}
}}


'''Lois Arlene Smith''' (née '''Humbert'''; born November 3, 1930) is an American character actress whose career spans eight decades.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.theatreinchicago.com/talk/interior.php?podshowID=152 |website=Theatre in Chicago| title= Lois Smith|date= March 10, 2008 |access-date= October 18, 2014}}</ref> She made her film debut in the 1955 drama film ''[[East of Eden (film)|East of Eden]]'', and later played supporting roles in a number of movies, including ''[[Five Easy Pieces]]'' (1970), ''[[Resurrection (1980 film)|Resurrection]]'' (1980), ''[[Fatal Attraction]]'' (1987), ''[[Fried Green Tomatoes]]'' (1991), ''[[Falling Down]]'' (1993), ''[[How to Make an American Quilt]]'' (1995), ''[[Dead Man Walking (film)|Dead Man Walking]]'' (1995), ''[[Twister (1996 film)|Twister]]'' (1996), ''[[Minority Report (film)|Minority Report]]'' (2002), ''[[The Nice Guys]]'' (2016), ''[[Lady Bird (film)|Lady Bird]]'' (2017), and ''[[The French Dispatch]]'' (2021).
'''Lois Arlene Smith''' (née '''Humbert'''; born November 3, 1930) is an American actress whose career spans eight decades.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.theatreinchicago.com/talk/interior.php?podshowID=152 |website=Theatre in Chicago| title= Lois Smith|date= March 10, 2008 |access-date= October 18, 2014}}</ref> She made her film debut in the 1955 drama film ''[[East of Eden (film)|East of Eden]]'', and later played supporting roles in a number of movies, including ''[[Five Easy Pieces]]'' (1970), ''[[Resurrection (1980 film)|Resurrection]]'' (1980), ''[[Fatal Attraction]]'' (1987), ''[[Fried Green Tomatoes]]'' (1991), ''[[Falling Down]]'' (1993), ''[[How to Make an American Quilt]]'' (1995), ''[[Dead Man Walking (film)|Dead Man Walking]]'' (1995), ''[[Twister (1996 film)|Twister]]'' (1996), ''[[Minority Report (film)|Minority Report]]'' (2002), ''[[The Nice Guys]]'' (2016), ''[[Lady Bird (film)|Lady Bird]]'' (2017), and ''[[The French Dispatch]]'' (2021).


In 2017, Smith received critical acclaim for her leading performance in the science-fiction drama film ''[[Marjorie Prime]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/critics-notebook-marjorie-prime-lois-smith-greatest-screen-role-1058012|title=Critic's Notebook: In 'Marjorie Prime,' Lois Smith Gets Her Greatest Screen Role|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=November 27, 2017 |access-date=January 9, 2019}}</ref><ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=http://www.playbill.com/article/lois-smith-marjorie-prime-star-once-more-holds-on-to-her-own-memories|title=How Lois Smith Translated Her Groundbreaking Marjorie Prime From Stage to Screen and Back|first=Ryan|last=McPhee|date=November 25, 2017|website=Playbill|access-date=January 9, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-lois-smith-marjorie-prime-20170817-story.html|title=The low-key dominance of Lois Smith, star of new film 'Marjorie Prime'|first=Steven|last=Zeitchik|website=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=January 9, 2019|date=August 20, 2017}}</ref> for which she was nominated for an [[Independent Spirit Awards]], [[Gotham Awards]] and [[Saturn Award]], and won a [[Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture|Satellite Award]]. She has also had many roles on daytime and primetime television. She was a regular cast member in the HBO horror drama ''[[True Blood]]'', and received a [[Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Guest Performer in a Drama Series]] nomination for ''[[The Americans]]''.
In 2017, Smith received critical acclaim for her leading performance in the science-fiction drama film ''[[Marjorie Prime]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/critics-notebook-marjorie-prime-lois-smith-greatest-screen-role-1058012|title=Critic's Notebook: In 'Marjorie Prime,' Lois Smith Gets Her Greatest Screen Role|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=November 27, 2017 |access-date=January 9, 2019}}</ref><ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=http://www.playbill.com/article/lois-smith-marjorie-prime-star-once-more-holds-on-to-her-own-memories|title=How Lois Smith Translated Her Groundbreaking Marjorie Prime From Stage to Screen and Back|first=Ryan|last=McPhee|date=November 25, 2017|website=Playbill|access-date=January 9, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-lois-smith-marjorie-prime-20170817-story.html|title=The low-key dominance of Lois Smith, star of new film 'Marjorie Prime'|first=Steven|last=Zeitchik|website=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=January 9, 2019|date=August 20, 2017}}</ref> for which she was nominated for an [[Independent Spirit Awards]], [[Gotham Awards]] and [[Saturn Award]], and won a [[Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture|Satellite Award]]. She has also had many roles on daytime and primetime television. She was a regular cast member in the HBO horror drama ''[[True Blood]]'', and received a [[Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Guest Performer in a Drama Series]] nomination for ''[[The Americans]]''.
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She was inducted into the [[American Theater Hall of Fame|American Theatre Hall of Fame]] in 2007 for her outstanding contributions to the theatre.<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.theaterhalloffame.org/members.html#S |title= Theater Hall of Fame Members| publisher= TheaterHallofFame.org| access-date= October 15, 2014}}</ref> In 2013, she received a Lifetime Achievement [[Obie Award]] for excellence in Off-Broadway performances. She has taught, directed, and written for the stage.<ref>{{cite news| url= http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/04/02/lois-smith-and-frances-sternhagen-to-share-obie-lifetime-achievement-award/ | title= Lois Smith and Frances Sternhagen to Share Obie Lifetime Achievement Award |work= New York Times Blog | first= Felicia R. |last= Lee |date= April 2, 2013 |access-date= October 15, 2014}}</ref>
She was inducted into the [[American Theater Hall of Fame|American Theatre Hall of Fame]] in 2007 for her outstanding contributions to the theatre.<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.theaterhalloffame.org/members.html#S |title= Theater Hall of Fame Members| publisher= TheaterHallofFame.org| access-date= October 15, 2014}}</ref> In 2013, she received a Lifetime Achievement [[Obie Award]] for excellence in Off-Broadway performances. She has taught, directed, and written for the stage.<ref>{{cite news| url= http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/04/02/lois-smith-and-frances-sternhagen-to-share-obie-lifetime-achievement-award/ | title= Lois Smith and Frances Sternhagen to Share Obie Lifetime Achievement Award |work= New York Times Blog | first= Felicia R. |last= Lee |date= April 2, 2013 |access-date= October 15, 2014}}</ref>


==Personal life==
==Early life==
Smith was born Lois Arlene Humbert in [[Topeka, Kansas|Topeka]], Kansas, the youngest of six children of Carrie (née Gottshalk<ref>[https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JGMV-46N Carrie Humbert] at FamilySearch.org; accessed 10/18/14</ref>) and William Humbert, who worked for a telephone company. Her father died in 1950 at age 54.<ref>[https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N3YB-MM4 William Humbert] at FamilySearch.org; accessed 10/18/14</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/person/179886%7C100123/Lois-Smith/ |title= Overview for Lois Smith |publisher=Turner Classic Movies |access-date= October 18, 2014}}</ref> Her family included her two sisters, Alice and Marvelle, and three brothers, William, Dilman, and Phillip, all of whom are now deceased. Her father moved the family to Seattle when Lois was 11 years old, and he was involved heavily in the church, staging plays there in which young Lois performed. She studied theatre at the [[University of Washington]] but did not graduate. At age 18, she married Wesley Dale Smith, whom she met in college; they divorced in 1970. They had one daughter, Moon Elizabeth Smith.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.filmreference.com/film/56/Lois-Smith.html |title= Lois Smith profile |website=FilmReference.com |access-date= October 18, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://soundcloud.com/american-theatre-wing/episode327|title=Lois Smith from "The Illusion"|access-date=October 18, 2014}}</ref>
Smith was born Lois Arlene Humbert in [[Topeka, Kansas|Topeka]], Kansas, the youngest of six children of Carrie (née Gottshalk<ref>[https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JGMV-46N Carrie Humbert] at FamilySearch.org; accessed 10/18/14</ref>) and William Humbert, who worked for a telephone company. Her father died in 1950 at age 54.<ref>[https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N3YB-MM4 William Humbert] at FamilySearch.org; accessed 10/18/14</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/person/179886%7C100123/Lois-Smith/ |title= Overview for Lois Smith |publisher=Turner Classic Movies |access-date= October 18, 2014}}</ref> Her family included her two sisters, Alice and Marvelle, and three brothers, William, Dilman, and Phillip, all of whom are now deceased. Her father moved the family to Seattle when Lois was 11 years old, and he was involved heavily in the church, staging plays there in which young Lois performed. She studied theatre at the [[University of Washington]] but did not graduate. At age 18, she married Wesley Dale Smith, whom she met in college; they divorced in 1970. They had one daughter, Moon Elizabeth Smith.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.filmreference.com/film/56/Lois-Smith.html |title= Lois Smith profile |website=FilmReference.com |access-date= October 18, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://soundcloud.com/american-theatre-wing/episode327|title=Lois Smith from "The Illusion"|access-date=October 18, 2014}}</ref>


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===Television===
===Television===
Smith made her television debut in 1953 on ''[[Kraft Television Theatre]]''. In 1954, she appeared as the daughter of [[Mary Astor]] in a ''[[Studio One (CBS series)|Studio One]]'' production. She performed on many series through the 1950s and 1960s, guest-starring on ''[[Naked City (TV series)|Naked City]]'', ''[[The Doctors (soap opera)|The Doctors]]'', ''[[Dr. Kildare (TV series)|Dr. Kildare]]'', and ''[[The Defenders (1961 TV series)|The Defenders]]''. In 1956, she appeared with [[John Cassavetes]] in ''Bring Me a Dream'', a teleplay by John Vlahos, and she appeared as Felicia in ''Noon on Doomsday'', written by [[Rod Serling]]. In 1959, she was given the lead role of Cindy in the teleplay ''Cindy's Fella'', a modernized version of Cinderella, with [[James Stewart]] and directed by [[Gower Champion]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1959/09/26/archives/lois-smith-signs-for-nbctv-role-to-star-with-stewart-and-gobel-in.html |title=Lois Smith Signs for N.B.C.-TV Role; To Star With Stewart and Gobel in 'Cindy's Fella' -- C.B.S. Lists 'Sky King' |work=The New York Times |date=September 26, 1959 |access-date=2024-02-27 |last1=Shepard |first1=Richard F. }}</ref>
Smith made her television debut in 1953 on ''[[Kraft Television Theatre]]''. In 1954, she appeared as the daughter of [[Mary Astor]] in a ''[[Studio One (CBS series)|Studio One]]'' production. On December 26, 1955, she starred as Swedish [[opera singer]] [[Jenny Lind]] in Sandra Michael's "The Second Day of Christmas", an episode of ''[[Robert Montgomery Presents]]'' that portrays the relationship between Lind and [[Hans Christian Andersen]].<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/image/458870930/?clipping_id=148732143 "Today's Tops in TV"]. ''The San Francisco Examiner''. December 26, 1955. p.&nbsp;23. Retrieved June 10, 2024.</ref> Smith performed on many series through the 1950s and 1960s, guest-starring on ''[[Naked City (TV series)|Naked City]]'', ''[[The Doctors (soap opera)|The Doctors]]'', ''[[Dr. Kildare (TV series)|Dr. Kildare]]'', and ''[[The Defenders (1961 TV series)|The Defenders]]''. In 1956, she appeared with [[John Cassavetes]] in ''Bring Me a Dream'', a teleplay by John Vlahos, and she appeared as Felicia in ''Noon on Doomsday'', written by [[Rod Serling]]. In 1959, she was given the lead role of Cindy in the teleplay ''Cindy's Fella'', a modernized version of Cinderella, with [[James Stewart]] and directed by [[Gower Champion]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1959/09/26/archives/lois-smith-signs-for-nbctv-role-to-star-with-stewart-and-gobel-in.html |title=Lois Smith Signs for N.B.C.-TV Role; To Star With Stewart and Gobel in 'Cindy's Fella' -- C.B.S. Lists 'Sky King' |work=The New York Times |date=September 26, 1959 |access-date=2024-02-27 |last1=Shepard |first1=Richard F. }}</ref>


In 1960, she performed in ''[[The Master Builder]]'' as Hilda and as Julie in ''[[Miss Julie]]'' in public television specials. Also in 1960, she appeared as Lena in a teleplay based on ''[[Victory (novel)|Victory]]'' by [[Joseph Conrad]], and in a teleplay version of ''[[Men in White (play)|Men In White]]'' by [[Sidney Kingsley]] as Barbara Dennin. She did four episodes of ''[[Route 66 (TV series)|Route 66]],'' and in 1967 performed in ''Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night'' on CBS Playhouse with [[Shirley Booth]]. In 1970, she performed with [[Kim Stanley]] in a television special of [[Tennessee Williams]]'s plays, ''Dragon Country''.
In 1960, she performed in ''[[The Master Builder]]'' as Hilda and as Julie in ''[[Miss Julie]]'' in public television specials. Also in 1960, she appeared as Lena in a teleplay based on ''[[Victory (novel)|Victory]]'' by [[Joseph Conrad]], and in a teleplay version of ''[[Men in White (play)|Men In White]]'' by [[Sidney Kingsley]] as Barbara Dennin. She did four episodes of ''[[Route 66 (TV series)|Route 66]],'' and in 1967 performed in ''Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night'' on CBS Playhouse with [[Shirley Booth]]. In 1970, she performed with [[Kim Stanley]] in a television special of [[Tennessee Williams]]'s plays, ''Dragon Country''.
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Latest revision as of 08:14, 10 September 2024

For the Canadian ballet dancer, see Lois Smith (dancer). For the American entertainment publicist, see Lois Smith (publicist).

Lois Smith
Smith in 2017
Born
Lois Arlene Humbert

(1930-11-03) November 3, 1930 (age 94)
Topeka, Kansas, U.S.
OccupationActress
Years active1952–present
Spouse
Wesley Smith
​
​
(m. 1948; div. 1970)​
Children1

Lois Arlene Smith (née Humbert; born November 3, 1930) is an American actress whose career spans eight decades.[1] She made her film debut in the 1955 drama film East of Eden, and later played supporting roles in a number of movies, including Five Easy Pieces (1970), Resurrection (1980), Fatal Attraction (1987), Fried Green Tomatoes (1991), Falling Down (1993), How to Make an American Quilt (1995), Dead Man Walking (1995), Twister (1996), Minority Report (2002), The Nice Guys (2016), Lady Bird (2017), and The French Dispatch (2021).

In 2017, Smith received critical acclaim for her leading performance in the science-fiction drama film Marjorie Prime,[2][3][4] for which she was nominated for an Independent Spirit Awards, Gotham Awards and Saturn Award, and won a Satellite Award. She has also had many roles on daytime and primetime television. She was a regular cast member in the HBO horror drama True Blood, and received a Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Guest Performer in a Drama Series nomination for The Americans.

Smith also is known for her extensive work in the theatre. A three-time Tony Award nominee, she won the 2020 Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play for her performance in The Inheritance, becoming the oldest performer to win a Tony Award for acting. She also received Tony nominations for her performances in The Grapes of Wrath (1990) and Buried Child (1996). She starred in an acclaimed Off-Broadway revival of The Trip to Bountiful in 2005 for which she received an Obie Award for Best Actress, an Outer Critics Circle Award, a Lucille Lortel Award, and a Drama Desk Award. She is an ensemble member of Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago.

She was inducted into the American Theatre Hall of Fame in 2007 for her outstanding contributions to the theatre.[5] In 2013, she received a Lifetime Achievement Obie Award for excellence in Off-Broadway performances. She has taught, directed, and written for the stage.[6]

Early life

[edit]

Smith was born Lois Arlene Humbert in Topeka, Kansas, the youngest of six children of Carrie (née Gottshalk[7]) and William Humbert, who worked for a telephone company. Her father died in 1950 at age 54.[8][9] Her family included her two sisters, Alice and Marvelle, and three brothers, William, Dilman, and Phillip, all of whom are now deceased. Her father moved the family to Seattle when Lois was 11 years old, and he was involved heavily in the church, staging plays there in which young Lois performed. She studied theatre at the University of Washington but did not graduate. At age 18, she married Wesley Dale Smith, whom she met in college; they divorced in 1970. They had one daughter, Moon Elizabeth Smith.[10][11]

Around 1951, Smith and her husband decided to leave Seattle for New York City to begin their professional careers. After she worked with Elia Kazan on East of Eden, he encouraged her to study with Lee Strasberg at the Actors Studio, which she did. She was also mentored in her early years in New York City by John Van Druten.

Career

[edit]

Theatre

[edit]

Smith made her Broadway debut in 1952 at age 22 in the play Time Out for Ginger as Joan, with Nancy Malone as Ginger and Melvyn Douglas as their father. She followed this in 1955 with The Wisteria Trees, a play that starred Helen Hayes. In 1956, she performed with Hayes in The Glass Menagerie. Also in 1955, she was given the lead role of Josephine Perry in Sally Benson's play The Young and Beautiful, which ran for 65 performances at the Longacre Theatre.[12]

In 1957, Smith originated the role of Carol Cutrere in Orpheus Descending by Tennessee Williams, which also starred Maureen Stapleton. In 1958, she was directed by José Ferrer in Edwin Booth.

From 1965 to 1967, Smith starred in several plays as a company member with the Theatre of the Living Arts in Philadelphia with Andre Gregory. She is a lifetime member of Ensemble Studio Theatre, founded by Curt Dempster in 1968.

In 1973, she returned to Broadway to appear in a revival of The Iceman Cometh by Eugene O'Neill. In 1975, she performed the role of Gaby in Corinne Jacker's play Harry Outside. She also played the lead female role in Steve Tesich's play Touching Bottoms in 1978. In 1979, she played the role of Denise in Elizabeth Stearns's play Hillbilly Women at the Long Wharf Theatre. In 1987, she played Jessie Bliss in Darrah Cloud's The Stick Wife with the Hartford Stage Company.

In 1988, Smith was cast with the Steppenwolf Theatre Company of Chicago as Ma Joad in the play The Grapes of Wrath, an adaptation of the 1939 Steinbeck novel. Smith originated the stage role, and after going on tour, the production reached Broadway in 1990 and Smith earned a Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actress in a Play.[13]

Also in 1988, Smith originated the role of Mrs. Campbell in Horton Foote's The Man Who Climbed the Pecan Trees. In 1989, she played Mistress Overdone in an Off-Broadway production of William Shakespeare's Measure for Measure.

Smith has been an ensemble member of the Steppenwolf Theatre Company since 1993. She is a lifetime member of Ensemble Studio Theatre, founded by Curt Dempster in 1968.

In 1995, Smith starred as Halie in a revival of Buried Child by Sam Shepard at the Steppenwolf Theatre Company that transferred to Broadway in 1996, and for which she received her second nomination for the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play. In 1997, Smith played the role of Betty in Defying Gravity by Jane Anderson Off-Broadway. In 1998, she played Kandall Kingsley in Beth Henley's Impossible Marriage. In 2001, she starred in the title role of Mother Courage and Her Children, and in 2002 she starred as Fanny Cavendish in a revival of The Royal Family, both with the Steppenwolf Theatre Company.[12]

In 2005, Smith starred in an Off-Broadway production of The Trip to Bountiful as Carrie Watts with the Signature Theatre Company, for which she received an Obie Award for Best Actress, an Outer Critics Circle Award, a Lucille Lortel Award, and a Drama Desk Award.

In 2010, Smith played Vera in Amy Herzog's After the Revolution, for which she was nominated for a Lucille Lortel Award. In 2012 she originated the role of Mable Murphy in Sam Shepard's play Heartless, and in 2013, she starred in a revival of Horton Foote's My Old Friends. In 2014, she starred in a new play by Jordan Harrison, Marjorie Prime, originating the title role at the Mark Taper Forum.[14] She was featured in Annie Baker's play John, which opened Off-Broadway at the Signature Theatre Company on July 22, 2015, and ran to September 6.[15]

In 2018, she took on the leading role[16] in Brooklyn College student Lily Thorne's Peace for Mary Frances.[17] The drama, directed by Lila Neugebauer,[18] was given its world premiere by off-Broadway's The New Group at the Pershing Square Signature Center in New York. Smith's performance was praised, but the play received negative reviews from a variety of outlets from The New York Times[19] to The Hollywood Reporter[20] and The Wrap.[21]

Film

[edit]
Smith in 1955, Warner Bros. studio publicity photo

Smith made her film debut in 1955 directed by Elia Kazan in the drama film East of Eden with James Dean, Julie Harris, and Jo Van Fleet. Her next film was the western Strange Lady in Town. In November 1955, she was featured on the cover of Life magazine.[22] Smith then focused on television work, not making a film until The Way We Live Now in 1970. She then earned critical acclaim for her role as Partita Dupea, the sister of Jack Nicholson's character in Five Easy Pieces (1970), and Smith won the National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Supporting Actress.[23]

Supporting roles in films in the 1970s and 1980s included Up the Sandbox, Next Stop, Greenwich Village, Resurrection, Foxes, Four Friends, Reuben, Reuben, Reckless, Black Widow, Fatal Attraction, and Midnight Run.

Supporting roles in the 1990s and 2000s included Green Card, Fried Green Tomatoes, How to Make an American Quilt, Falling Down, Holy Matrimony, Dead Man Walking, Twister, Tumbleweeds, The Pledge, Minority Report, P.S., Sweet Land, Hollywoodland, and Killshot. In the 2010s, Smith played supporting roles in Please Give, The Nice Guys, The Comedian, and the documentary The Gettysburg Address.

In 2017, Smith appeared in the science-fiction drama film Marjorie Prime,[22] for which she won the Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actress at the 22nd ceremony. Later that year, she had a supporting role in the critically acclaimed comedy-drama Lady Bird, receiving a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture nomination.[24] She was later cast in The French Dispatch, a drama film written and directed by Wes Anderson.[25]

Television

[edit]

Smith made her television debut in 1953 on Kraft Television Theatre. In 1954, she appeared as the daughter of Mary Astor in a Studio One production. On December 26, 1955, she starred as Swedish opera singer Jenny Lind in Sandra Michael's "The Second Day of Christmas", an episode of Robert Montgomery Presents that portrays the relationship between Lind and Hans Christian Andersen.[26] Smith performed on many series through the 1950s and 1960s, guest-starring on Naked City, The Doctors, Dr. Kildare, and The Defenders. In 1956, she appeared with John Cassavetes in Bring Me a Dream, a teleplay by John Vlahos, and she appeared as Felicia in Noon on Doomsday, written by Rod Serling. In 1959, she was given the lead role of Cindy in the teleplay Cindy's Fella, a modernized version of Cinderella, with James Stewart and directed by Gower Champion.[27]

In 1960, she performed in The Master Builder as Hilda and as Julie in Miss Julie in public television specials. Also in 1960, she appeared as Lena in a teleplay based on Victory by Joseph Conrad, and in a teleplay version of Men In White by Sidney Kingsley as Barbara Dennin. She did four episodes of Route 66, and in 1967 performed in Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night on CBS Playhouse with Shirley Booth. In 1970, she performed with Kim Stanley in a television special of Tennessee Williams's plays, Dragon Country.

In 1978, Smith played the lead role of Stacey MacAindra in the teleplay Stacey based on Margaret Laurence's The Fire Dwellers. In 1980, she appeared in the television film The Jilting of Granny Weatherall as the daughter of Geraldine Fitzgerald, and in 1981 played Bertha in a television film version of The House of Mirth.

She played supporting roles in the Emmy-nominated TV films Rage of Angels (1983), The Execution of Raymond Graham (1985), Switched at Birth (1991) and Skylark (1993). She guest-starred on two episodes of The Equalizer and one episode of Thirtysomething in 1991.

In 1991, she portrayed Alice, the mother of Thelma Todd, in White Hot: The Mysterious Murder of Thelma Todd and in 1995 portrayed Margaret, the mother of Bess Truman in the Emmy-nominated television film Truman. She guest-starred on episodes of The Practice, Frasier, Just Shoot Me!, Touched by an Angel, Cold Case and Law & Order.

In 2002, Smith appeared in The Laramie Project and in 2004 she portrayed Anna Howard Shaw in the Emmy-nominated film Iron Jawed Angels. In 2007, she guest-starred on four episodes of ER and in 2009 in A Dog Year with Jeff Bridges. She played Adele Stackhouse, the grandmother of Anna Paquin's character on True Blood and played the mother-in-law of Felicity Huffman's character on Desperate Housewives.

In 2015, Smith was nominated for a Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Guest Performer for her role in an episode of The Americans.[28] In 2017 she guest-starred in "The Gun", episode five of the third season of the Netflix series Grace and Frankie, as Mrs. Hanson, the vituperative mother of Martin Sheen's character Robert. Also in 2017, she guest-starred in "In the Pink", episode 4 of season 4 of Younger, as Belinda Lacroix, a Barbara Cartland-type romance novelist. In 2019, she guest-starred in Mom as Claire, Bonnie and Tammy's former caretaker at the old foster home.

In 2024, Smith appeared in several episodes of Law & Order: Organized Crime as "Mama Boone", matriarch of a honey farm used as a front for heroin distribution.

Soap opera fans have seen Smith on daytime in many recurring and guest-starring roles over the years, as the psychotic wife Zoe Cannell on Somerset (1972–1974), Eleanor Conrad on The Doctors (1975–1977), Ella Fitz (the co-conspirator of evil Alma Rudder) on Another World (1982–1983), Mrs. Oakes on The Edge of Night (1983), Elwinna Pendergast on All My Children, and as Dorian's imperious aunt Betsy Cramer on One Life to Live (2003–2004).

Filmography

[edit]

Film

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1955 East of Eden Anne
Strange Lady in Town Spurs O'Brien
1970 The Way We Live Now Jane Aldridge
Five Easy Pieces Partita Dupea
1972 Up the Sandbox Elinore
1976 Next Stop, Greenwich Village Anita Cunningham
1980 Foxes Mrs. Axman
Resurrection Kathy
1981 Four Friends Mrs. Carnahan
1983 Reuben, Reuben Mare Spofford
1984 Reckless Mrs. Prescott
1986 Twisted Helen Giles
1987 Black Widow Sara
Fatal Attraction Martha
1988 Midnight Run Helen Nelson
1990 Green Card Brontë's Parent
1991 Hard Promises Mrs. Bell
Fried Green Tomatoes Mama Threadgoode
1993 Falling Down D-Fens' Mother
1994 Holy Matrimony Orna
1995 How to Make an American Quilt Sophia
Dead Man Walking Helen's Mother
1996 Twister Meg Greene
Larger than Life Luluna
1997 Hudson River Blues Julia
1998 Trance Mrs. Ferriter
1999 Tumbleweeds Ginger
2001 The Pledge Helen Jackson
Powder Keg Mother Segment: The Hire
2002 Minority Report Dr. Iris Hineman
The Laramie Project Lucy Thompson
2003 A Foreign Affair Ma Adams
Red Betsy Helen Rounds
2004 The Best Thief in the World Helen
Iron Jawed Angels Rev. Dr. Anna Howard Shaw
P.S. Ellie Silverstein
2005 Sweet Land Old Inge
2006 Little Fugitive Social Worker
Hollywoodland Helen Bessolo
Griffin & Phoenix Dr. Imberman
2007 Turn the River Abby
2008 Diminished Capacity Belle Tyke
Killshot Lenore
2009 A Dog Year Lois Blair
2010 Please Give Mrs. Portman
2011 Roadie Mom
2012 The Odd Life of Timothy Green Aunt Mel
2013 Two Altars and a Cave Helena Short film
2015 Run All Night Margaret Conlon
2016 The Nice Guys Mrs. Glenn
The Comedian Miriam
2017 Marjorie Prime Marjorie
Lady Bird Sister Sarah Joan
2020 Uncle Frank Aunt Butch
Tesla The Grand Dame
2021 The French Dispatch Upshur "Maw" Clampette
2022 Mack & Rita Betty
2024 The Uninvited Helen

Television

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1951 Love of Life Mrs. Bendarik
1953 Pond's Theatre Performer Episode: "The Apple Tree"
1954 Studio One Barbara Sparling Episode: "Jack Sperling, Forty-six"
1955 Star Tonight Performer 2 episodes
1955 Justice Performer Episode: "The Girl Without a Name"
1955 Robert Montgomery Presents Jenny Lind Episode: "The Second Day of Christmas"
1956 The United States Steel Hour Felicia Chinik - Jeannie 2 episodes
1957–58 Matinee Theater Performer 2 episodes
1958 The Ed Sullivan Show Actor - Scene from Edwin Booth Episode: #12.15
1959 Startime Cindy Episode: "Cindy's Fella"
1960 Strindberg on Love Miss Julie Television movie
1960 The Master Builder Hilda Television movie
1960 The Play of the Week Hilde Wangel - Miss Julie 2 episodes
1960 The Art Carney Special Lena Episode: "Victory"
1960 DuPont Show of the Month Barbara Dennin Episode: "Men in White"
1961 The Loretta Young Show Jenny Musgrave Episode: "When Queens Ride By"
1961 'Way Out Performer Episode: "The Sisters"
1961 Naked City Dawn Garrison Episode: "Strike a Statue"
1962 The Defenders Esther Terranova Episode: "The Invisible Badge"
1963 Dr. Kildare Libby Clayton Episode: "To Each His Own Prison"
1961–64 Route 66 Various 4 episodes
1964 The Eleventh Hour Jane Wells Episode: "A Pattern of Sundays"
1967 CBS Playhouse Evelyn Episode: "Do Not Go in Gentle to That Goodnight"
1970 Dragon Country Performer Television movie
1972 Particular Men Anne Starr Television movie
1972–74 Somerset Zoe Cannell Unknown episodes
1975–77 The Doctors Eleanor Conrad 253 episodes
1978 Stacey Stacey Television movie
1980 The Jilting of Granny Weatherall Cornelia Television movie
1981 The House of Mirth Bertha Dorset Television movie
1982 ABC Afterschool Special Margaret Episode: "The Unforgivable Secret"
1982–83 Another World Ella Fitz 2 episodes
1983 Rage of Angels Clara Television special
1984 The Edge of Night Mrs. Oakes 2 episodes
1984 Tales of the Unexpected Sara Episode: "Proxy"
1985 Becoming Helen Keller Anne Sullivan (older) Documentary, American Masters
1985 The Execution of Raymond Graham Mary Neal Television movie
1985 Doubletake Sarah Parts 1 & 2
1986 Adam's Apple Dora Adams Television movie
1985, 1987 The Equalizer Dorothy Hermes - Marie Ganucci 2 episodes
1988 Spenser: For Hire Elsie Episode: "Haunting"
1991 Good Sports Mrs. Tanen Episode: "Pros and Ex-Cons"
1991 American Playhouse Ma Joad Episode: "The Grapes of Wrath"
1991 Thirtysomething Mrs. Warren Episode: "The Wedding"
1991 Switched at Birth Margaret Miniseries
1991 White Hot: The Mysterious Murder of Thelma Todd Alice Todd Television movie
1992 Keep the Change Lureen Television movie
1992 Deadly Matrimony Performer Television movie
1993 Skylark Lou Wheaton Television movie
1993 Missing Persons Mrs. Halloran Episode: "Sometimes You Can't Help Getting Involved"
1995 Truman Madge Wallace Gates Television movie
1997 Frasier Moira Episode: "Roz's Krantz & Gouldenstein Are Dead"
1997 The Practice Mary Beth Berluti Episode: "The Civil Right"
1998 A Will of Their Own Miss Maude Episode: #1.01
2000 Just Shoot Me! Libby Episode: "When Nina Met Her Parents"
2001 Going to California Beatrice Graf Episode: "Apocalypse Cow"
2002 The Laramie Project Lucy Thompson Television movie
2002 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Rebecca Tolliver Episode: "Competence"
2002 Touched by an Angel Mildred Mancini Episode: "A Rock and a Hard Place"
2003–04 One Life to Live Betsy Cramer 15 episodes
2004 Iron Jawed Angels Anna Shaw Television movie
2004 Law & Order: Criminal Intent Betty Bennett Episode: "The Saint"
2004 LAX Rose Sinclair Episode: "Credible Threat"
2004 Cold Case Fanny Episode: "Factory Girls"
2005 Law & Order Mrs. Varick Episode: "Sport of Kings"
2006 Grey's Anatomy Mrs. Dickerson Episode: "From a Whisper to a Scream"
2007 ER Gracie 4 episodes
2009 Army Wives Elsie Episode: "As Time Goes By"
2010 Desperate Housewives Allison Scavo 2 episodes
2012 Ruth & Erica Ruth 7 episodes
2012 Dark Horse Mrs. Ruth Television movie
2008–14 True Blood Adele Stackhouse 12 episodes
2015 The Americans Betty Turner Episode: "Do Mail Robots Dream of Electric Sheep?"
2017 The Affair Mrs. Gunther Episode: #3.07
2017 The Blacklist Lucy Game Episode: "The Architect"
2017 Grace and Frankie Mrs. Hanson 2 episodes
2017 Younger Belinda Lacroix Episode: "In the Pink"
2017 9JKL Wrong Nana Episode: "Make Thanksgiving Great Again"
2018 Sneaky Pete Reverend Ethel Landry 2 episodes
2018 Impulse Deidre 'Dippy' Jones Episode: "The Eagle and the Bee"
2019 The Village Velma Pilot
2019 Mom Claire Episode: "Triple Dip and an Overhand Grip"
2019 The Son Jeanne Anne McCullough 5 episodes
2019 On Becoming a God in Central Florida Mimi Waldenstock 2 episodes
2019–20 Ray Donovan Dolores 4 episodes
2023 This Fool Beverly Engelbartson 1 episode
2024 Law & Order: Organized Crime Mama Episodes "Semper Fi","Crossroads","Redcoat"

Theatre

[edit]

Broadway

[edit]
Year Title Role Venue Ref.
1952 Time Out for Ginger Joan Lyceum Theatre [29]
1955 The Wisteria Trees Antoinette New York City Center
1955 The Young and Beautiful Josephine Perry Longacre Theatre
1957 Orpheus Descending Carol Cutrere Martin Beck Theatre
1958 Edwin Booth Mary Devlin 46th Street Theatre
1963 Bicyle Ride to Nevada Lucha Moreno Cort Theatre
1973 The Iceman Cometh Cora Circle in the Square
1978 Stages Various Belasco Theatre
1990 The Grapes of Wrath Ma Joad Cort Theatre
1996 Buried Child Halie Brooks Atkinson Theatre
2019–20 The Inheritance - Part II Margaret Ethel Barrymore Theatre

Off Broadway

[edit]
Year Title Role Venue
1956 The Glass Menagerie Laura Wingfield New York City Center
1970 Sunday Dinner Mary American Place Theatre, Off-Broadway
1972 Present Tense Various Sheridan Square Playhouse, Off-Broadway
1978 Touching Bottom Performer American Place Theatre, Off-Broadway
1982 The Front Page Mollie Malloy Long Wharf Theatre Mainstage, CT
1985 The Vienna Notes Rivers Second Stage Theater, Off-Broadway
1986 Brighton Beach Memoirs Blanche Morton ACT, A Contemporary Theater, Seattle
1987 Bodies, Rest and Motion Mrs. Dotson Lincoln Center Theatre, Off-Broadway
1987 The Stick Wife Jessie Bliss Hartford Stage, CT
1988 The Grapes of Wrath Performer Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Chicago
1989 Measure for Measure Mistress Overdone Lincoln Center Theatre, Off-Broadway
1989 Beside Herself Mary Circle Repertory Theatre, Off-Broadway
1992 Dog Logic Anita The American Place Theatre, NY
1993 Escape from Happiness Nora Yale Repertory Theatre, CT
1994 The Mesmerist Performer Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Chicago
1995 Buried Child Halie Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Chicago
1997 Defying Gravity Betty The American Place Theatre, Off-Broadway
1998 Impossible Marriage Kendall Kingsley Laura Pels Theatre, Off-Broadway
1999–2000 Give Me Your Answer, Do! Maggie Donovan Roundabout Theatre Company, Off-Broadway
2001 Mother Courage and Her Children Performer Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Chicago
2005 Absolute Hell Julia Shillitoe Roundabout Theatre Company Stage Reading
2005–06 The Trip to Bountiful Mrs. Carrie Watts Signature Theatre Company, Off-Broadway
2007 100 Saints You Should Know Colleen Playwrights Horizons, Off-Broadway
2008 The Trip to Bountiful Carrie Watts Goodman Theatre, Chicago
2009 The Tempest Gonzalo Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Chicago
2009 Dividing the State Stella Gordon Hartford Stage, CT
2010 Lil's 90th Lil Long Wharf Theatre, CT
2010 After the Revolution Vera Joseph Williamstown Theatre Festival, MA
2010 Playwrights Horizons, Off-Broadway
2011 The Illusion Alcandre Signature Theatre Company, Off-Broadway
2012 Heartless Mable
2013 The Old Friends Mamie Borden
2014 Marjorie Prime Marjorie Mark Taper Forum, CA
2015 The Herd Patricia Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Chicago
2015 John Genevieve[30] Signature Theatre Company, NY
2015–16 Marjorie Prime Marjorie Playwrights Horizons, Off-Broadway
2018 Peace for Mary Frances Mary Frances The Alice Griffin Jewel Box Theatre, Off-Broadway
2018 I Was Most Alive With You Carla Playwrights Horizons, Off-Broadway

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Year Award Category Nominated work Result Ref.
1970 New York Film Critics Circle Best Supporting Actress Five Easy Pieces Nominated [citation needed]
1971 Laurel Awards Best Female Supporting Performance Nominated
1990 Tony Awards Best Featured Actress in a Play The Grapes of Wrath Nominated [31]
1996 Buried Child Nominated [31]
1996 Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture How to Make an American Quilt Nominated [citation needed]
2006 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Actress in a Play The Trip to Bountiful Won [32]
2010 Gotham Awards Best Ensemble Cast Please Give Nominated [citation needed]
2011 Independent Spirit Awards Robert Altman Award Won
2013 Critics' Choice Television Awards Best Guest Performer in a Drama Series The Americans Nominated
2017 Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture Lady Bird Nominated [citation needed]
2017 Las Vegas Film Critics Society Lifetime Achievement Award — Won [citation needed]
2017 Windsor International Film Festival — Won
2017 Gotham Awards Best Actress Marjorie Prime Nominated
2018 Independent Spirit Awards Best Supporting Female Nominated
2018 Satellite Awards Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture Won
2020 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play The Inheritance Won [32]
2020 Tony Awards Best Featured Actress in a Play Won [33]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Lois Smith". Theatre in Chicago. March 10, 2008. Retrieved October 18, 2014.
  2. ^ "Critic's Notebook: In 'Marjorie Prime,' Lois Smith Gets Her Greatest Screen Role". The Hollywood Reporter. November 27, 2017. Retrieved January 9, 2019.
  3. ^ McPhee, Ryan (November 25, 2017). "How Lois Smith Translated Her Groundbreaking Marjorie Prime From Stage to Screen and Back". Playbill. Retrieved January 9, 2019.
  4. ^ Zeitchik, Steven (August 20, 2017). "The low-key dominance of Lois Smith, star of new film 'Marjorie Prime'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 9, 2019.
  5. ^ "Theater Hall of Fame Members". TheaterHallofFame.org. Retrieved October 15, 2014.
  6. ^ Lee, Felicia R. (April 2, 2013). "Lois Smith and Frances Sternhagen to Share Obie Lifetime Achievement Award". New York Times Blog. Retrieved October 15, 2014.
  7. ^ Carrie Humbert at FamilySearch.org; accessed 10/18/14
  8. ^ William Humbert at FamilySearch.org; accessed 10/18/14
  9. ^ "Overview for Lois Smith". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved October 18, 2014.
  10. ^ "Lois Smith profile". FilmReference.com. Retrieved October 18, 2013.
  11. ^ "Lois Smith from "The Illusion"". Retrieved October 18, 2014.
  12. ^ a b "Lois Smith Credits" playbillvault.com, accessed 10/18/14
  13. ^ "Lois Smith on Working with Tennessee Williams, Horton Foote, Sam Shepard, More" broadway.com, accessed 10/18/14
  14. ^ " 'Marjorie Prime' a Tender Comedy Starring Lois Smith" The New York Times, accessed October 18, 2014
  15. ^ Clement, Olivia. "World Premiere of New Annie Baker and Sam Gold Collaboration, 'John', Begins Tonight" playbill.com, July 22, 2015
  16. ^ TheNewGroupNYC (May 8, 2018). "Lois Smith talks Peace for Mary Frances". Archived from the original on December 13, 2021 – via YouTube.
  17. ^ TheNewGroupNYC (May 22, 2018). "Lily Thorne talks Peace for Mary Frances". Archived from the original on December 13, 2021 – via YouTube.
  18. ^ TheNewGroupNYC (May 16, 2018). "Lila Neugebauer talks Peace for Mary Frances". Archived from the original on December 13, 2021 – via YouTube.
  19. ^ Green, Jesse (June 17, 2018). "Review: Will Death Never Come in 'Peace for Mary Frances'?". The New York Times.
  20. ^ "'Peace for Mary Frances': Theater Review". The Hollywood Reporter. May 23, 2018.
  21. ^ "'Peace for Mary Frances' Theater Review: Lois Smith Does Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night". May 23, 2018.
  22. ^ a b Nicholson, Amy (November 15, 2017). "Lois Smith On 'Marjorie Prime', A Life Lived On Stage And Screen And Her Limitless Hunger For New Roles". Retrieved January 9, 2019.
  23. ^ Denby, David, ed. (1971). Film 70/71: An Anthology by the National Society of Film Critics. New York: Simon and Schuster.
  24. ^ "SAG Awards: 'Three Billboards,' 'Big Little Lies' Top Nominees". The Hollywood Reporter. December 13, 2017. Retrieved January 9, 2019.
  25. ^ Lang, Brent (December 10, 2018). "Wes Anderson's 'The French Dispatch' Adds Lois Smith (EXCLUSIVE)". Retrieved January 9, 2019.
  26. ^ "Today's Tops in TV". The San Francisco Examiner. December 26, 1955. p. 23. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
  27. ^ Shepard, Richard F. (September 26, 1959). "Lois Smith Signs for N.B.C.-TV Role; To Star With Stewart and Gobel in 'Cindy's Fella' -- C.B.S. Lists 'Sky King'". The New York Times. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
  28. ^ "The Critics' Choice TV Awards 2015: And the nominees are..." EW.com. Retrieved January 9, 2019.
  29. ^ "Lois Smith Theatre Credits, News, Bio and Photos". www.broadwayworld.com.
  30. ^ Oxfeld, Jesse (August 11, 2015). "'John': Theater Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on December 9, 2023. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  31. ^ a b Peikert, Mark (November 8, 2019). "Lois Smith Returns to Broadway After 23 Years in The Inheritance". Playbill.
  32. ^ a b "Lois Smith - Awards". IBDB.
  33. ^ "2020 Tony Award Nominations: Jagged Little Pill, Moulin Rouge!, Slave Play Lead the Pack". Playbill. October 15, 2020.
[edit]
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