Guide Note

Jean Smart is an Emmy Award winning television and film actress who is known for playing a range of unique roles. From playing Charlene Frazier Stillfield, the hopeless romantic who works with the uptight Sugarbaker sisters in Designing Women to First Lady of the United States in 24, Smart's career has shown her extensive range in talent. Currently she plays Regina Newly, the mother of an amnesiac on the sitcom Samantha Who?.

Fast Facts

1. Born: September 13, 1951
2. Birthplace: Seattle, Washington
3. Diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at age 13
4. Member of the Alpha Delta Pi sorority
5. Married to actor Richard Gilliland
6. Voice of "Dr. Possible" (Kim's mom) in Kim Possible
7. "Stella Kay Perry" in Sweet Home Alabama
8. Emmys: 2 (Both for "Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series" in Fraiser)

Career Beginnings

Born in Seattle, Smart attended the University of Washington where she studied acting. A number of film roles came Smart's way beginning in 1979 when she starred in Gangsters. She then joined Goldie Hawn in the comedy Protocol, but it was her role on Designing Women which aired from 1989 to 1991 that would break her into mainstream notoriety. When the show left the air, Smart continued with television starring in High Society with Mary McDonnell and the cop show The District.