Lois Smith
Birth Place: Topeka, KS, USA
Video: Hamish Linklater Guest Stars as Biohacker in New ELSBETH Sneak Peek Clip (Feb 25, 2026)
Constance Wu and Anna Camp Join ELSBETH Season 3 as Guest Stars (Feb 18, 2026)
Joanna Gleason, Mark Linn-Baker, & Didi Conn Join ELSBETH Season 3 as Guest Stars (Feb 2, 2026)
BIO
Lois Arlene Smith (née Humbert; born November 3, 1930) is an American character actress whose career spans eight decades. 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, 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. In 2013, she received a Lifetime Achievement Obie Award for excellence in Off-Broadway performances. She has taught, directed, and written for the stage.
In 2018, she took on the leading role in Brooklyn College student Lily Thorne's Peace for Mary Frances. The drama, directed by Lila Neugebauer, 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 to The Hollywood Reporter and The Wrap.
Photos
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STAGE CREDITS
Awards and Nominations
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Lois Smith, The Inheritance
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Lois Smith, The Inheritance
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Lois Smith, The Inheritance
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Lois Smith
Lois Smith, John
Lois Smith, Marjorie Prime
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Lois Smith
Lois Smith, John
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Lois Smith
Lois SmithAfter the Revolution
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Lois Smith, The Trip to Bountiful
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Lois Smith, The Trip to Bountiful
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Lois Smith, The Trip to Bountiful
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Lois Smith, The Trip to Bountiful
Lois Smith , Buried Child
Lois Smith, The Grapes of Wrath
Lois Smith, Grapes of Wrath
Lois Smith , The Grapes of Wrath
Videos
Video: Hamish Linklater Guest Stars as Biohacker in New ELSBETH Sneak Peek Clip
by Josh Sharpe - 2026-02-25 11:37:41
Video: Sarah Jessica Parker and Jonathan Groff Host New 42 Studios Celebration
by Chloe Rabinowitz - 2025-09-09 15:37:10
VIDEO: Watch the Trailer for UNCLE FRANK, Starring Paul Bettany
by Sarah Leiber - 2020-10-15 12:21:05
VIDEO: Sarah Paulson Says She Almost Didn't Star in RATCHED on LATE NIGHT WITH SETH MEYERS
by Sarah Leiber - 2020-09-24 09:19:26
VIDEO: Sarah Paulson Talks About Her Love of Performing for an Audience on THE LATE SHOW
by Sarah Leiber - 2020-09-18 08:30:51
VIDEO: Tony Goldwyn, Kyle Soller, Andrew Burnap Talk THE INHERITANCE on TODAY
by Kaitlin Milligan - 2020-01-17 11:38:05
TV: Matthew Lopez & Company Explain What THE INHERITANCE is All About!
by Nicole Rosky - 2019-10-31 14:09:17
VIDEO: Watch Sarah Paulson Talk About Meeting Cher on THE TONIGHT SHOW
by Sarah Leiber - 2019-09-18 18:08:37
VIDEO: Broadway's Beanie Feldstein Discusses LADY BIRD and BFF Ben Platt
by Julie Musbach - 2017-11-19 17:14:54
VIDEO: First Look - Saoirse Ronan, Laurie Metcalf, Tracy Letts Star in New Comedy LADY BIRD
by Caryn Robbins - 2017-09-05 10:31:30
VIDEO: First Look - Patti LuPone, Robert DeNiro Star in THE COMEDIAN
by Caryn Robbins - 2017-01-26 09:49:42
VIDEO: Pulitzer Finalist Jordan Harrison on Artificial Intelligence and MARJORIE PRIME
by Michael Dale - 2015-12-10 14:59:50
TV: Betty Buckley and More in Signature Theatre's THE OLD FRIENDS - Highlights!
by BroadwayWorld TV - 2013-09-10 18:13:02
TV: Meet the Cast of THE TRIP TO BOUNTIFUL- Cicely Tyson, Cuba Gooding Jr., Vanessa Williams & More!
by Nicole Rosky - 2013-03-12 11:57:01
TV: Sneak Peek of HEARTLESS at Signature Theatre- Full Highlights!
by Nicole Rosky - 2012-08-22 18:44:03
TV: Sneak Peek of Signature Theatre's HEARTLESS- Performance Highlights!
by Nicole Rosky - 2012-08-14 10:50:39
News
by Josh Sharpe - Feb 25, 2026
Hamish Linklater guest stars as a wealthy biohacker in the new episode of Elsbeth, debuting on Thursday. In a sneak peek clip from the episode, the Broadway alum receives a visit from Elsbeth, who has a few questions following the untimely death of his friend. Check it out now.
by Josh Sharpe - Feb 18, 2026
Constance Wu and Anna Camp are the latest Broadway alums to join as guest stars for the ongoing third season of the CBS series, Elsbeth. This season will also feature Broadway alums Beanie Feldstein, Joanna Gleason, Mark Linn-Baker, Didi Conn, and more as guest stars.
by Josh Sharpe - Feb 2, 2026
Stage and screen veterans Joanna Gleason, Mark Linn-Baker, and Didi Conn are all set to appear in Episode 16 of the ongoing third season of the CBS series Elsbeth.
by Josh Sharpe - Jan 29, 2026
Beanie Feldstein is the latest Broadway star set to appear on the CBS series Elsbeth. Currently on a mid-winter break, she will be featured as a guest star in a future Season 4 episode of the fan-favorite series.
by Josh Sharpe - Jan 22, 2026
Everybody's favorite New York detective isn't going anywhere. CBS has given a Season 4 order for Elsbeth, the police procedural dramedy series led by Carrie Preston.
by Jennifer Ashley Tepper - Dec 28, 2025
This season, three plays are receiving Broadway debuts which already made significant noise off-Broadway in their original productions, years ago. Becky Shaw, Bug, and Marjorie Prime will all be opening on Broadway in early 2026 in brand new productions. The first and last are spending time on Broadway at the Hayes under the auspices of Second Stage while Bug is being presented by Manhattan Theatre Club at their home, the Friedman.
by Josh Sharpe - Dec 16, 2025
In an exclusive clip from this week's episode of Elsbeth, the detective walks the streets of Broadway, accompanied by Officer Grace, played by Lindsay Mendez. Check out the clip now.
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 9, 2025
Marjorie Prime, the existential drama from Jordan Harrison is now playing at the Helen Hayes Theater, directed by Anne Kauffman. The production stars Danny Burstein, Christopher Lowell, Cynthia Nixon, and June Squibb in the title role of Marjorie Prime.
by Josh Sharpe - Nov 11, 2025
Hamish Linklater and Jeff Hiller join Steve Buscemi as guest stars in Season 3 of Elsbeth, showcasing their Broadway talents in thrilling roles.
by Josh Sharpe - Oct 1, 2025
This October, stream Hazbin Hotel Season 2 and enjoy new movies and shows, including Elsbeth and The Woman in Cabin 10. Don't miss out!
by Josh Sharpe - Sep 17, 2025
Broadway veterans Dianne Wiest and Lois Smith, along with Tony Hale, have joined the guest star lineup for Season 3 of Elsbeth. The CBS detective series, led by Carrie Preston, will return for its third season on October 12, 2025.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 11, 2025
Tony and Obie award-winning playwright V, formerly Eve Ensler, has created THIS IS CRAZY! to benefit The National Alliance on Mental Illness. See who is starring and learn how to attend.
by Nicole Rosky - Sep 11, 2025
Tony and Obie award-winning playwright V, formerly Eve Ensler, has created THIS IS CRAZY!, a bold, funny, and moving new play to benefit The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). We have all of the details here!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 9, 2025
Performing arts and arts education nonprofit New 42 celebrated the 25th anniversary of New 42 Studios with a luncheon hosted by Sarah Jessica Parker and Jonathan Groff. See footage from the event here!
by Jennifer Broski - Sep 8, 2025
Earlier today, New 42 Studios hosted a luncheon to celebrate 25 years of making Broadway. BroadwayWorld was there for the special day and you can check out photos from the red carpet here.
by Jennifer Ashley Tepper - Aug 30, 2025
June Squibb is a beloved actor with an incredibly long career—but does 96 make her the oldest actor to play Broadway in a regular production with 8 performances a week? According to our research, that is indeed the case!
by Josh Sharpe - Jun 12, 2025
BroadwayWorld is saddened to report that Harris Yulin, longtime star of the stage and screen, has passed away at the age of 87. Yulin made his New York theater debut in 1963 in James Saunders' Next Time I'll Sing To You.
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 8, 2025
92NY has announced a lineup of upcoming literary events with Amor Towles, Robert Crumb, Celebrations of Jane Austen and Sam Shepard and more. Tickets are on sale now.
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 27, 2024
Playing on Air is back, celebrating its current season launch with a collection of short plays featuring world premieres, plus an audio premieres, by some of the most exciting voices in theatre.
by Stephi Wild - Dec 20, 2024
Playing on Air is celebrating its relaunch with a collection of short plays featuring world premieres, audience favorites, and audio premieres by some of the most exciting voices in theatre today.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Lois Smith has appeared on Broadway in 11 shows.
Lois Smith has not appeared in the West End.
Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for The Inheritance, Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for The Inheritance, Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for The Inheritance, Legend of Off Broadway Honoree (), Distinguished Performance Award (Drama League Awards) for John, Distinguished Performance Award (Drama League Awards) for Marjorie Prime, Special Citation (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for , Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play (The Lortels) for John, Lifetime Achievement (Obie Awards) for , Outstanding Featured Actress (The Lortels) for After the Revolution, Outstanding Actress in a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for The Trip to Bountiful, Performance (Obie Awards) for The Trip to Bountiful, Outstanding Actress in a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for The Trip to Bountiful, Outstanding Lead Actress (The Lortels) for The Trip to Bountiful, Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for Buried Child, Best Actress - Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for The Grapes of Wrath, Best Actress - Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Grapes of Wrath and Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for The Grapes of Wrath.
Lois Smith has won several prestigious awards throughout her career. She received the Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play award from the Drama Desk Awards for The Inheritance, as well as the Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play from the Outer Critics Circle Awards for the same production. Additionally, she won the Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play at the Tony Awards for The Inheritance. She was honored as a Legend of Off Broadway. Smith also received a Special Citation from the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards. Her Lifetime Achievement was recognized by the Obie Awards. For her work in The Trip to Bountiful, she earned the Outstanding Actress in a Play award from the Drama Desk Awards, a Performance award from the Obie Awards, the Outstanding Actress in a Play from the Outer Critics Circle Awards, and the Outstanding Lead Actress award from The Lortels.
Videos