← Back to explore

Anna Deavere Smith

Acting

Born September 18, 1950 · Baltimore, Maryland, USA

IMDbWikipedia

Biography

Anna Deavere Smith is an American actress, playwright, and professor. She is known for her roles as National Security Advisor Dr. Nancy McNally in The West Wing (2000–06), hospital administrator Gloria Akalitus in the Showtime series Nurse Jackie (2009–15), and U.S. District Court Clerk Tina Krissman on the ABC show For the People (2018–19).

Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA

Awards & recognition

  • Global Citizen Awards · 2019
  • George Polk Award · 2016
  • Guggenheim Fellowship · 2016
  • Phyllis Franklin Award · 2016
  • Jefferson Lecture · 2015
Show all 29 awards →
  • honorary doctor of Yale University · 2014
  • honorary degree from Spelman College · 2012
  • National Humanities Medal · 2012
  • Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Award — Best Supporting Actress · 2003
  • MacArthur Fellows Program · 1996
  • Drama Desk Award — Outstanding One-Person Show · 1994
  • Theatre World Award · 1994
  • Drama Desk Award — Outstanding One-Person Show · 1993
  • Lucille Lortel Award — Outstanding Lead Actress · 1993
  • star on Playwrights' Sidewalk
  • NAACP Image Award — Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series · 2014 · nominated
  • NAACP Image Award — Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series · 2013 · nominated
  • Screen Actors Guild Award — Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series · 2013 · nominated
  • NAACP Image Award — Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series · 2011 · nominated
  • Drama Desk Award — Outstanding One-Person Show · 2010 · nominated
  • Broadcast Film Critics Association Award — Best Cast · 2008 · nominated
  • NAACP Image Award — Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series · 2004 · nominated
  • NAACP Image Award — Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series · 2003 · nominated
  • Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Award — Best Supporting Actress · 2003 · nominated
  • Drama Desk Award — Outstanding One-Person Show · 1994 · nominated
  • Tony Award — Best Actress in a Play · 1994 · nominated
  • Tony Award — Best Play · 1994 · nominated
  • Drama Desk Award — Outstanding One-Person Show · 1993 · nominated
  • Pulitzer Prize — Drama · 1993 · nominated

Filmography32 titles

BoJack Horseman

2014as Betty Bruce (voice)

The West Wing

1999as Nancy McNally

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

1999as Lucille Fenton

A West Wing Special to Benefit When We All Vote

2020as Nancy McNally

The Practice

1997as D.A. Kate Brunner

Philadelphia

1993as Anthea Burton

For the People

2018as Tina Krissman

DC's Legends of Tomorrow

2016as Older Kendra

Nurse Jackie

2009as Gloria Akalitus

Here Today

2021as Dr. Vidor

Madam Secretary

2014as Mary Campbell

black-ish

2014as Alicia

Ghosted

2023as Claudia Yates

Inventing Anna

2022as Maud Lewis

Can You Ever Forgive Me?

2018as Elaine

Rent

2005as Mrs. Jefferson

StarTalk

2015as Self

The Kingdom

2007as Maricella Canavesio

Dave

1993as Mrs. Travis

Flora & Ulysses

2021as Dr. Meescham

The Manchurian Candidate

2004as Political Pundit

The American President

1995as Robin McCall

American Experience

1988as Narrator (voice)

Finding Your Roots

2012as Self

Rachel Getting Married

2008as Carol

Notes from the Field

2018Executive Producer, Writer

Real Time with Bill Maher

2003as Self

Extrapolations

2023as Arden Miller

The Human Stain

2003as Mrs. Silk

Cry Wolf

2005as Headmaster Tinsley

Life Support

2007as Lucille

Soup for One

1982as Deborah