Lois Smith

Lois Smith

Lois Arlene Smith (née Humbert; born November 3, 1930) is an American actress. 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), How to Make an American Quilt (1995), Dead Man Walking, Twister (1996), Minority Report (2002), The Nice Guys (2016) and Lady Bird (2017). 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 well as won Satellite Award. Smith also has had many roles on television, both daytime and prime time. She was regular cast member in the HBO horror drama True Blood, and well as received 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, receiving two Tony Award nominations for originating the role of Ma Joad in The Grapes of Wrath (1990) and for the role of Halie in a revival of Buried Child in 1996. She also 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. Smith is an ensemble member of Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago. Description above from the Wikipedia article Lois Smith, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

More details

Known For

Filmography

2025

The Uninvited
The Uninvited
as Helen
Movie - Released: 4/11/2025
The Gettysburg Address
The Gettysburg Address
as Elizabeth Crawford (voice)
Movie - Released: 11/19/2025
Movie
Lightning Bug
as Lydia
Movie - Released: 10/4/2025
On the End
On the End
as Trudie Ferreira
Movie - Released: 10/4/2025

2022

Mack & Rita
Mack & Rita
as Betty
Movie - Released: 8/12/2022
This Fool
This Fool
as Beverly
TV - Released: 8/12/2022

2021

The French Dispatch
The French Dispatch
as Upshur 'Maw' Clampette
Movie - Released: 10/21/2021
Gossip Girl
Gossip Girl
as Iris Lefferts
TV - Released: 7/8/2021
Law & Order: Organized Crime
Law & Order: Organized Crime
as Doris 'Mama' Boone
TV - Released: 4/1/2021

2020

Uncle Frank
Uncle Frank
as Aunt Butch
Movie - Released: 11/25/2020
Tesla
Tesla
as The Grande Dame
Movie - Released: 8/14/2020
The Great Work Begins: Scenes from Angels in America
The Great Work Begins: Scenes from Angels in America
as Harper Pitt
Movie - Released: 10/8/2020

2019

On Becoming a God in Central Florida
On Becoming a God in Central Florida
as Mimi Waldenstock
TV - Released: 8/25/2019

2018

Impulse
Impulse
as Deirdre 'Dippy' Jones
TV - Released: 6/6/2018

2017

Marjorie Prime
Marjorie Prime
as Marjorie
Movie - Released: 1/23/2017
Lady Bird
Lady Bird
as Sister Sarah Joan
Movie - Released: 9/1/2017
9JKL
9JKL
as Wrong Nana
TV - Released: 10/2/2017

2016

The Nice Guys
The Nice Guys
as Mrs. Glenn
Movie - Released: 5/15/2016
The Comedian
The Comedian
as Miriam
Movie - Released: 12/9/2016

2015

Run All Night
Run All Night
as Margaret Conlon
Movie - Released: 3/11/2015
Younger
Younger
as Belinda Lacroix
TV - Released: 3/31/2015
Grace and Frankie
Grace and Frankie
as Mrs. Hanson
TV - Released: 5/8/2015
Sneaky Pete
Sneaky Pete
as Reverend Ethel Landry
TV - Released: 8/7/2015

2014

Showing Up
Showing Up
as Self
Movie - Released: 2/25/2014

2013

The Man Who Came Out Only at Night
The Man Who Came Out Only at Night
as The Youngest Daughter (later)
Movie - Released: 10/10/2013
Mom
Mom
as Claire
TV - Released: 9/23/2013
Ray Donovan
Ray Donovan
as Dolores
TV - Released: 6/30/2013
The Blacklist
The Blacklist
as Lucy Game
TV - Released: 9/23/2013
The Americans
The Americans
as Betty Turner
TV - Released: 1/30/2013

2012

The Odd Life of Timothy Green
The Odd Life of Timothy Green
as Aunt Mel
Movie - Released: 8/15/2012
Roadie
Roadie
as Mom
Movie - Released: 1/6/2012
Ruth & Erica
Ruth & Erica
as Ruth
TV - Released: 9/24/2012

2010

Please Give
Please Give
as Mrs. Portman
Movie - Released: 4/30/2010

2009

A Dog Year
A Dog Year
as Lois Blair
Movie - Released: 9/3/2009

2008

Turn the River
Turn the River
as Abby
Movie - Released: 5/9/2008
Diminished Capacity
Diminished Capacity
as Belle
Movie - Released: 7/4/2008
True Blood
True Blood
as Adele Stackhouse
TV - Released: 9/7/2008

2007

Army Wives
Army Wives
as Elsie
TV - Released: 6/3/2007

2006

Hollywoodland
Hollywoodland
as Helen Bessolo
Movie - Released: 8/31/2006
Movie
Little Fugitive
as Elizabeth
Movie - Released: 5/27/2006
Movie
Little Fugitive
as Social Worker
Movie - Released: 5/27/2006
Griffin & Phoenix
Griffin & Phoenix
as Dr. Imberman
Movie - Released: 9/12/2006

2005

Sweet Land
Sweet Land
as Inge (as an older woman)
Movie - Released: 10/21/2005
James Dean: Sense Memories
James Dean: Sense Memories
as Self
Movie - Released: 5/11/2005
Grey's Anatomy
Grey's Anatomy
as Mrs. Dickerson
TV - Released: 3/27/2005

2004

P.S.
P.S.
as Ellie Silverstein
Movie - Released: 10/15/2004
Iron Jawed Angels
Iron Jawed Angels
as Reverend Anna Howard Shaw
Movie - Released: 1/16/2004
The Best Thief in the World
The Best Thief in the World
as Helen
Movie - Released: 1/1/2004
LAX
LAX
as Rose Sinclair
TV - Released: 9/13/2004
Desperate Housewives
Desperate Housewives
as Allison Scavo
TV - Released: 10/3/2004

2003

Red Betsy
Red Betsy
as Helen Rounds
Movie - Released: 3/27/2003
Cold Case
Cold Case
as Fannie
TV - Released: 9/28/2003

2002

Minority Report
Minority Report
as Dr. Iris Hineman
Movie - Released: 6/20/2002
The Laramie Project
The Laramie Project
as Lucy Thompson
Movie - Released: 1/10/2002

2001

Powder Keg
Powder Keg
as Mother
Movie - Released: 6/1/2001
The Pledge
The Pledge
as Helen Jackson
Movie - Released: 1/19/2001
Law & Order: Criminal Intent
Law & Order: Criminal Intent
as Betty Bennett
TV - Released: 9/30/2001
The Hire
The Hire
as Mother
TV - Released: 4/26/2001

1999

Tumbleweeds
Tumbleweeds
as Ginger
Movie - Released: 11/24/1999
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
as Rebecca Tolliver
TV - Released: 9/20/1999

1998

The Eternal
The Eternal
as Mrs. Ferriter
Movie - Released: 9/18/1998
A Will of their Own
A Will of their Own
as Miss Maude
TV - Released: 10/18/1998

1997

Hudson River Blues
Hudson River Blues
Movie - Released: 12/12/1997
Just Shoot Me!
Just Shoot Me!
as Libby
TV - Released: 3/4/1997
The Practice
The Practice
as Mary Beth Berluti
TV - Released: 3/4/1997

1996

Twister
Twister
as Aunt Meg
Movie - Released: 5/10/1996
Larger Than Life
Larger Than Life
as Luluna
Movie - Released: 7/26/1996

1995

Dead Man Walking
Dead Man Walking
as Helen's Mother
Movie - Released: 12/29/1995
How to Make an American Quilt
How to Make an American Quilt
as Sophia
Movie - Released: 10/6/1995
Truman
Truman
as Madge Wallace Gates
Movie - Released: 9/9/1995

1994

Holy Matrimony
Holy Matrimony
as Orna
Movie - Released: 4/8/1994
Touched by an Angel
Touched by an Angel
as Mildred Mancini
TV - Released: 9/21/1994
ER
ER
as Gracie
TV - Released: 9/19/1994

1993

Skylark
Skylark
as Lou Wheaton
Movie - Released: 2/7/1993
Falling Down
Falling Down
as D-Fens' Mother
Movie - Released: 2/26/1993
Frasier
Frasier
as Moira
TV - Released: 9/16/1993

1992

The Donner Party
The Donner Party
as voice
Movie - Released: 10/28/1992
Hard Promises
Hard Promises
as Mrs. Bell
Movie - Released: 1/31/1992
Deadly Matrimony
Deadly Matrimony
Movie - Released: 11/22/1992
Keep the Change
Keep the Change
as Lureen
Movie - Released: 6/9/1992

1991

Fried Green Tomatoes
Fried Green Tomatoes
as Mama Threadgoode
Movie - Released: 12/27/1991
Coney Island
Coney Island
as (voice)
Movie - Released: 2/4/1991
White Hot: The Mysterious Murder of Thelma Todd
White Hot: The Mysterious Murder of Thelma Todd
as Alice Todd
Movie - Released: 5/5/1991
The Grapes of Wrath
The Grapes of Wrath
as Ma Joad
Movie - Released: 3/22/1991
Good Sports
Good Sports
TV - Released: 1/10/1991
Switched at Birth
Switched at Birth
as Margaret
TV - Released: 4/28/1991

1990

Green Card
Green Card
as Brontë's Mother
Movie - Released: 12/23/1990
Law & Order
Law & Order
as Eunice Varick
TV - Released: 9/13/1990

1988

Hello Actors Studio
Hello Actors Studio
as Self
Movie - Released: 11/9/1988
Midnight Run
Midnight Run
as Mrs. Nelson, Mardukas's Friend
Movie - Released: 7/20/1988
American Experience
American Experience
as (voice)
TV - Released: 10/4/1988

1987

Black Widow
Black Widow
as Sara
Movie - Released: 2/6/1987
Fatal Attraction
Fatal Attraction
as Martha
Movie - Released: 9/18/1987
thirtysomething
thirtysomething
TV - Released: 9/29/1987

1985

Twisted
Twisted
as Helen Giles
Movie - Released: 8/23/1985
The Execution of Raymond Graham
The Execution of Raymond Graham
as Mary Neal
Movie - Released: 11/17/1985
Doubletake
Doubletake
as Sarah
Movie - Released: 11/24/1985
Spenser: For Hire
Spenser: For Hire
TV - Released: 9/20/1985
The Equalizer
The Equalizer
as Marie Ganucci
TV - Released: 9/18/1985
The Equalizer
The Equalizer
as Dorothy Hermes
TV - Released: 9/18/1985

1984

Reckless
Reckless
as Mrs. Prescott
Movie - Released: 2/3/1984

1983

Reuben, Reuben
Reuben, Reuben
as Mare Spofford
Movie - Released: 12/19/1983
Rage of Angels
Rage of Angels
as Clara
TV - Released: 2/20/1983

1981

Movie
The House of Mirth
as Bertha Dorset
Movie - Released: 1/1/1981
Four Friends
Four Friends
as Mrs. Carnahan
Movie - Released: 12/11/1981

1980

Resurrection
Resurrection
as Kathy
Movie - Released: 9/26/1980
Foxes
Foxes
as Mrs. Axman
Movie - Released: 2/29/1980
The Jilting of Granny Weatherall
The Jilting of Granny Weatherall
as Cornelia
Movie - Released: 3/3/1980

1979

Tales of the Unexpected
Tales of the Unexpected
as Sara
TV - Released: 3/24/1979

1976

Next Stop, Greenwich Village
Next Stop, Greenwich Village
as Anita Cunningham
Movie - Released: 2/4/1976

1972

Particular Men
Particular Men
Movie - Released: 4/15/1972
Up the Sandbox
Up the Sandbox
as Elinore
Movie - Released: 12/21/1972

1970

Five Easy Pieces
Five Easy Pieces
as Partita Dupea
Movie - Released: 9/12/1970
Dragon Country
Dragon Country
as Woman (segment "Talk to Me Like the Rain and Let Me Listen")
Movie - Released: 12/3/1970
The Way We Live Now
The Way We Live Now
as Jane Aldridge
Movie - Released: 5/27/1970

1967

Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night
Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night
as Evelyn
Movie - Released: 10/17/1967

1966

TV
CBS Playhouse
TV - Released: 12/8/1966

1961

Dr. Kildare
Dr. Kildare
as Libby Clayton
TV - Released: 9/27/1961
The Defenders
The Defenders
as Esther Terranova
TV - Released: 9/16/1961

1960

The Master Builder
The Master Builder
as Hilda
Movie - Released: 3/21/1960
Route 66
Route 66
TV - Released: 10/7/1960
Route 66
Route 66
as Dana
TV - Released: 10/7/1960
Route 66
Route 66
as Lucy Brown
TV - Released: 10/7/1960

1959

Startime
Startime
TV - Released: 10/6/1959

1958

Naked City
Naked City
as Dawn Garrison
TV - Released: 9/30/1958

1956

Tony Awards
Tony Awards
as Self - Nominee
TV - Released: 4/1/1956
Tony Awards
Tony Awards
as Self - Nominee/Performer
TV - Released: 4/1/1956

1955

East of Eden
East of Eden
as Anne
Movie - Released: 4/10/1955
Strange Lady in Town
Strange Lady in Town
as Spurs O'Brien
Movie - Released: 4/12/1955
Matinee Theater
Matinee Theater
TV - Released: 10/31/1955

1953

Letter to Loretta
Letter to Loretta
as Jenny Musgrave
TV - Released: 9/20/1953
The United States Steel Hour
The United States Steel Hour
as Jeannie
TV - Released: 10/27/1953

1950

Robert Montgomery Presents
Robert Montgomery Presents
TV - Released: 1/30/1950

1948

Studio One
Studio One
as Lisa Molloy
TV - Released: 11/7/1948

Unknown

Movie
The Steel Harp
as Hanna
Movie