Who is actress Lynn Whitfield? Her Bio: Daughter Grace Gibson, Net Worth, Husband, Parents, Family
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Known for movies

Dr. P. Sweikert

Stepmom (1998)
as Dr. P. Sweikert

Roz Batiste

Eve’s Bayou (1997)
as Roz Batiste

Josephine Baker

The Josephine Baker Story (1991)
as Josephine Baker

Laura Reilly

The Rebound (2009)
as Laura Reilly

Short Info

Net Worth $3 million
Date Of Birth May 6, 1953
Spouse Brian Gibson, Vantile Whitfield
Fact She is a member of the Links Inc.



Who is Lynn Whitfield?

Born Lynn Butler-Smith, on the 6th of May 1953, she is an American actress and producer who became known for her performance as the title character in the biographical film “The Josephine Baker Story.” As of mid-2018, she is playing the role of Lady Mae Greenleaf in the series “Greenleaf” on the Oprah Winfrey Network.

Lynn Whitfield’s Early Life

Whitfield was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the eldest of four children, and a daughter of Jean Butler, an officer of a finance agency, and Valerian Smith, a dentist. Her mother is an African-American while her father is Creole making her half Native American. Whitfield is also a third-generation graduate of BFA from Howard University, but attributes her passion for acting to her dad, who was one of the persons who formed the community theatre in their home in Baton Rouge. To continue feeding her passion, she attended and performed at the Black Repertory Company in Washington D.C.

#TBT What an #honor to bring the #icon #Le Baker to the screen on HBO #JosephineBakerStory #BlackHistory Golden Globes The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences #grateful

Posted by Lynn Whitfield on Thursday, February 23, 2017

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Lynn Whitfield’s Career

Whitfield’s career started in the late ‘70s when she moved to New York, and began acting in off-Broadway shows including “Showdown” and “The Great Macdaddy.” She gained acclaim when she joined the Los Angeles production of “for colored girls who have considered suicide/ when the rainbow is enuf.” Her early years as an actress helped establish both her career and her net worth. When the ‘80s came, Whitfield ventured into television, debuting in “Hill Street Blues” in 1981 playing the role of Jill Thomas. She also appeared in various films, including “Doctor Detroit”, “The Slugger’s Wife”, and “Jaws: The Revenge.”

Whitfield received her big acting career break in 1991, when she starred in the HBO biographical film “The Josephine Baker Story” playing the titular role of the FoliesBergère actress who became a French Resistance fighter during the Second World War, as well as a civil rights activist. Her transformation from being an 18 year old all the way to becoming a 68 year old woman in the movie gained her praise from her fans, the critics, and even award-giving bodies, earning a Whitfield a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie. The success of the film not only catapulted her ito fame but also immensely increased her net worth.

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Lynn Whitfield’s Present Career

After the success of “The Josephine Baker Story”, Whitfield has appeared in many more films, including “A Thin Line Between  Love and Hate”, “Eve’s Bayou”, and “Stepmom.” She also appeared in “Head of State”, “Madea’s Family Reunion”, “The Rebound” and “Mama, I Want to Sing,” all of which have helped increase her wealth. During the late 2000’s, Whitfield went back to television and appeared in recurring roles in “Boston Public”, “Without a Trace”, and “How to Get Away with Murder” playing the villainous role of Mary Walker.

Today, Whitfield is still actively working as an actress, recently joining the drama series “Greanleaf” of the Oprah Winfrey Network in mid-2018, playing the role of the lead antagonist, Lady Mae Greanleaf, the money-loving matriarch of the Greenleaf family. The series also stars Keith David, Kim Hawthorne, Merle Dandrige and Oprah Winfrey – Winfrey even personally chose her to play the role of Lady Mae.

Lynn Whitfield’s Body Measurement

In terms of her body measurement, Whitfield is 5ft 3ins (1.60m.) tall, and weighs 136lbs (62 kgs). Her vital statistics are 34-24-34 inches – her hair color is light brown and her eyes are dark brown.

Posted by Lynn Whitfield on Thursday, August 11, 2016

Lynn Whitfield’s Net Worth

As of late 2018 and based on authoritative sources, Whitfield’s net worth is reported to be over $3 million, acquired from her years working as an actress, appearing in countless television shows and movies.

Lynn Whitfield’s Personal Life

In terms of her personal life, Whitfield is currently single, but has actually been married twice, firstly to Vantile Whitfield from 1974 to ’78, then in 1990 to director Brian Gibson, but after having a daughter together, named Grace their relationship ended in 1992.  Grace has followed her mother’s footsteps in becoming an actress, appearing in movies “Black Nativity”, “All Eyez on Me”, and “Unsolved: The Murders of Tupac and Notorious B.I.G.”

General Info

Full Name Lynn Whitfield
Net Worth $3 million
Salary $3 million
Date Of Birth May 6, 1953
Height 1.61 m
Profession Film producer, Actor
Education Howard University
Nationality American

Family

Spouse Brian Gibson, Vantile Whitfield
Children Grace Gibson
Parents Jean Butler, Valerian Smith
Siblings Valerian Butler-Smith, Shawne Langston, Kimberlegh Butler-Smith

Accomplishments

Awards Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or a Movie, NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series, NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Performance in a Youth/Children’s Series or Special, NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Television M…
Nominations Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actress In A Mini-series or Motion Picture Made for Television, NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture, Black Movie Award for Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role
Movies A Thin Line Between Love and Hate, The Josephine Baker Story, Eve’s Bayou, Madea’s Family Reunion, Head of State, Jaws: The Revenge, The Women of Brewster Place, Doctor Detroit, Mama, I Want to Sing!, Redemption: The Stan Tookie Williams Story, The Cheetah Girls, Gone Fishin’, The Rebound, Silverado…
TV Shows The Cosby Mysteries, Equal Justice, Greenleaf, HeartBeat (US)

Social profile links

Facts

# Fact
1 Lives in a New York Townhome on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. [2004]
2 Gave birth to her 1st child at age 38, a daughter Grace Ginson on Augst 2, 1991. Child’s is her 2nd husband, Brian Gibson.
3 She is of Cherokee descent.
4 Her younger brother’s name is Valerian (Pepper) Butler-Smith.
5 She is a member of the Links Inc.
6 Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
7 She has two younger sisters and a younger brother.
8 Modeled a Millenium Creation outfit designed by Anand Jon at the NYC 2000 fashion show in Times Square on September 13, 1999.
9 Daughter of Valerian Smith

Pictures

Movies

Actress

Title Year Status Character
Stompin’ at the Savoy 1992 TV Movie Esther
The Trials of Rosie O’Neill 1991 TV Series
Equal Justice 1991 TV Series Maggie Mayfield
A Triumph of the Heart: The Ricky Bell Story 1991 TV Movie Natala
The Josephine Baker Story 1991 TV Movie Josephine Baker
Matlock 1990 TV Series Angela Page
American Playhouse 1982-1990 TV Series Woman in the Bath
Heartbeat 1988-1989 TV Series Dr. Cory Banks
The Women of Brewster Place 1989 TV Series Ciel
St. Elsewhere 1988 TV Series Annie Callan
Dead Aim 1987 Sheila Freeman
Jaws: The Revenge 1987 Louisa
Tall Tales & Legends 1986 TV Series Pollie Ann
The New Mike Hammer 1986 TV Series Delia Marvel
The George McKenna Story 1986 TV Movie Bobbie Maxwell
Johnnie Mae Gibson: FBI 1986 TV Movie Johnnie Mae Gibson
The Fall Guy 1985 TV Series Jeanne
Miami Vice 1985 TV Series Odette Ribaud
Silverado 1985 Rae
The Slugger’s Wife 1985 Tina Alvarado
Cagney & Lacey 1985 TV Series Eleanor Taggart
This Is the Life 1985 TV Series
Matt Houston 1983 TV Series Val
Doctor Detroit 1983 Thelma Cleland
Hill Street Blues 1981 TV Series Jill Thomas
Solace 2017 post-production Irene
Espionage Tonight 2016 post-production Sydney Greenstreet
Deaf Ghost pre-production Yonda
Greenleaf 2016-2017 TV Series Lady Mae Greenleaf / Mae Greenleaf
Mistresses 2015-2016 TV Series Marjorie
Hit the Floor 2014-2016 TV Series Vanessa Howard / Jelena’s mother, Vanessa Howard
The North Star 2016 Miss Grace
Prayer Never Fails 2016 Loral Hess
Curveball 2015 Dr. Lane
Chasing Life 2015 TV Series Karen Callahan
Fear Files 2015 TV Movie Madam Mabry (segment “For the Love of Lockwood Too”)
For the Love of Lockwood Too 2015 TV Mini-Series Madame Mabry
How to Get Away with Murder 2014-2015 TV Series Mary Walker
Lap Dance 2014 Momma Pearl
30 Days in Atlanta 2014
Family Time 2014 TV Series Donna
The Fright Night Files 2014 TV Movie Madame Mabry
My Other Mother 2014 TV Movie Mary Jo
Take the Spotlight 2014
Blood Lines 2014 Vivian
For the Love of Lockwood 2014 TV Series Madame Mabry
The Dempsey Sisters 2013 Olivia Norman
The Last Letter 2013 Lorraine
And Then There Was You 2013 Sophia Brent
Act Like You Love Me 2013 Harriett
King’s Faith 2013 Vanessa
24 Hour Love 2013 Cynthia
Lonely Boy 2013/I Dr. Christine Nolan
Training to Be A Superhero 2012 Short MiMi Jakes
Are We There Yet? 2012 TV Series Mother-in-Law 2012
Redemption of a Dog 2012 Francine
Somebody’s Child 2012 TV Movie Constance
Battlefield America 2012 Ms. Parker
Prodigy Bully 2012 TV Movie Angela Washington
All Things Fall Apart 2011 Bee
Mama I Want to Sing 2011 Lillian Winter
Flashforward 2009 TV Series Anastasia Markham
The Rebound 2009 Laura Reilly
The Women 2008/I Glenda Hill
Kings of the Evening 2008 Gracie
Shark 2006 TV Series Anita Astin
The Cheetah Girls 2 2006 TV Movie Dorthea
Confessions 2006/I Dr. Page
Without a Trace 2002-2006 TV Series Paula Van Doren
Madea’s Family Reunion 2006 Victoria
The Book of Daniel 2006 TV Series Elena
Strong Medicine 2004 TV Series Dr. Marshall
Redemption: The Stan Tookie Williams Story 2004 TV Movie Barbara Becnel
The Cheetah Girls 2004 TV Movie Dorothea Garibaldi
The Cheetah Girls 2003 TV Movie Dorothea
Head of State 2003 Debra Lassiter
Lost in Oz 2002 TV Movie Bellaridere
A Time for Dancing 2002 Linda
Boston Public 2001 TV Series Louanna Harper
A Girl Thing 2001 TV Movie Nia Morgan
Love Songs 1999 TV Movie Jean Simpson (segment “Love Song for Jean and Ellis, A”)
Dangerous Evidence: The Lori Jackson Story 1999 TV Movie Lori Jackson
Deep in My Heart 1999 TV Movie Corrine Burrell
Stepmom 1998 Dr. P. Sweikert
The Color of Courage 1998 TV Movie Minnie McGhee
The Wedding 1998 TV Movie Corinne Coles
Eve’s Bayou 1997 Roz Batiste
The Planet of Junior Brown 1997 Mrs. Brown
Gone Fishin’ 1997 Angie
Promised Land 1997 TV Series Dr. Serena Hall
Touched by an Angel 1997 TV Series Dr. Serena Hall
Martin 1997 TV Series Ellen
A Thin Line Between Love and Hate 1996 Brandi
Sophie & the Moonhanger 1996 TV Movie Sophie
The Cosby Mysteries 1994-1995 TV Series Barbara Lorenz
In the Army Now 1994 Sgt. Ladd
Thicker Than Blood: The Larry McLinden Story 1994 TV Movie Bobbie Mallory
State of Emergency 1994 TV Movie Dehlia Johnson
The Cosby Mysteries 1994 TV Movie Barbara Lorenz
Taking the Heat 1993 TV Movie Carolyn Hunter

Producer

Title Year Status Character
Deaf Ghost executive producer pre-production
Training to Be A Superhero 2012 Short producer
Redemption of a Dog 2012 co-producer

Self

Title Year Status Character
Unsung Hollywood 2016 TV Series documentary Herself
Ageism in Hollywood 2016 TV Movie Herself
Access Hollywood Live 2016 TV Series Herself
Home & Family 2016 TV Series Herself
Hollywood Today Live 2016 TV Series Herself
The View 2016 TV Series Herself
The Real 2016 TV Series Herself
5TH NAFCA: African Oscar 2015 TV Movie Herself / Nominated / Best Actress in supporting role Diaspora Film
Jimmy Goes to Nollywood 2015 Documentary Herself
Good Day L.A. 2013 TV Series Herself – Guest
The Wendy Williams Show 2013 TV Series Herself – Guest
Kiss and Tell: The History of Black Romance in Movie 2012 Documentary
Celebrity Close Calls 2011 TV Series Herself
Way Black When: Primetime 2011 TV Series Herself
The Mo’Nique Show 2011 TV Series Herself – Guest
Black Girls Rock 2010 TV Movie Herself
PoliWood 2009 Documentary Herself
The 2006 Black Movie Awards 2006 TV Special Herself
37th NAACP Image Awards 2006 TV Special Herself
Tavis Smiley 2006 TV Series Herself – Guest
The Tyra Banks Show 2006 TV Series Herself – Guest
36th NAACP Image Awards 2005 TV Special Herself
HBO First Look 2003 TV Series documentary Herself
Biography 2002 TV Series documentary Herself
The Daily Show 1997-2001 TV Series Herself – Guest
Intimate Portrait 1998-1999 TV Series documentary Herself / Narrator
5th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards 1999 TV Special Herself
30th NAACP Image Awards 1999 TV Special Herself
29th NAACP Image Awards 1998 TV Special Herself
Essence Awards 1998 TV Special Herself – Co-Host
28th NAACP Image Awards 1997 TV Special Herself
27th NAACP Image Awards 1996 TV Special Herself
Saturday Night Special 1996 TV Series Herself
The 17th Annual CableACE Awards 1995 TV Special Herself
The 1995 ESPY Awards 1995 TV Special Herself – Presenter
Late Night with Conan O’Brien 1995 TV Series Herself – Guest
The 16th Annual CableACE Awards 1994 TV Special Herself – Presenter
The 14th Annual CableACE Awards 1993 TV Special
The 14th Annual American Black Achievement Awards 1993 TV Special Herself
The 49th Annual Golden Globe Awards 1992 TV Special Herself – Nominee: Best Actress in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TV
The 43rd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards 1991 TV Special Herself – Winner: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Special and Presenter
Live with Kelly and Michael 1991 TV Series Herself – Guest
Ebony/Jet Showcase 1991 TV Series Herself
Behind the Scenes with ‘Jaws: The Revenge’ 1987 TV Movie documentary Herself

Awards

Won Awards

Year Award Ceremony Nomination Movie
2005 Black Reel Black Reel Awards Best Actress, Network/Cable Television Redemption: The Stan Tookie Williams Story (2004)
2005 Image Award Image Awards Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special Redemption: The Stan Tookie Williams Story (2004)
2005 Acting and Activism Award Women Film Critics Circle Awards Redemption: The Stan Tookie Williams Story (2004)
2000 Image Award Image Awards Outstanding Performance in a Youth or Children’s Series/Special The Planet of Junior Brown (1997)
1998 Image Award Image Awards Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series Touched by an Angel (1994)
1994 Image Award Image Awards Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, Mini-Series or Television Movie I’ll Fly Away (1991)
1993 Image Award Image Awards Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, Mini-Series or Television Movie The Josephine Baker Story (1991)
1991 Primetime Emmy Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Special The Josephine Baker Story (1991)

Nominated Awards

Year Award Ceremony Nomination Movie
2013 Black Reel Black Reel Awards Outstanding Television or Mini-Series Performance, Female Somebody’s Child (2012)
2006 Black Movie Award Black Movie Awards Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role Madea’s Family Reunion (2006)
2004 BET Comedy Award BET Comedy Awards Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Box Office Movie Head of State (2003)
2004 Black Reel Black Reel Awards Television: Best Supporting Actress The Cheetah Girls (2003)
2004 Image Award Image Awards Outstanding Performance in a Youth/Children’s Program The Cheetah Girls (2003)
2004 Vision Award NAMIC Vision Awards Best Dramatic Performance The Cheetah Girls (2003)
2000 Black Reel Black Reel Awards Network/Cable – Best Actress Love Songs (1999)
2000 Image Award Image Awards Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie/Miniseries/Dramatic Special Dangerous Evidence: The Lori Jackson Story (1999)
1999 Image Award Image Awards Outstanding Lead Actress in a Television Movie or Mini-Series The Wedding (1998)
1999 OFTA Television Award Online Film & Television Association Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture or Miniseries The Color of Courage (1998)
1998 Image Award Image Awards Outstanding Lead Actress in a Motion Picture Eve’s Bayou (1997)
1992 Golden Globe Golden Globes, USA Best Performance by an Actress in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television The Josephine Baker Story (1991)
1992 CableACE CableACE Awards Actress in a Movie or Miniseries The Josephine Baker Story (1991)

Source: IMDb, Wikipedia