Lynn Whitfield is a producer and actor from the United States. She began her acting career in television and theater before moving to support film roles. Whitfield spent her career following her breakthrough performance as Josephine Baker, acquiring lead roles in a number of made-for-TV movies during the 1990s.
Quick Facts
Celebrated Name: | Lynn Whitefield |
Real Name/Full Name: | Lynn Butler-Smith |
Gender: | Female |
Age: | 69 years old |
Birth Date: | 6 May 1953 |
Birth Place: | Baton Rouge, Louisiana, U.S.A. |
Nationality: | American |
Height: | 1.61 m |
Weight: | 62 kg |
Sexual Orientation: | Straight |
Marital Status: | Divorced |
Husband/Spouse (Name): | Ventile Whitfield (m. 1974 d:1978), Brian Gibson (m. 1990 d:1992) |
Children/Kids (Son and Daughter): | Yes 1 (Grace Gibson) |
Dating/Boyfriend (Name): | N/A |
Is Lynn Whitfield Lesbian? | No |
Profession: | Actress |
Salary: | N/A |
Net Worth in 2024: | $5 million |
Lynn Whitfield Biography
Lynn Whitfield was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to parents Jean, an African-American officer at a financial agency, and Valerian Smith, a Creole dentist. She is the eldest of four children and a third-generation Howard University BFA graduate. She rose to prominence on stage after studying and acting with Washington, DC’s Black Repertory Company.
Lynn Whitfield’s Age, Height, Weight
Lynn Whitefield was born on May 6, 1953, and is 69 years old as of 2024. Her height is 1.61m, and she weighs 62kg.
Career
Lynn Whitfield made her professional debut as Jill Thomas in the NBC drama Hill Street Blues in 1981. She also appeared in the short-lived ABC female-driven clinical drama HeartBeat in 1988 and the miniseries The Women of Brewster Place, featuring Oprah Winfrey and Cicely Tyson. Whitfield rose to prominence in the title role in The Josephine Baker Story, portraying the American who became a Folies Bergère star, a French resistance fighter during WWII, and a civil rights activist.
The HBO documentary anticipated her aging from 18 to 68. Whitfield had a recurring role in the ABC courtroom drama Equal Justice after her success as Josephine Baker. Whitfield was cast as the female protagonist with Martin Lawrence in the dark romantic-comedy film A Thin Line Between Love and Hate in 1996. Lawrence was 12 years younger than Whitfield, who was 42 at the recording time.
Whitfield has had many supporting roles in television and cinema throughout the 2000s. She appeared with Chris Rock in the satirical film Head of State. During the 2000s, Whitfield had recurring roles on Boston Public and Without a Trace. She starred as the villain Mary Walker in the ABC courtroom drama How to Get Away with Murder from 2014 to 2015. Whitfield was selected as the core villain in the Oprah Winfrey Network original scripted drama series Greenleaf in 2015.
Achievements and Awards
Lynn Whitfield has a long number of honors and accomplishments to her credit. She received her first Emmy nomination in 1991 for Outstanding Lead Actress in the miniseries The Josephine Baker Story. She received three NAACP Image Awards in 1999. She received Black Reel Awards, Women Film Critics Circle Awards, and another NAACP Image Award in 2005. Greenleaf earned another NAACP Award in 2020 for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series.
Lynn Whitfield’s Net Worth In 2024
Lynn Whitefield’s net worth is projected to be at $5 million as of February 2024. Her lengthy and successful career in the film business is her primary source of income. Most of her films have been box office successes, earning her several honors and millions of dollars.
Finally, Lynn exemplifies the image of a successful and ambitious woman in the film business. Her accomplishments serve as an example of a young lady aspiring to succeed in the film business and being well-known throughout the globe. Her success is expected to continue in the coming years.
Lynn Whitfield Husband, Marriage
Lynn Whitfield has had two marriages. Her first husband was Vantile Whitfield, with whom she married in 1974 and divorced in 1978. She was married to CEO Brian Gibson from 1990 until 1992. Grace Gibson was born during her marriage to Brian.