• Lynn Butler-Smith (Lynn Whitfield) is an American actress and producer.
• She has an estimated net worth of over $3 million.
• She is best known for her titular role in “The Josephine Baker Story”.
• She has won numerous awards during her career.
• She is active on social media, mainly Instagram and Facebook.
Known for movies
Stepmom (1998)
as Dr. P. Sweikert
Eve's Bayou (1997)
as Roz Batiste
The Josephine Baker Story (1991)
as Josephine Baker
The Rebound (2009)
as Laura Reilly
Short Info
| Net Worth | $3 million |
| Date Of Birth | May 6, 1953 |
| Spouse | Brian Gibson, Vantile Whitfield |
| Fact | 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. |
Contents
Who is Lynn Whitfield?
Lynn Butler-Smith was born on 6 May 1953, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA, and is a producer as well as an actress, best known for rising to prominence in her titular role in “The Josephine Baker Story”. Since then, she’s had starring roles in films such as “A Think Line Between Love and Hate”, and “Head of State”.
The Wealth of Lynn Whitfield
How rich is Lynn Whitfield? As of late-2019, sources estimate a net worth that is over $3 million, earned through a successful career as an actress.
She’s been active in the entertainment industry since 1981, and has won numerous awards during her career. As she continues on with her endeavors, it is expected that her wealth will also continues to increase.
Early Life, Education, and Career Beginnings
Lynn grew up in Baton Rouge with her father who worked as an officer for a finance agency, while her mother was a dentist. She grew up as the eldest among four children, and her father helped develop her interest in acting as he was an active figure in forming community theatre in her area.
After matriculating from high school, she enrolled at Howard University to complete a bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts. The private university is an historically black university, though is now open to all sexes and races. Following the completion of her degree, she moved permanently to Washington, D.C. to study and perform with the Black Repertory Company. She started to gain a bit of attention, and would later move to New York to perform in off-Broadway productions. In 1977, she gained acclaim for her work in the production “for colored girls who have considered suicide / when the rainbow is enuf” in which she appeared alongside Alfre Woodard.
Television Career
After her run on theatre, Whitfield started to gain more projects on television, making her debut as a part of the critically acclaimed NBC show entitled “Hill Street Blues”, in which she played Jill Thomas. In 1983, she worked on the comedy film “Doctor Detroit” in a supporting role before having a string of other films, including “The Slugger’s Wife” and “The Revenge”. She had a starring role in “The George McKenna Story”, and “The Women of Brewster Place”, in which she appeared alongside Oprah Winfrey. She also became a cast member of the medical drama series “HeartBeat”, but which was short lived.
In 1991, she gained wide recognition for her performance in “The Josephine Baker Story” portraying the cabaret star who would become a French Resistance fighter during World War II – she was chosen over hundreds of women who auditioned. She had to appear nude on screen and had to age from 18 to 68 as a part of the story. She won a Primetime Emmy Award, Golden Globe Award, and NAACP Image Award for her performance. This led her to more television projects, including “Equal Justice”, and “A Triumph of the Heart: The Rickey Bell Story”.
Latter Career
After a string of television movies, Lynn had a regular role in “The Cosby Mysteries”, which aired in 1994 but was short lived, only lasting for a year. She then had a lead role in the film “A Thin Line Between Love and Hate” opposite Martin Lawrence. The film was successful at the box office, and she then worked on “Gone Fishin’” alongside Danny Glover. She had a supporting role in “The Planet of Junior Brown”, and portrayed the mother in the acclaimed independent film “Eve’s Bayou”. In the 2000s, she settled for taking more supporting roles.
Some of the projects she worked on during this period include “Head of State”, “Madea’s Family Reunion”, and “The Women”. She also had roles in low profile movies, and worked on the Disney Channel film “The Cheetah Girls” as well as its sequel. She had recurring roles in both “Without a Trace” and “Boston Public” before appearing as a villain in “How to Get Away with Murder”. One of her most recent projects is the Oprah Winfrey Network series entitled “Greenleaf”, which follows the story of a family and their megachurch. She portrays a power- and money-hungry matriarch of the family, and received positive reviews for her performance.
This little black dress is handling business tonight! West coast, I’m with you tonight but east coast still “@“ me and let me know what you think when it airs on your side! Y’all are in for a juicy show. Can’t wait to discuss it! #Greenleaf #LadyMae #LynnWhitfield pic.twitter.com/ltGa1sBr7F
— Lynn Whitfield (@MsLynnWhitfield) September 13, 2018
Personal Life and Social Media
For her personal life, it is known that Lynn married Vantile Whitfield in 1974, adopting his last name during the time before she had risen to fame as an actress, but they stayed together for only four years before getting a divoring. Her next marriage would be to director Brian Gibson, again short-lived, from 1990 to 1992, with their marriage also ending in divorce. They have a child together, and since then, there have been no new relationships reported on her end. Reports state that she lived in the Upper East Side of Manhattan during the 2000s though it is not known if she continues to reside there.
Similar to numerous actresses, Lynn is highly active online through accounts on social media. She has over 220,000 followers on Instagram, her profile stating that she is a Christian, music lover, and traveler. She is also an enthusiast of interior design. Her daughter has opted to pursue a career in music, and Lynn has been very supportive of her endeavors. Another account she has is on Facebook, with over 25,000 followers, but the account has not been updated since 2018. Her accounts mostly post personal photos, behind the scenes footage, and promotions of her projects.
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
