Jean Smart on Being Kind and Honoring the Ones You Love Javascript must be enabled to use this site. Please enable Javascript in your browser and try again. × Search search POPULAR SEARCHES SUGGESTED LINKS Join AARP for just $9 per year when you sign up for a 5-year term. Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. Leaving AARP.org Website You are now leaving AARP.org and going to a website that is not operated by AARP. A different privacy policy and terms of service will apply. Close
Jean Smart What I Know Now
The Hacks star on being kind getting naked on-screen she won t and honoring the ones you love
Robert Trachtenberg/Trunk Archive Using college wisely br
I decided in high school that I wanted to act, and to major in theater in college. But I didn’t know anyone who did that for a living. My mom thought it was frivolous. She and my dad grew up during the Depression and saw college — they’d both attended — as a privilege, not to be wasted. As soon as my mother started seeing me in shows, though, she said she started thinking, Oh, maybe she’s onto something here. Being an it girl again
Designing Women was a hit, but the reaction to has been just enormous. The attention is lovely, but it’s kind of baffling. The advice I would give to other actors is, you know, just don’t go away. Eventually they’ll find you again. [Laughs.] Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. Ignore most of the naysayers
I try not to read all reviews. It’s not healthy. But if I get a great review and someone sticks it under my nose, I’m very happy to read it! Drama or comedy
If I had to do one or the other, I would probably pick drama, because you can always be funny in your personal life. And if you’re funny all the time at work, maybe … you’re more of a drama queen at home? [Laughs.] The reason she won t get naked
God bless people who are that uninhibited. But when I had the opportunity to do that, I thought, How could I face my poor father? He'd be embarrassed in front of his friends. Although I’ve thought a couple of times recently, Well, maybe I could have briefly gone topless. I mean, they still look good — not as good as they did, but pretty good! Flowers & Gifts 25% off sitewide and 30% off select items See more Flowers & Gifts offers > Plastic surgery for all but not me not yet
I don’t take care of my skin. I’m terrible. But I’m just lucky — I’ve got . I’ve done a little , because I tend to scowl. I can’t look angry on camera all the time. I tried filler once, and it was not pleasant. I didn’t get the results I wanted. Now I’m dying to get my eyes done — but I’m terrified! People I want to work with
Sarah Paulson. Joaquin Phoenix. Oh, and . I’ve been in love with him since high school. And I just worked with two others on my list, Margot Robbie and Brad Pitt, in Babylon, a movie out later this year (Dec. 25). Brad Pitt! Celebrate the people you love while you can
I’ve been trying to decide what to do with my husband’s ashes. [Actor Richard Gilliland died of a heart condition in 2021.] He was of Irish descent, and I thought I would scatter the ashes in Dublin last summer, but it was too soon for the kids. A year before he died, though, I threw him a big surprise party for his 70th birthday. Everybody who was near and dear to him was there, and it was really, really great. Oh, God, they roasted him mercilessly! So, I haven’t had any kind of a service, because I thought, I can’t top that. —As told to Judith Newman Four-time Emmy winner Jean Smart, 70, stars in Hacks and the upcoming movie Babylon. She has also starred in Mare of Easttown, Fargo, Watchmen and the classic sitcom Designing Women. More on entertainment AARP NEWSLETTERS %{ newsLetterPromoText }% %{ description }% Subscribe AARP VALUE & MEMBER BENEFITS See more Health & Wellness offers > See more Flights & Vacation Packages offers > See more Finances offers > See more Health & Wellness offers > SAVE MONEY WITH THESE LIMITED-TIME OFFERS