Lois Smith
Biography
Lois Smith was born on November 3, 1930 in Topeka, Kansas, USA as Lois Arlene Humbert. She is an actress, known for Twister (1996), One Life to Live (1968) and Falling Down (1993). She was previously married to Wesley Dale Smith.
95years old
Turns 96 on November 3in 22 days
- Born Topeka
- Star sign: ScorpioThe sign runs October 23 to November 21
- Also credited as Lois Arlene Smith
Movie Career
- Films
- 40
- Career span
- 70 years1955 to 2025
First and latest
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Behind the award
Smith won the 2020 Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play for The Inheritance, and at that ceremony she became the oldest performer ever to win a Tony Award for acting.
Early training
Smith worked with Elia Kazan on East of Eden, and he urged her to train at the Actors Studio under Lee Strasberg. She followed that advice.
Lois Smith movies on Netflix
The Uninvitedas Helen
Mack & Ritaas Betty
The French Dispatchas Upshur 'Maw' Clampette
Uncle Frankas Aunt Butch
Lady Birdas Sister Sarah Joan
Marjorie Primeas Marjorie
The Comedianas Miriam
The Nice Guysas Mrs. Glenn
Run All Nightas Margaret Conlon
The Odd Life of Timothy Greenas Aunt Mel
Please Giveas Mrs. Portman
Diminished Capacityas Belle
Killshotas Lenore
Griffin & Phoenixas Dr. Imberman
Hollywoodlandas Helen Bessolo
Sweet Landas Old Inge
Iron Jawed Angelsas Reverend Anna Howard Shaw
P.S.as Ellie Silverstein
Minority Reportas Dr. Iris Hineman
Powder Kegas Mother
Tumbleweedsas Ginger
The Eternalas Mrs. Ferriter
Twisteras Meg Greene
Dead Man Walkingas Helen's Mother
How to Make an American Quiltas Sophia
Trumanas Madge Wallace Gates
Holy Matrimonyas Orna
Falling Downas D-Fens' Mother
Fried Green Tomatoesas Mama Threadgoode
Green Cardas Brontë's Parent (Mother)
Black Widowas Sara
Fatal Attractionas Martha
Recklessas Mrs. Prescott
Four Friendsas Mrs. Carnahan
Foxesas Mrs. Axman
Resurrectionas Kathy
Next Stop, Greenwich Villageas Anita Cunningham
Five Easy Piecesas Partita Dupea
East of Edenas Anne
Strange Lady in Townas Spurs O'Brien
Best known for
The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.
- Minority Report2002 Action, Crime, Mystery, Sci-Fi, Thrilleras Dr. Iris Hineman
IMDb rating 7.6627K votes
Most often with
Adrian Lyne directed two of these films, Bob Rafelson two and Michael Almereyda two. Margo Martindale appears in three of them, more than any other actor. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.








Films together
Margo Martindale3 films together, 1995 to 2020
Margo Martindale's page Uncle Frank2020IMDb rating 7.3Smith as Aunt ButchMartindale as Mammaw
Iron Jawed Angels2004IMDb rating 7.3Smith as Reverend Anna Howard ShawMartindale as Harriot Blatch
Dead Man Walking1995IMDb rating 7.5Smith as Helen's MotherMartindale as Sister Colleen
Richard Riehle2 films together, 1991 to 1994
Richard Riehle's page Holy Matrimony1994IMDb rating 5.1Smith as OrnaRiehle as Greeson
Fried Green Tomatoes1991IMDb rating 7.7Smith as Mama ThreadgoodeRiehle as Reverend Scroggins
Christopher Walken2 films together, 1976 to 1998
Christopher Walken's page The Eternal1998IMDb rating 4.5Smith as Mrs. FerriterWalken as Uncle Bill Ferriter
Next Stop, Greenwich Village1976IMDb rating 7.0Smith as Anita CunninghamWalken as Robert Fulmer
Dermot Mulroney2 films together, 1995 to 2006
Dermot Mulroney's page Griffin & Phoenix2006IMDb rating 6.9Smith as Dr. ImbermanMulroney as Griffin
How to Make an American Quilt1995IMDb rating 6.3Smith as SophiaMulroney as Sam
Ellen Burstyn2 films together, 1980 to 1995
Ellen Burstyn's page How to Make an American Quilt1995IMDb rating 6.3Smith as SophiaBurstyn as Hy
Resurrection1980IMDb rating 7.1Smith as KathyBurstyn as Edna
Adrien Brody2 films together, 2006 to 2021
Adrien Brody's page The French Dispatch2021IMDb rating 7.1Smith as Upshur 'Maw' ClampetteBrody as Julian Cadazio
Hollywoodland2006IMDb rating 6.5Smith as Helen BessoloBrody as Louis Simo
Adrian LyneDirector, 2 films, 1980 to 1987
All films by Adrian Lyne Fatal Attraction1987IMDb rating 6.9Smith as Martha
Foxes1980IMDb rating 6.1Smith as Mrs. Axman
Bob RafelsonDirector, 2 films, 1970 to 1987
All films by Bob Rafelson Black Widow1987IMDb rating 6.4Smith as Sara
Five Easy Pieces1970IMDb rating 7.3Smith as Partita Dupea
Michael AlmereydaDirector, 2 films, 1998 to 2017
All films by Michael Almereyda Marjorie Prime2017IMDb rating 6.3Smith as Marjorie
The Eternal1998IMDb rating 4.5Smith as Mrs. Ferriter
Also two films together21 more actors
- Diane LaneKillshot (2008) and Hollywoodland (2006)
- Michael DouglasFalling Down (1993) and Fatal Attraction (1987)
- Joseph Gordon-LevittKillshot (2008) and Holy Matrimony (1994)
- Raymond J. BarryDead Man Walking (1995) and Falling Down (1993)
- CommonRun All Night (2015) and The Odd Life of Timothy Green (2012)
- Amanda PeetPlease Give (2010) and Griffin & Phoenix (2006)
- Molly ParkerHollywoodland (2006) and Iron Jawed Angels (2004)
- Adam BaldwinHow to Make an American Quilt (1995) and Reckless (1984)
- Robert ProskyDead Man Walking (1995) and Green Card (1990)
- Larry PineThe French Dispatch (2021) and Dead Man Walking (1995)
- Timothée ChalametThe French Dispatch (2021) and Lady Bird (2017)
- Beau KnappThe Nice Guys (2016) and Run All Night (2015)
- Steve ParkThe French Dispatch (2021) and Falling Down (1993)
- D.W. MoffettFalling Down (1993) and Black Widow (1987)
- Elizabeth ReaserThe Uninvited (2025) and Sweet Land (2005)
- Macon McCalmanFalling Down (1993) and Fried Green Tomatoes (1991)
- Odeya RushLady Bird (2017) and The Odd Life of Timothy Green (2012)
- Alison ElliottGriffin & Phoenix (2006) and The Eternal (1998)
- Simon JonesGriffin & Phoenix (2006) and Green Card (1990)
- Ebbe Roe SmithFalling Down (1993) and Resurrection (1980)
- Fannie FlaggFried Green Tomatoes (1991) and Five Easy Pieces (1970)
When several people share the same number of films, the ones with the most films on Netflix are in the chart.
Box office
What Lois Smith's films earned in cinemas worldwide.
Combined worldwide box office
$1.9 billion
27 of the 40 films have a worldwide figure.
Of the 40 films: 27 worldwide figure; 4 us gross only; 2 never in cinemas; 7 figure not found.
- 27Worldwide figure
- 4US gross only
- 2Never in cinemas
- 7Figure not found
Top grosser

Highest grossing
The eight biggest films earned 84% of the total. The bars are drawn to scale.
- 1$494M26.6% of the total
- 2$358M19.2% of the total
- 3$320M17.2% of the total
- 4$119M6.4% of the total
- 5$79M4.2% of the total
- 6$72M3.8% of the total
- 7$71M3.8% of the total
- 8$56M3.0% of the total
Awards
Three awards and honors from 1970 to 2006.
| Year | Award | Film | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other honors | |||
| 2006 | Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actress in a Play | Won | |
| 2006 | Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Lead Actress | Won | |
| 1970 | National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Supporting Actress | Five Easy Pieces | Won |
Online
Official profiles and reference pages.










