Jean Smart Breaks Down Her Career, from '24' to 'Hacks' | Vanity Fair

Jean Smart takes us through her illustrious career, including her roles in 'Hoodlums,' 'Designing Women,' 'Overkill: The Aileen Wuornos Story,' 'Guinevere,' 'Frasier,' '24,' 'Fargo,' 'Watchmen,' 'Mare of Easttown,' 'Hacks' and 'Babylon.'
Babylon premieres December 23 in theaters.
Director: Ashley Hall
Director of Photography: Grant Bell
Editor: Cory Stevens
Talent: Jean Smart
Producer: Ashley Hall
Line Producer: Jen Santos
Associate Producer: Clarissa Davis
Production Manager: Andressa Pelachi
Production Coordinators: Peter Brunette, Carol Wachockier
Talent Booker: Director of Video Talent - Lauren Mendoza
Camera Operator: Lucas Vilicich
Audio: Kari Barber
Production Assistant(s): Phillip Arliss, Gee Depratt
Post Production Supervisor: Nicholas Ascanio
Post Production Coordinator: Andrea Farr
Supervising Editor: Kameron Key
Assistant Editor: Diego Rentsch
00:00 - Jean Smart’s Career
00:35 - Designing Women
01:49 - Overkill: The Aileen Wuornos Story
02:50 - Guinevere
03:31 - Frasier
05:53 - 24
06:50 - Fargo
8:48 - Watchmen
10:02 - Mare of Easttown
12:33 - Hacks
14:07 - Babylon
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[@canberkemri636]

hacks is honestly the best comedy on tv and jean and hannah are perfect for their parts

[@spacecadet2172]

I love jeans character but Hannah’s is so annoying. She is so sanctimonious and entitled. She reminds me of those eco fascists who deface precious works of art

[@harridan.]

@@spacecadet2172 do you think she might throw paint on Deb?

[@redrick8900]

It's not a comedy.

[@mellowscorpio]

She's never peaked! Always Rising - an inspirational career trajectory

[@quinnaddison420]

So true! She just gets better and better!

[@anastasiabeaverhausen8220]

Well said!

[@stephanie2927]

Yes! More of her please. I love older women who have settled into themselves and can give insight into life and their industry

[@why6795]

Loved her as agent Candace DeLong

[@watada]

Love seeing Jean Smart’s renaissance. To watch her in Mare of Eastown and then Hacks, you really realize just how good of. An actor she is. Magnificent!

[@spacecadet2172]

Jean is all class, all talent. It’s the Jeanaissance !!

[@josephmanning3179]

I honestly hadn't heared of her until Watchmen but its great how she has had a career rebirth since then.

[@spacecadet2172]

@@josephmanning3179 It wasn't really watchmen, it started many years ago when she was a guest start on 24 and was Emmy-nominated. Then around the time of watchmen she was nommed for Mare of Eastown and actually won Best Actress for her own new show which she headlines, called Hacks.

[@lynnyhen]

She was absolutely fabulous on Fraiser!

[@VivaVinoTinto]

“PUT YOUR BROTHER ON THE PHONE!”

[@baggergurl16]

@@VivaVinoTinto 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@lauraanderson8027]

@VivaVinoTinto … NEVER GETS OLD!!!!!!🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@chrissyknowsitall5170]

I have just adored Jean Smart since Designing Women. She is so talented and just a pleasure to watch. I'm so happy she is seeing more roles especially being a older lady. Love you Jean💜💜

[@amandainsa1048]

Jean Smart is one of those rare actors that gives me goosebumps when I watch her performances. She is amazing. I love her SO much! I haven't watched Hack yet, but it's next on my list!

[@brinsonopinion]

Have adored her since Designing Women in the 80s. In that show she was capable of making you belly laugh & well up within seconds of each other. That's how well written that show was, and how talented Jean Smart is.

[@alexaales7937]

Frasier is my favorite sitcom, she was soooooo awesome in it, loved her! glad to hear, that she got her first Emmy for it, so well deserved!

[@amyfloren4581]

I watch Designing Women to this day. Jean was so good as the sweet and naive Charlene that it was a shock to me the first time I saw in a different role as Aileen Wournous (sp?) She is so versatile and talented and the respectful she speaks of her colleagues speaks volumes about her!

[@Blackolive28]

No mention of Legion. I loved seeing her in that and her playing opposite Jemaine Clements. Her character somehow set you at ease and on edge. Great stuff. She's great

[@Mr.EmeraldTheGreen]

I luv her so much!!! I was disappointed that they skipped over her role as Mrs. Ditmeyer on the Brady Bunch Movie, she was so hilarious in that. I would’ve loved to hear her go over that role!

[@coolwatters]

I thought the exact same thing! Even though it was a small roll it was hilarious and she owned it.

[@rogerwhisner8729]

She wants the Brady’s mail Larry!!!

[@nardo218]

Love her in Frasier! I can tell she had great fun with the role, she really cut loose and let her character be off the wall. She and her son Kirby the slacker were such fun to watch bickering.

[@TheOneSueSylvester]

Jean Smart is a treasure. I hope we get to enjoy her in the big screen and on TV, particularly Hacks, for many years.

[@berghorst]

Jean Smart is absolutely A+. What a talent.

[@kk-fl4pb]

I wish Frasier got a fraction of the hype Friends has, with Gen Z and with international audiences that are obsessed with Friends.

[@Anonymous-xm8ir]

Friends is about 6 friends. It’s so relatable. Frasier not so much.

[@AttnDefDis_]

I have loved Jean Smart since Designing Women and I'm so glad to still see her in awesome stuff like, Hacks and Fargo.

[@UrbanPurple1256]

finally, finally, *FINALLY* she does this type of video

[@steveraglin7607]

Jean Smart, it is WE who are grateful! Such talent and charm, wow!

[@MrHootiedean]

Icon! I loved her in Scarlett! She instantly elevates every project she's in!

[@Sunshine-zm1fx]

That's my favorite role she's ever had. She brought so much to that character.

[@mlk27743]

I loved her in Frasier & I adored her in the Bruce Willis movie 'the KID'

[@Bluebox87]

I love the sound of her voice so much.

[@snakamoto1591]

She is flippin good in everything!

[@Konsker]

love her voice

[@Belfastboi]

She’s so right about the scene getting cut. But my god I can’t wait to watch Babyon! Love Jean she’s so inspirational ❤

[@chloebergeron5430]

I adore Jean. I grew up watching her on 24! And she blows me away on hacks.

[@davidbolt5113]

I worked for someone like Jean Smart’s Hacks character, and the portrayal was spot on. It’s also the best comedy ever.

[@manthony225]

Didnt mention she won an Emmy for the series Samantha Who. She played Christina Applegate's mother. A great show nobody seems to remember.

[@brandothecatmeow]

I freaking love this woman. She is incredible.

[@watsonaqua4560]

A legend. Pure and simple. Hopefully lots more to COME!

[@mariemachelle]

I grew up loving Jean Smart, watching reruns of Designing Women. I lost my mind when she showed up on 24! She was so good there. She's honestly incredible in everything she's in, but her recent run has been great and well-deserved. Her role in Mare of East town was probably my favorite because she was so dry and funny, but also super emotionally impactful. Her last conversation with Kate's character at the dinner table was understated and devastating.

[@Ciercien]

one of my favorite shows she was in was mid 90's. Called "High Society" it was like the US version of Absolutely Fabulous with her and Mary McDonnell. She's amazing.

[@VUK71]

I STILL watch her on Designing Women!!! Charleen is one if my fav sitcom sweethearts!

[@jamespittman]

Great video and I love Jean Smart she is a great actress.😁

[@nubianfx]

LOVE her and im so glad she is getting her flowers!

[@stardustinpassing]

She's such a beautiful human being, inside and out! Hope she knows how much she is respected and loved even across the pond in Eastern Europe.

[@nomicons]

So glad she got to talk about Frasier!

[@kittyformanrn9268]

Jean is amazing. RIP Richard Gilliand.💗

[@GaymingAndStuff]

She is such an icon! I could listern to her talk and talk all day and night. Talk about such phenominal talent, and someone who just doesn't slow down!

[@aashiqamvsensei]

Missed legion series 😞 Her character in legion is so underrated

[@AmberOrtolano]

I was gonna say the same thing!!

[@TarotsApprentice]

Love these series.

[@fanofcanes44]

brilliant,brilliant,brilliant actress who deserves all the accolades and more. Such an incredible journey to becoming the person you is now. Congrats on everything ❤❤❤❤

[@matthewramsey4795]

Dr. Ann Possible!😊 Such a great video to get me caught up in some of what this overlooked performer has done in her career.

[@SharktopusMilk]

I was so hopeful that High Society might get a quick moment of coverage! 1st grade little me loved that show and wanted to be exactly like them when I grew up! Designer suits, pills, and cocktails, I have to think this was the blueprint for Karen Walker.

[@rk100364]

I was hoping for a clip on this show too.......... I was older than you, but loved it. I thought she and Mary McDonald wer great together. It was kind of a US attempt at "Absolutely Fabulous"

[@persoballauron5457]

Them not talking about her role in "Legion" made me wonder if she ever was in that show ... She was a freaking good part of it !!

[@LauraSomeNumber]

Give this woman an oscar role

[@laurielynne2006]

PLEASE!!!

[@BrownBrother27]

I wish Jean Smart and Delta Burke would guest star on "Young Sheldon" in a (sub)plot with Annie Potts' Meemaw. It'd be another "Designing Women" reunion, but the characters make tongue in cheek comments about the show and characters while watching a rerun of it in the closing scene.

[@joaniec6178]

One of my favourite TV moments ever is still Jean as Charlene in “Designing Women” miming “Signed, Sealed, Delivered… I’m Yours!” over and over because the record on the radio keeps skipping back to the same part. ❤

[@lexithebesti]

LOVE HER SO MUCHH💖💖😭

[@MuZiKiNmYMiNd]

I'm peeved that they didn't talk about her portrayal of Roseanna Remmick in the TV series "Harry's Law", in 2012. Such wonderful performances!

[@timfahey7127]

Patiently waiting for season 3 of Hacks!!

[@susannuccio7637]

I’ve been a huge fan of Smart’s forever and am over the moon for her success in Hacks.

[@ccan_max5285]

So good in Mare of Easttown

[@gigisilk798]

I adored her in Designing Women. One of the best shows, right next to Golden Girls.

[@fifi37475]

Hacks is such an incredible show - brilliantly funny and intimately profound!!!

[@Ty-ih9cu]

I love her so much. She's so beautiful

[@snakamoto1591]

She was soooo good in Garden State!!

[@michaelcain9324]

Could not love Jean more. Watchmen--especially the third episode, where she is introduced--is the best thing I've seen in 20 years.

[@Bill-lt2ll]

Always LOVED Jean Smart.

[@user-nh3pe2su5m]

Ms. Smart was great in Mare of Eastown!

[@janetclaireSays]

I loved her in Designing Women! Much later she played my son-in-law's mother in a guest spot on a different show.

[@otteotte7698]

That was such a good season of _24_

[@knsnsy]

the best

[@kazzalaaxxx6995]

It really was! I rewatch it every so often because everything about it was fantastic

[@Alexandragraceg]

Jean Smart is the best! 😍

[@olivermunevar-pelton9307]

Love her so much

[@kristeandreatujague7016]

Absolutely love her. 💙

[@Lizzy43645]

Love Jean so much!!!!!

[@MaoistBanker]

The greatest working actress.

[@EdgardoPadilla-nv9pe]

Jean Smart I love you!! You are the best!!

[@koraldavis3474]

She's magnificent ❤️❤️❤️

[@kelisworld6216]

Love her!!!

[@ericsmith1786]

Yes. What a good singer songwriter I love listening to her songs. How are you KELIS ?

[@martinsluke]

What a lovely lady. Just so modest and complementary of everyone else. I can’t believe she didn’t win an Emmy for designing women?!?

[@jerry1963ish]

Loved her in Designing Women, she is a great talent!

[@neverheal]

Jean is our Queen ❤

[@tylerdurden2017]

Love to see her do a career look back, but how do you mention Fargo and not mention legion??!! The same network. The same creator. Please if you love jean smart, see legion! She is absolutely amazing

[@iJuliaCB]

I'm in love with Jean Smart. What a talented woman.

[@adrianmartinez5826]

she can do anything always has its called committed n life & craft. I love her..

[@dejjibd424]

Very good in Mare of Easttown

[@jamescolgan6093]

Such a talented lady. Just watched the sag screener for Hacks, she great!

[@johnspalding]

I don't know why it took Watchmen for me to realize how cool she is. This video shows she has clearly had a remarkable career that only seems to keep getting better.

[@christopherchang7574]

She's so brilliant

[@AliseL22]

I just love Jean Smart 😍

[@HlifeRomania91]

Just love her❤

[@robertsherman7978]

LOVE - HER!!!🥰🐕

[@aslan9334]

She's right Frasier was a really good show!

[@darinblass]

I will always love Jean Smart for Designing Women if nothing else. But what a career! She's just so smart and can do so many different things. I'm glad she's getting the acclaim she deserves.

[@user-mz6ye4lx2c]

Brilliant actress

[@geoafe66]

Great in Mare of Easttown

[@mariavalentinavalentina4138]

Jean é fabulosa em todos os sentidos , amo muito ela

[@1Cheytown]

This woman is a GEM!! SO talented!! Wish they would have also included The Brady Bunch Movie... she was A RIOT in it

[@jaywhite1019]

LOVE her.

[@luislopez3726]

I just realized she did voice acting not only in Disney's Kim Possible, but also in an episode of Batman The Animated Series: she was Helen Ventrix in See No Evil.

[@ccan_max5285]

Very good actress

[@dhaang126]

If you love Jean Smart, check out her short-lived CBS sitcom "High Society". It was sort of an American version of Absolutely Fabulous. She is hilarious in it.

[@A-G-A-G]

She was so funny in watchmen

[@user-lc7kf1lg5p]

i can't believe they don't have her talk about her critically acclaimed performance on the first season of the hawaii five-0 reboot

[@Benjorunner]

I loved her in the Brady Bunch movie 🙂

[@richardg8651]

Shame on me for not previously recognizing the depth and breadth of Smart's career .

[@tulalalalalalalalala]

Uhm... excuuuuse me but where is "Forever Fabulous"?! That beautiful trainwreck of a movie is one of my most praised mp4 files!!! And Jean is wonderful in it. I'm not expecting this to gain traction but IT IS on youtube if anyone is interested.

[@samanthal133]

Love her in garden state

[@kitano0]

I loved "Designing Women" Jean Smart was my favorite...but that was a killer ensemble. Annie Potts is still fantastic on "Young Sheldon".