Lynn Whitfield

Lynn Whitfield (née Smith; born February 15, 1953) is an American actress. She began her acting career in television and theatre before progressing to supporting roles in film. She won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie and received a Golden Globe Award nomination for her breakout performance as Josephine Baker in the HBO biographical film The Josephine Baker Story.

In the 1990s, Whitfield played leading roles in a number of made-for-television movies and had several starring roles in theatrical films, including A Thin Line Between Love and Hate (1996), Gone Fishin' (1997), Eve's Bayou (1997), Stepmom (1998), Head of State (2003), Madea's Family Reunion (2006), and The Women (2008). Whitfield also starred in a number of movies in the 2000s and 2010s. From 2016 to 2020, she starred as Lady Mae Greenleaf in the Oprah Winfrey Network dramatic series Greenleaf, for which she won critical acclaim and garnered two NAACP Image Awards and a Gracie Award. She later appeared in films Nappily Ever After (2018), Vacation Friends (2021) and The Retirement Plan (2023). Whitfield has won a total of seven NAACP Image Awards.

Early life Whitfield was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the daughter of Jean (née Butler), a former president of the Louisiana Housing Finance Agency, and Dr. Valerian Smith, who was also a composer who wrote the musicals, The Supper and The Wake. Her mother is a founding member of the Baton Rouge chapter of The Links Incorporated and is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. Whitfield is an honorary member of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority.

Career 1970s Following graduation, she first garnered attention on the stage by performing with the Black Repertory Company in Washington, D.C. She married playwright/director/actor Vantile Whitfield, one of the company's co-founders and a pioneer of black theatre, in 1974. She eventually moved to New York and appeared off-Broadway in such shows as The Great Macdaddy and Showdown Time before earning international acclaim touring the United States, Australia and London's West End in the 1977 production of the landmark play "for colored girls who have considered suicide / when the rainbow is enuf" alongside Alfre Woodard.

1980s Whitfield made her professional screen debut in 1981 as Jill Thomas in the critically acclaimed NBC serial drama Hill Street Blues. In 1983, she appeared in the comedy film Doctor Detroit (1983), playing the supporting role of Thelma Cleland. She later co-starred in the films The Slugger's Wife, Silverado, and Jaws: The Revenge. She also starred in the television films The George McKenna Story opposite Denzel Washington and Johnnie Mae Gibson: FBI as the title character and in the ABC miniseries The Women of Brewster Place alongside Oprah Winfrey and Cicely Tyson). After a highly publicized casting call, Whitfield was chosen over hundreds of women. In the movie, she appeared nude on-screen. In his review, Ken Tucker of Entertainment Weekly said: "Whitfield is exceptionally good as the legendary singer-dancer who came to prominence in the ’20s for her throaty singing and her notorious "banana dance"—a wiggly little number executed while wearing nothing except a skirt of real bananas." The New York Times added that Whitfield "powerfully captures her [Baker's] passionate determination. " Whitfield won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie for her role, and said this gave her "the greatest sense of accomplishment and realization of my vision. It absolutely called upon everything I thought I could do at that point." She also received a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Miniseries or Television Film nomination and won the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special.

After her breakthrough as Josephine Baker, Whitfield had the recurring role in the ABC legal drama Equal Justice, appearing opposite Joe Morton. She continued her career, starring in the made-for-television movies A Triumph of the Heart: The Ricky Bell Story (1991); Stompin' at the Savoy (1992) with Vanessa L. Williams, Jasmine Guy, and Vanessa Bell Calloway; Taking the Heat (1993) with Tony Goldwyn; State of Emergency (1994) with Joe Mantegna; Sophie and the Moonhanger (1996); The Wedding (1998), as Halle Berry's mother; The Color of Courage (1998) alongside Linda Hamilton; and Deep in My Heart (1999) opposite Anne Bancroft. She also had a regular role on the short-lived NBC detective series The Cosby Mysteries from 1994 to 1995 and later guest-starred on Martin and Touched by an Angel.

In 1996, Whitfield was cast as the female lead opposite Martin Lawrence in the dark romantic comedy film A Thin Line Between Love and Hate. At the time of filming, Lawrence was 12 years younger than Whitfield, who was then 42. The film grossed over $35 million against a budget of $8 million. In 1997, she co-starred opposite Danny Glover and Rosanna Arquette in the comedy film Gone Fishin', appeared in the supporting role in the Canadian drama The Planet of Junior Brown, and played the mother of Jurnee Smollett's title character in the critically acclaimed independent drama Eve's Bayou. In 1998, Whitfield had supporting role of an oncologist in the comedy-drama film Stepmom.

2000s—present

In the 2000s, Whitfield had many supporting roles on television and in films. She co-starred in the Chris Rock comedy film Head of State (2003) and Tyler Perry's Madea's Family Reunion (2006). Whitfield also appeared in The Women (2008), The Rebound (2009), and Mama, I Want to Sing (2011) and had many roles in low-profile B-movies. She also starred as Dorothea Garibaldi, the mother of Galleria (played by Raven-Symoné) in the Disney Channel films The Cheetah Girls and The Cheetah Girls 2. In 2004, she played Barbara Becnel in the made-for-television movie Redemption: The Stan Tookie Williams Story receiving NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special.

On television, Whitfield had recurring roles on Boston Public and Without a Trace in the 2000s. From 2014 to 2015, she appeared in the ABC legal drama How to Get Away with Murder as villainous Mary Walker. She also had a recurring role on Hit the Floor and appeared as the abusive mother of April (Rochelle Aytes) on Mistresses.

In 2015, Whitfield was cast as the main villain in Greenleaf, the Oprah Winfrey Network original scripted drama series about the unscrupulous world of the Greenleaf family and their sprawling Memphis megachurch. Whitfield played the leading role of Lady Mae Greenleaf, the imperious minister's wife and the power- and money-hungry matriarch of the family. The series also starred Keith David, Merle Dandridge, Kim Hawthorne, and Oprah Winfrey. Whitfield received positive reviews from critics for her performance. One critic stated: "Whitfield has the imperious aura of a grand soap opera diva in the tradition of Joan Collins." She won the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series in 2019 and 2020 as well as the Gracie Award for Outstanding Female Actor in a Supporting Role in a Drama Series in 2017. The series ended in 2020 after five seasons and 60 episodes. Whitfield later was cast in a leading role in Greenleaf'''s planned spinoff.

In 2018, Whitfield co-starred opposite Sanaa Lathan in the romantic comedy film Nappily Ever After, which was released on Netflix. She guest-starred as Shaunette Renée Wilson's mother, a famous Nigerian surgeon, on the Fox medical drama The Resident in 2019. In 2021, she co-starred in the comedy film Vacation Friends. In 2023, she appeared opposite Nicolas Cage and Ron Perlman in the action comedy film, The Retirement Plan. Also in 2023, she was cast as Alicia, an intimidating, fearless and powerful matriarch, in the Showtime crime drama series, The Chi during its sixth season. She was promoted to series regular for the seven season. In 2024, Whitfield starred in the road drama film, Albany Road directed and written by Christine Swanson.

In 2025, Whitfield voiced an older Noni in the second episode of the miniseries Eyes of Wakanda''.

Personal life

Whitfield has been married twice. Her first husband, from 1974 to 1978, was Vantile Whitfield. From 1990 to 1992, she was married to director Brian Gibson, with whom she had a daughter, Grace.

Filmography

Film Year Title Role Notes 1983 Doctor Detroit Thelma Cleland 1985 Tina Alvarado Silverado Rae Johnson 1986 The George McKenna Story Bobbie Maxwell 1987 Jaws: The Revenge Louisa McCay 1989 Dead Aim Sheila Freeman 1994 In the Army Now Sgt. Ladd 1996 Brandi Web 1997 Gone Fishin' Angie Mrs. Brown Eve's Bayou Roz Batiste 1998 Stepmom Dr. P. Sweikert 2002 Linda Derricks 2003 Head of State Debra Lassiter 2006 Madea's Family Reunion Victoria Breaux Confessions Dr. Page 2008 Kings of the Evening Gracie Glenda Hill 2009 The Rebound Laura Reilly 2011 Mama, I Want to Sing! Lillian Winter All Things Fall Apart Bee 2012 Battlefield America Ms. Lynn Parker Redemption of a Dog Francine Training to Be A Superhero MiMi Jakes Short film and also producer 2013 Lonely Boy Dr. Christine Nolan 24 Hour Love Cynthia King's Faith Vanessa Act Like You Love Me Harriett Lofton Someone to Love Sophia Brent Also producer The Last Letter Lorraine The Dempsey Sisters Olivia Norman 2014 Blood Lines Vivian Take the Spotlight Lynn Watson 30 Days in Atlanta Clara the Immigration Lawyer Lap Dance Momma Pearl 2015 Curve Ball Dr. Layne 2016 Prayer Never Fails Loral Hess The North Star Miss Grace 2017 Espionage Tonight Sydney Greenstreet 2018 Nappily Ever After Paulette Jones Solace Irene 2020 Tales from the Hood 3 Marie Benoit Video 2021 Vacation Friends Suzanne Conway 2023 The Retirement Plan Francine Drisdale 2024 Albany Road Paula Henderson 2026 Strung Audra Jelani

Television Year Title Role Notes 1981 Hill Street Blues Jill Thomas Recurring cast: season 1, guest: season 2 1982 American Playhouse Woman in the bath Episode: "For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow Is Enuf" 1983 Matt Houston Val Episode: "The Centerfold Murders" 1985 Cagney & Lacey Eleanor Taggart Episode: "Who Says It's Fair: Part 1 & 2" Miami Vice Odette Ribaud Episode: "Bought and Paid For" The Insiders Yvonne Episode: "All This and the Old School Tie" Jeanne Episode: "Escape Claus" The Fisher Family - Episode: "How Shall We Then Live?" 1986 Della Marvel Episode: "Harlem Nocturne" Tall Tales & Legends Pollie Ann Episode: "John Henry" Johnnie Mae Gibson: FBI Johnnie Mae Gibson TV movie The George McKenna Story Bobbie Maxwell TV movie 1988 St. Elsewhere Annie Callan Episode: "Curtains" 1988–1989 HeartBeat Dr. Cory Banks Main cast 1989 Lucielia "Ciel" Turner Episode: "Episode #1.1 & #1.2" Snoops Denise Kendall Recurring cast 1990 American Playhouse - Episode: "Zora Is My Name!" Matlock Angela Page Episode: "The Informer Part 1 & 2" 1991 Equal Justice Maggie Mayfield Recurring cast: season 2 Episode: "Domestic Silence" Josephine Baker TV movie Natala TV movie 1992 Stompin' at the Savoy Esther TV movie 1993 Taking the Heat Carolyn Hunter TV movie 1994 State of Emergency Dehlia Johnson TV movie Thicker Than Blood: The Larry McLinden Story Bobbie Mallory TV movie 1994–1995 Barbara Lorenz Main cast 1996 Sophie & the Moonhanger Sophie TV movie 1997 Martin Ellen Episode: "Goin' Overboard: Part 1 & 2" Touched by an Angel Dr. Serena Hall Episode: "Amazing Grace: Part 1 & 2" 1998 Corinne Coles TV movie Minnie McGhee TV movie 1999 Deep in My Heart Corinne Burrell TV movie Dangerous Evidence: The Lori Jackson Story Lori Jackson TV movie Love Songs Jean Simpson TV movie 2001 Nia Morgan TV movie Boston Public Louanna Harper Recurring cast: season 2 2002 Lost in Oz Bellaridere TV movie 2002–2006 Without a Trace Paula Van Doren Recurring cast: season 1, guest: season 2 & 4 2003 Dorothea Garibaldi TV movie 2004 Redemption: The Stan Tookie Williams Story Barbara Becnel TV movie Strong Medicine Dr. Marshall Episode: "Race for a Cure" 2006 Shark Anita Astin Episode: "Pilot" Dorothea Garibaldi TV movie 2009 FlashForward Anastasia Markham Episode: "White to Play" 2012 Somebody's Child Constance TV movie Are We There Yet? Pamela "Pam" Washington Episode: "The Mother's-in-Law Episode" & "The Thanksgiving Episode"2013 Fatal Attraction Narrator Season 12014 Family Time Donna Episode: "The Will" My Other Mother Mary Jo TV movie The Fright Night Files Madame Mabry TV movie 2014–2015 How to Get Away with Murder Mary Walker Recurring cast: season 1 2014–2016 Hit the Floor Vanessa Howard Recurring cast: season 2-3 2015 Chasing Life Karen Callahan Episode: "Model Behavior" & "No News Is Bad News" Fear Files Madame Mabry TV movie 2015–2016 Mistresses Marjorie Guest: season 3, recurring cast: season 4 2016–2020 Greenleaf Lady Mae Greenleaf Main cast 2019 The Resident Josephine Okeke Episode: "Queens" 2022 We Need a Little Christmas Irene TV movie 2023 Fantasy Island Judy Jackson Episode: "Mystery in Miami" 2023–2025 The Chi Alicia 24 episodes 2025 Eyes of Wakanda Old Noni (voice) Episode: "Legends and Lies" St. Denis Medical Barb Episode: "A Very Robust Personal Life" 2027 The Cheetah Girls: Next Gen Dorothea Garibaldi TV movie - Post-production

Awards and nominations Year Award Category Work Result 1991 Emmy Awards Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Special The Josephine Baker Story 1992 Golden Globe Awards Best Performance by an Actress in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TV CableACE Award Actress in a Movie or Miniseries 1993 NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, Mini-Series or Television Movie 1998 Outstanding Lead Actress in a Motion Picture Eve's Bayou Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series Touched by an Angel 1999 Outstanding Lead Actress in a Television Movie or Mini-Series The Wedding Online Film & Television Association Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture or MiniseriesThe Color of Courage 2000 NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie/Miniseries/Dramatic Special Dangerous Evidence: The Lori Jackson Story Outstanding Performance in a Youth or Children's Series/Special The Planet of Junior Brown Black Reel Awards Network/Cable - Best Actress Love Songs 2004 Television: Best Supporting Actress The Cheetah Girls 2005 Best Actress, Network/Cable Television Redemption: The Stan Tookie Williams Story Women Film Critics Circle Awards Acting and Activism Award NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special 2016 Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama SeriesGreenleaf 2017 Gracie Awards Actress in a Supporting Role - Drama Los Angeles Film Festival Best Ensemble CastSolace 2018 Black Reel Award Outstanding Supporting Actress, Drama Series Greenleaf NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series 2019 Black Reel Award Outstanding Supporting Actress, Drama Series 2020 NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series 2021 2025 Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture Albany Road Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series The Chi