Lynn Whitfield

Lynn Whitfield is an actress from the United States. She was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on February 15th, 1953. Former Louisiana Housing Authority President Jean and Dr. Valerian Smith are her parents. She holds a BFA from Howard University. Both of Whitfield's parents fostered her early interest in acting. She first gained prominence on stage after graduating by performing with the Black Repertory Company in Washington, D.C. She debuted in her acting career through television and theatre before moving on to cinema supporting roles. Whitfield has had two marriages. First, she married Vantile Whitfield, a dramatist, director, and actor. Later she married filmmaker Brian Gibson and had a daughter, Grace, with him.

Lynn's Hollywood career began in 1979 as part of Columbia Pictures' talent development program. She made her breakthrough on the screen in 1981 as Jill Thomas in the NBC serial drama “Hill Street Blues,” which received critical acclaim. Whitfield rose to prominence after playing Josephine Baker in “The Josephine Baker Story” (1991). In 1996, Whitfield co-starred in the dark romantic comedy film "A Thin Line Between Love and Hate" with Martin Lawrence Martin Lawrence was born on April 16th, 1965 in We >> Read More... in a lead role. Whitfield made numerous television and film appearances as a supporting, starring, and recurring character. She has appeared in several films such as "Doctor Detroit,” "Jaws: The Revenge,” "The Planet of Junior Brown,” "Mama, I Want to Sing!" "Training to Be A Superhero,” "30 Days in Atlanta”, " Prayer Never Fails Click to look into! >> Read More... ,” "Nappily Ever After,” and many others. "Matt Houston,” "Johnnie Mae Gibson: FBI,” "The Women of Brewster Place,” "Redemption: The Stan Tookie Williams Story,” "A Triumph of the Heart: The Ricky Bell Story,” "Dangerous Evidence: The Lori Jackson Story,” "Thicker Than Blood: The Larry Mc Linden Story,” and "How to Get Away with Murder" are just a few of her credits in television.

She's been in a variety of Television shows as a guest appearance. Several nominations and awards were bestowed on her. Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Special for "The Josephine Baker Story" (1991 & 1993); Best Actress, Network/Cable Television, Acting, and Activism Award, Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series, or Dramatic Special for "Redemption: The Stan Tookie Williams Story" (2005); Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for "Greenleaf" (2018, 2019, 2020), are some of the awards that she won.