Lynn Whitfield Biography, family, career, Net Worth 2024. Lynn Whitfield’s path to fame and elements that played a role in her net worth in 2024.
Lynn Whitfield, formerly known as Lynn Smith, born on February 15, 1953, is an accomplished American actress. Commencing her acting journey in television and theatre, she later transitioned to impactful supporting roles in the realm of film.
Join our Telegram Channel for Updates
Her noteworthy performance as Josephine Baker in the HBO biographical film The Josephine Baker Story (1991) earned her a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie, along with a Golden Globe Award nomination.
Throughout the 1990s, Whitfield assumed leading roles in numerous made-for-television movies and secured pivotal parts in theatrical films such as 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). Her cinematic presence remained strong in the 2000s and 2010s with various notable roles.
Notably, from 2016 to 2020, she portrayed Lady Mae Greenleaf in the Oprah Winfrey Network dramatic series Greenleaf, receiving critical acclaim and clinching two NAACP Image Awards and a Gracie Award. In total, Lynn Whitfield has earned seven NAACP Image Awards for her outstanding contributions to the world of entertainment.
Lynn Whitfield Family
Lynn Whitfield Father
Lynn Whitfield’s father, Valerian Smith, who also served as a composer, crafting the musicals “The Supper” and “The Wake.”
Lynn Whitfield Mother
Whitfield was born to Jean Butler, who had previously served as the president of the Louisiana Housing Finance Agency.
Both of her parents played a crucial role in fostering Whitfield’s early passion for acting, being actively engaged in the Baton Rouge art scene. This interest in movies was instilled in her by her maternal grandmother, Estelle Devall Butler.
Lynn Whitfield Daughter (Grace Gibson)
After divorcing Vantile Whitfield in the late 70s, Lynn subsequently tied the knot with British director Brian Gibson in 1990. The couple shares a daughter named Grace.
Lynn Whitfield Career
After completing her education, she initially gained recognition on stage with the Black Repertory Company in Washington, D.C.
In 1974, she married Vantile Whitfield, a playwright, director, and actor, who was one of the co-founders of the company and a trailblazer in black theatre. Transitioning to New York, she took on off-Broadway roles in productions like The Great Macdaddy and Showdown Time.
Her international acclaim came with the 1977 production of the groundbreaking play “for colored girls who have considered suicide / When the Rainbow Is Enuf,” where she toured the United States, Australia, and London’s West End alongside Alfre Woodard.
Whitfield marked her professional screen debut in 1981 as Jill Thomas in the critically acclaimed NBC serial drama Hill Street Blues.
In 1983, she ventured into film with a supporting role in the comedy Doctor Detroit (1983), playing Thelma Cleland. Her filmography expanded with roles in The Slugger’s Wife, Silverado, and Jaws: The Revenge. Notable television appearances included The George McKenna Story opposite Denzel Washington, Johnnie Mae Gibson: FBI, and The Women of Brewster Place alongside Oprah Winfrey and Cicely Tyson. She also joined the cast of the short-lived 1988 ABC female-driven medical drama series Heartbeat.
Whitfield gained widespread recognition for her portrayal of Josephine Baker in The Josephine Baker Story (1991). The HBO biopic required her to age from 18 to 68 and earned her a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie. She received a Golden Globe nomination and won the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie. Following this success, she had a recurring role in the ABC legal drama Equal Justice and starred in various made-for-television movies, including Stompin’ at the Savoy (1992), Taking the Heat (1993), The Wedding (1998), and Deep in My Heart (1999).
In 1996, she played the lead role opposite Martin Lawrence in the dark romantic comedy A Thin Line Between Love and Hate.
Whitfield continued her career with supporting roles in films such as Head of State (2003), Madea’s Family Reunion (2006), The Women (2008), and Nappily Ever After (2018).
On television, she had recurring roles in Boston Public, Without a Trace, and Mistresses. Her significant TV role came as Lady Mae Greenleaf in the Oprah Winfrey Network series Greenleaf, where she received critical acclaim and won NAACP Image Awards and a Gracie Award.
In 2015, she played the main villain in Greenleaf and later took on a leading role in the series’ planned spinoff. Whitfield has remained active in both film and television, with recent appearances in Vacation Friends (2021) and plans for the action comedy film, The Retirement Plan (2023), alongside Nicolas Cage and Ron Perlman.
Lynn Whitfield Awards, Nominations and Achievements
| Year | Award | Category | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Emmy Awards | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Special | Won |
| 1992 | Golden Globe Awards | Best Performance by an Actress in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TV | Nominated |
| 1992 | CableACE Award | Actress in a Movie or Miniseries | Nominated |
| 1993 | NAACP Image Awards | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, Mini-Series or Television Movie | Won |
| 1998 | – | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Motion Picture | Nominated |
| 1998 | – | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series | Won |
| 1999 | – | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Television Movie or Mini-Series | Nominated |
| 2000 | – | Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie/Miniseries/Dramatic Special | Nominated |
| 2000 | – | Outstanding Performance in a Youth or Children’s Series/Special | Won |
| 1999 | Online Film & Television Association | Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture or Miniseries | Nominated |
| 2000 | Black Reel Awards | Network/Cable – Best Actress | Nominated |
| 2004 | – | Television: Best Supporting Actress | Nominated |
| 2005 | – | Best Actress, Network/Cable Television | Won |
| 2005 | Women Film Critics Circle Awards | Acting and Activism Award | Won |
| 2005 | NAACP Image Awards | Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special | Won |
| 2016 | – | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series | Nominated |
| 2017 | Gracie Awards | Actress in a Supporting Role – Drama | Won |
| 2017 | Los Angeles Film Festival | Best Ensemble Cast | Won |
| 2018 | NAACP Image Awards | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series | Nominated |
| 2019 | – | – | Won |
| 2018 | Black Reel Award | Outstanding Supporting Actress, Drama Series | Nominated |
| 2019 | – | – | Nominated |
| 2020 | NAACP Image Awards | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series | Won |
Lynn Whitfield Movies and TV Shows
Movies
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Doctor Detroit | Thelma Cleland | |
| 1985 | The Slugger’s Wife | Tina Alvarado | |
| 1985 | Silverado | Rae Johnson | |
| 1987 | Jaws: The Revenge | Louisa McCay | |
| 1989 | Dead Aim | Sheila Freeman | |
| 1994 | In the Army Now | Sgt. Ladd | |
| 1996 | A Thin Line Between Love and Hate | Brandi Web | |
| 1997 | Gone Fishin’ | Angie | |
| 1997 | The Planet of Junior Brown | Mrs. Brown | |
| 1997 | Eve’s Bayou | Roz Batiste | |
| 1998 | Stepmom | Dr. P. Sweikert | |
| 2002 | A Time for Dancing | Linda Derricks | |
| 2003 | Head of State | Debra Lassiter | |
| 2006 | Madea’s Family Reunion | Victoria Breaux | |
| 2006 | Confessions | Dr. Page | |
| 2008 | Kings of the Evening | Gracie | |
| 2008 | The Women | Glenda Hill | |
| 2009 | The Rebound | Laura Reilly | |
| 2011 | Mama, I Want to Sing! | Lillian Winter | |
| 2011 | All Things Fall Apart | Bee | |
| 2012 | Battlefield America | Ms. Lynn Parker | |
| 2012 | Redemption of a Dog | Francine | |
| 2012 | Training to Be A Superhero | MiMi Jakes (Short film and also producer) | |
| 2013 | Lonely Boy | Dr. Christine Nolan | |
| 2013 | 24 Hour Love | Cynthia | |
| 2013 | King’s Faith | Vanessa | |
| 2013 | Act Like You Love Me | Harriett Lofton | |
| 2013 | Someone to Love | Sophia Brent (Also producer) | |
| 2013 | The Last Letter | Lorraine | |
| 2013 | The Dempsey Sisters | Olivia Norman | |
| 2014 | Blood Lines | Vivian | |
| 2014 | Take the Spotlight | Lynn Watson | |
| 2014 | 30 Days in Atlanta | Clara the Immigration Lawyer | |
| 2014 | Lap Dance | Momma Pearl | |
| 2015 | Curve Ball | Dr. Layne | |
| 2016 | Prayer Never Fails | Loral Hess | |
| 2016 | The North Star | Miss Grace | |
| 2017 | Espionage Tonight | Sydney Greenstreet | |
| 2018 | Nappily Ever After | Paulette Jones | |
| 2018 | Solace | Irene | |
| 2020 | Tales from the Hood 3 | Marie Benoit (Video) | |
| 2021 | Vacation Friends | Suzanne Conway | |
| 2023 | The Retirement Plan | Francine Drisdale |
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” |
| 1985 | Miami Vice | Odette Ribaud | Episode: “Bought and Paid For” |
| 1985 | The Insiders | Yvonne | Episode: “All This and the Old School Tie” |
| 1985 | The Fall Guy | Jeanne | Episode: “Escape Claus” |
| 1985 | The Fisher Family | – | Episode: “How Shall We Then Live?” |
| 1986 | The New Mike Hammer | Della Marvel | Episode: “Harlem Nocturne” |
| 1986 | Tall Tales & Legends | Pollie Ann | Episode: “John Henry” |
| 1986 | Johnnie Mae Gibson: FBI | Johnnie Mae Gibson | TV movie |
| 1986 | The George McKenna Story | Bobbie Maxwell | TV movie |
| 1988 | St. Elsewhere | Annie Callan | Episode: “Curtains” |
| 1988–89 | HeartBeat | Dr. Cory Banks | Main cast |
| 1989 | The Women of Brewster Place | Lucielia “Ciel” Turner | Episode: “Episode #1.1 & #1.2” |
| 1989 | Snoops | Denise Kendall | Recurring cast |
| 1990 | American Playhouse | – | Episode: “Zora Is My Name!” |
| 1990 | Matlock | Angela Page | Episode: “The Informer Part 1 & 2” |
| 1991 | Equal Justice | Maggie Mayfield | Recurring cast: season 2 |
| 1991 | The Trials of Rosie O’Neill | – | Episode: “Domestic Silence” |
| 1991 | The Josephine Baker Story | Josephine Baker | TV movie |
| 1991 | A Triumph of the Heart: The Ricky Bell Story | 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 |
| 1994 | Thicker Than Blood: The Larry McLinden Story | Bobbie Mallory | TV movie |
| 1994–95 | The Cosby Mysteries | Barbara Lorenz | Main cast |
| 1996 | Sophie & the Moonhanger | Sophie | TV movie |
| 1997 | Martin | Ellen | Episode: “Goin’ Overboard: Part 1 & 2” |
| 1997 | Touched by an Angel | Dr. Serena Hall | Episode: “Amazing Grace: Part 1 & 2” |
| 1998 | The Wedding | Corinne Coles | TV movie |
| 1998 | The Color of Courage | Minnie McGhee | TV movie |
| 1999 | Deep in My Heart | Corinne Burrell | TV movie |
| 1999 | Dangerous Evidence: The Lori Jackson Story | Lori Jackson | TV movie |
| 1999 | Love Songs | Jean Simpson | TV movie |
| 2001 | A Girl Thing | Nia Morgan | TV movie |
| 2001 | Boston Public | Louanna Harper | Recurring cast: season 2 |
| 2002 | Lost in Oz | Bellaridere | TV movie |
| 2002–06 | Without a Trace | Paula Van Doren | Recurring cast: season 1, guest: season 2 & 4 |
| 2003 | The Cheetah Girls | Dorothea Garibaldi | TV movie |
| 2004 | Redemption: The Stan Tookie Williams Story | Barbara Becnel | TV movie |
| 2004 | Strong Medicine | Dr. Marshall | Episode: “Race for a Cure” |
| 2006 | Shark | Anita Astin | Episode: “Pilot” |
| 2006 | The Cheetah Girls 2 | Dorothea Garibaldi | TV movie |
| 2009 | FlashForward | Anastasia Markham | Episode: “White to Play” |
| 2012 | Somebody’s Child | Constance | TV movie |
| 2012 | Are We There Yet? | Pamela “Pam” Washington | Episode: “The Mother’s-in-Law Episode” & “The Thanksgiving Episode” |
| 2014 | Family Time | Donna | Episode: “The Will” |
| 2014 | My Other Mother | Mary Jo | TV movie |
| 2014 | The Fright Night Files | Madame Mabry | TV movie |
| 2014–15 | How to Get Away with Murder | Mary Walker | Recurring cast: season 1 |
| 2014–16 | Hit the Floor | Vanessa Howard | Recurring cast: season 2-3 |
| 2015 | Chasing Life | Karen Callahan | Episode: “Model Behavior” & “No News Is Bad News” |
| 2015 | Fear Files | Madame Mabry | TV movie |
| 2015–16 | Mistresses | Marjorie | Guest: season 3, recurring cast: season 4 |
| 2016–20 | 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 | The Chi | Alicia | 4 episodes |
Lynn Whitfield Net Worth 2024
Lynn Whitfield has had a career that spans both the stage and screen. her net worth is estimated to reach $15 million in 2024, underscoring a journey adorned with roles that have garnered critical acclaim.
