
Lois Smith
ActingAbout Lois Smith
Lois Arlene Smith (née Humbert; born November 3, 1930) is an American actress. She made her film debut in the 1955 drama film East of Eden, and later played supporting roles in a number of movies, including Five Easy Pieces (1970), Resurrection (1980), Fatal Attraction (1987), Fried Green Tomatoes (1991), How to Make an American Quilt (1995), Dead Man Walking, Twister (1996), Minority Report (2002), The Nice Guys (2016) and Lady Bird (2017). In 2017, Smith received critical acclaim for her leading performance in the science-fiction drama film Marjorie Prime, for which she was nominated for an Independent Spirit Awards, Gotham Awards and Saturn Award, and well as won Satellite Award. Smith also has had many roles on television, both daytime and prime time. She was regular cast member in the HBO horror drama True Blood, and well as received Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Guest Performer in a Drama Series nomination for The Americans. Smith also is known for her extensive work in the theatre, receiving two Tony Award nominations for originating the role of Ma Joad in The Grapes of Wrath (1990) and for the role of Halie in a revival of Buried Child in 1996. She also starred in an acclaimed Off-Broadway revival of The Trip to Bountiful in 2005 for which she received an Obie Award for Best Actress, an Outer Critics Circle Award, a Lucille Lortel Award, and a Drama Desk Award. Smith is an ensemble member of Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago. Description above from the Wikipedia article Lois Smith, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.
Lois Smith Movies & Career Overview
The filmography of Lois Smith reflects a strong mix of popular and critically appreciated roles. Across 50 major appearances, the actor has built a reputation through performances in multiple genres and storytelling styles.
Dominant Genre
A large portion of Lois Smith's work falls within the Drama genre, where audiences tend to respond most strongly to their on-screen presence.
Success Ratio
Approximately 52% of Lois Smith's films maintain ratings above 6.5, indicating a consistent level of audience approval.
One of the most highly rated entries in their career remains The Great Work Begins: Scenes from Angels in America, which stands out as a key performance.
Best Lois Smith Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Lois Smith's career based on audience ratings.
Full Filmography
Every movie Lois Smith has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | The Uninvited | Helen | Average | Similar → |
| 2021 | The French Dispatch of the Liberty, Kansas Evening Sun | Upshur 'Maw' Clampette | Hit | Similar → |
| 2020 | Uncle Frank | Aunt Butch | Hit | Similar → |
| 2020 | The Great Work Begins: Scenes from Angels in America | Harper Pitt | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 2020 | Tesla | The Grande Dame | Average | Similar → |
| 2017 | Lady Bird | Sister Sarah Joan | Hit | Similar → |
| 2017 | Marjorie Prime | Marjorie | Average | Similar → |
| 2016 | The Nice Guys | Mrs. Glenn | Hit | Similar → |
| 2015 | Run All Night | Margaret Conlon | Average | Similar → |
| 2014 | Showing Up | Self | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 2012 | The Odd Life of Timothy Green | Aunt Mel | Hit | Similar → |
| 2012 | Roadie | Mom | Average | Similar → |
| 2010 | Please Give | Mrs. Portman | Average | Similar → |
| 2009 | A Dog Year | Lois Blair | Average | Similar → |
| 2006 | Griffin & Phoenix | Dr. Imberman | Hit | Similar → |
| 2006 | Hollywoodland | Helen Bessolo | Average | Similar → |
| 2006 | Little Fugitive | Elizabeth | Average | Similar → |
| 2006 | Little Fugitive | Social Worker | Average | Similar → |
| 2005 | Sweet Land | Inge (as an older woman) | Average | Similar → |
| 2004 | Iron Jawed Angels | Reverend Anna Howard Shaw | Hit | Similar → |
| 2002 | Minority Report | Dr. Iris Hineman | Hit | Similar → |
| 2002 | The Laramie Project | Lucy Thompson | Average | Similar → |
| 2001 | Powder Keg | Mother | Hit | Similar → |
| 2001 | The Pledge | Helen Jackson | Hit | Similar → |
| 1999 | Tumbleweeds | Ginger | Average | Similar → |
| 1996 | Twister | Aunt Meg | Hit | Similar → |
| 1995 | Dead Man Walking | Helen's Mother | Hit | Similar → |
| 1995 | How to Make an American Quilt | Sophia | Average | Similar → |
| 1995 | Truman | Madge Wallace Gates | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1993 | Falling Down | D-Fens' Mother | Hit | Similar → |
| 1993 | Skylark | Lou Wheaton | Hit | Similar → |
| 1992 | The Donner Party | voice | Hit | Similar → |
| 1992 | Keep the Change | Lureen | Average | Similar → |
| 1991 | Fried Green Tomatoes | Mama Threadgoode | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1991 | White Hot: The Mysterious Murder of Thelma Todd | Alice Todd | Average | Similar → |
| 1991 | Coney Island | (voice) | Average | Similar → |
| 1990 | Green Card | Brontë's Mother | Average | Similar → |
| 1988 | Hello Actors Studio | Self | Hit | Similar → |
| 1988 | Midnight Run | Mrs. Nelson, Mardukas's Friend | Hit | Similar → |
| 1987 | Fatal Attraction | Martha | Hit | Similar → |
| 1987 | Black Widow | Sara | Average | Similar → |
| 1985 | The Execution of Raymond Graham | Mary Neal | Average | Similar → |
| 1983 | Reuben, Reuben | Mare Spofford | Average | Similar → |
| 1981 | Four Friends | Mrs. Carnahan | Hit | Similar → |
| 1980 | Resurrection | Kathy | Hit | Similar → |
| 1980 | Foxes | Mrs. Axman | Average | Similar → |
| 1976 | Next Stop, Greenwich Village | Anita Cunningham | Average | Similar → |
| 1972 | Up the Sandbox | Elinore | Average | Similar → |
| 1970 | Five Easy Pieces | Partita Dupea | Hit | Similar → |
| 1955 | East of Eden | Anne | Super Hit | Similar → |
Lois Smith - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of Lois Smith?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Lois Smith is "The Great Work Begins: Scenes from Angels in America" with a rating of 10.0/10.
How many movies has Lois Smith acted in?
Lois Smith has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by Lois Smith?
Other notable films include "Showing Up", "Fried Green Tomatoes", and "Truman".




