Yeardley Smith Biography: Martha Maria Yeardley Smith born July 3, 1964, is an American actress best known for voicing Lisa Simpson on the long-running animated series The Simpsons. Smith began her acting career in 1982 after completing drama school. She relocated to New York City in 1984, where she appeared on Broadway in Tom Stoppard’s The Real Thing. Her film debut came in 1985 with Heaven Help Us, followed by roles in The Legend of Billie Jean and Maximum Overdrive. She later moved to Los Angeles in 1986 and secured a recurring role on the TV series Brothers. In 1987, Smith auditioned for the Simpsons shorts on The Tracey Ullman Show. She originally aimed to voice Bart Simpson, but her voice was considered too high-pitched for the role, and she was instead cast as Lisa Simpson.
Yeardley Smith Biography
Yeardley Smith, an offbeat comic actress and voice talent, has turned her distinctive voice, petite stature, and youthful appearance into a lasting career asset. Best known as the voice behind Lisa Simpson—the intelligent, compassionate, saxophone-playing, vegetarian daughter on The Simpsons—Smith has been a core part of the beloved animated series for over three decades.
Yeardley Smith Biography 2025 Details
Born |
Martha Maria Yeardley Smith
July 3, 1964 Paris, France
|
---|---|
Citizenship | United States |
Occupation | Actress |
Years active | 1982–present |
Spouses |
Christopher Grove (m. 1990; div. 1992) Daniel Erickson
(m. 2002; div. 2008) Daniel Grice
(m. 2022)
|
Category | Singers Bio |
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About Yeardley Smith
Martha Maria Yeardley Smith is an American actress. She stars as the voice of Lisa Simpson on the animated television series The Simpsons. Smith began acting in 1982 after graduating from drama school. She moved to New York City in 1984, where she appeared in the Broadway production of Tom Stoppard’s The Real Thing.
Yeardley Smith Personal Life
Although American, Yeardley Smith was born Martha Maria Yeardley Smith on July 3, 1964, in Paris, France, where her father worked as a correspondent for United Press International (UPI). When she was two years old, her family relocated to Washington, D.C., where she grew up. A shy and introspective child, Smith began performing as a teenager in local dinner theater, landing her first role as Tinkerbell in a musical version of Peter Pan. After high school, she spent time as an apprentice at Arena Stage, a prominent regional theater in D.C.
Yeardley Smith Wiki
- Born: 3 July 1964 (age 60 years), Paris, France
- Spouse: Daniel Erickson (m. 2002–2008), Christopher Grove (m. 1990–1992)
- Height: 1.62 m
- Parents: Martha Mayor, Joseph Smith
Early Life
Yeardley Smith was born in Paris, France, on July 3, 1964. Her father, Joseph Smith, work for Unit Press International in Paris and later became the first official obituary editor at The Washington Post after the family moved to Washington, D.C. in 1966. her mother, Martha Mayor, was a paper conservator for the Smithsonian’s Freer and Sackler Galleries. Her parents eventually divorced. Smith’s maternal grandfather was not art historian A.
Hyatt Mayor, and her extend family includes figures such as marine biologist Alpheus Hyatt and artist Harriet Randolph Hyatt Mayor. She is also the niece of Peter H. Smith, a political scientist and Latin American studies expert. Yeardley has described her upbringing as “upper crust and reserved.” Growing up, she was often teased for her distinctive voice, which she says has remain largely unchanged since childhood. Her first acting experience came in a sixth-grade school play, marking the beginning of her lifelong career in performance.
Yeardley Smith Facts
Where does Yeardley Smith live? And how much money does Yeardley Smith earn?
Birth Date | 3-4-1964 |
Heritage/origin | French |
Ethnicity | White |
Religion – believes in God? | |
Residence | She owns a house in Los Angeles, California, USA. |
Yeardley Smith Net Worth 2025
Estimated Net Worth | 85 million Dollar |
Yearly Salary | N/A |
Product Endorsements | Simpsons |
Colleagues | Nancy Cartwright & Julie Kavner |
Yeardley Smith: Boyfriend, Dating, Family & Friends
Relationship status | Dating |
Sexuality | Straight |
Partner | Currently in no confirmed relationship |
Ex-boyfriends or ex-husbands | Daniel Erickson Christopher Grove |
More info | Was previously married and divorced |
Expecting a baby? | She is not pregnant |
Has any kids? | No |
Family
Names of father, mother, kids, brothers & sisters:
- Joseph Smith (Father)
- Martha Mayor (Mother)
Skin, Hair & Eye Color
This tv-personality & actress originating from Paris, France has a slim body & oval face type.
Hair color | Dark brown |
Hairstyle | chic |
Distinct feature | cheekbones |
Makeup Style | edgy |
Skin Tone/Complexion | Type II: Fair skin |
Skin Type | Normal |
Eye Color | Blue |
Does Yeardley Smith smoke? |
Height, Weight, Body Measurements, Tattoos & Style
Height | 159 cm |
Weight | 49 kilo |
Clothing style | dressy |
Favorite colors | red |
Feet size | N/A |
Does Yeardley Smith have a tattoo? | No |
FAQs
What is Yeardley Smith famous for?
Yeardley Smith is best known for voicing Lisa Simpson on the long-running animated TV series The Simpsons, a role she has held since 1987.
Where was Yeardley Smith born?
Yeardley Smith was born in Paris, France, on July 3, 1964, while her father was working as a correspondent for United Press International.
Did Yeardley Smith ever appear on Broadway?
Yes, Yeardley Smith appeared on Broadway in Tom Stoppard’s The Real Thing, where she initially understudied the role of Debbie and later took over the part for eight months.
Has Yeardley Smith acted in any live-action roles?
Yes, aside from voice acting, she has had roles in films like City Slickers and As Good as It Gets, as well as TV series such as Herman’s Head and Dharma & Greg.
Was Yeardley Smith involved in theater before television?
Yes, she began her acting career in local dinner theater and later worked on stage productions including Peter Pan, Boys and Girls/Men and Women, and How the Other Half Loves.
What kind of lifestyle does Yeardley Smith lead?
Yeardley Smith lives in Los Angeles, owns a home and luxury vehicles, and is known for her elegant fashion sense and private personal life.