Lynn Whitfield Biography: Lynn Whitfield born February 15, 1953 is an American actress known for her work across television, film, and theater. She began her acting journey on stage and in television before moving into supporting film roles. Whitfield earned widespread recognition and critical acclaim for her portrayal of Josephine Baker in the HBO biographical film The Josephine Baker Story (1991), a role that won her the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie and earned her a Golden Globe nomination.
Lynn Whitfield Biography
Born in 1953 and raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Lynn Whitfield comes from a lineage connected to the Southern aristocracy. She is the eldest of four siblings and a third-generation Howard University graduate with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. Her early passion for acting was nurtured by her father, a dentist who played a key role in establishing community theater in Baton Rouge. Whitfield is of African American and Cherokee Native American heritage. She began gaining recognition in the theater world, studying and performing with the Black Repertory Company in Washington, D.C. In 1974, she married Vantile Whitfield, one of the company’s founders and a significant figure in Black theater as a playwright, director, and actor. Lynn later moved to New York, where she appeared in off-Broadway productions such as The Great Macdaddy and Showdown.
Lynn Whitfield Biography 2025 Details
| Born |
Lynn Smith
February 15, 1953 (age 72)
Baton Rouge, Louisiana, U.S.
|
| Alma mater |
Howard University |
| Occupation |
Actress |
| Years active |
1977–present |
| Spouses |
|
| Children |
1 |
| Category |
Singers Bio |
Lynn Whitfield Achievments
Throughout the 1990s, Whitfield took on numerous leading roles in made-for-TV films and starred in several major theatrical releases, 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). She continued to appear in both television and film throughout the 2000s and 2010s.
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About Lynn Whitfield
Lynn Whitfield is an American actress. She began her acting career in television and theatre before progressing to supporting roles in film.
Lynn Whitfield Wiki
- Born: 15 February 1953 (age 72 years), Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States
- Spouse: Brian Gibson (m. 1990–1992), Vantile Whitfield (m. 1974–1978)
- Children: Grace Gibson
- Parents: Jean Butler, Valerian Smith
- Height: 1.61 m
- Siblings: Shawne Langston, Valerian Butler-Smith, Kimberlegh Butler-Smith
Early Life
Lynn Whitfield was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to Jean (née Butler), a former president of the Louisiana Housing Finance Agency, and Dr. Valerian Smith, a composer who created the musicals The Supper and The Wake. Her mother is a founding member of the Baton Rouge chapter of The Links, Incorporated and a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority; Whitfield herself is an honorary member of the same sorority.
She is the eldest of four siblings and a third-generation graduate with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Howard University. Both of her parents played a significant role in fostering her interest in the arts through their involvement in Baton Rouge’s cultural scene. Whitfield’s love for film was further encouraged by her maternal grandmother, Estelle Devall Butler, who introduced her to movies at an early age. By the time she was five, Whitfield had already decided she wanted to be an actress.
Personal Life
Lynn Whitfield has been married twice. Her first marriage was to Vantile Whitfield, a pioneer in Black theater, and lasted from 1974 to 1978. She later married director Brian Gibson, with whom she shares a daughter named Grace. Their marriage lasted from 1990 to 1992. In 2020, Whitfield was seen actively participating in public life, including speaking at a rally in support of Jon Ossoff’s Senate campaign.
Career
After graduating, Lynn Whitfield began gaining recognition on stage with the Black Repertory Company in Washington, D.C., where she worked alongside her then-husband, Vantile Whitfield—a co-founder of the company and a pioneer in Black theatre. She later relocated to New York City, appearing in off-Broadway productions such as The Great Macdaddy and Showdown Time. Her international breakthrough came in 1977 when she toured the U.S., Australia, and London’s West End in the acclaimed production of for colored girls who have considered suicide / when the rainbow is enuf, performing alongside Alfre Woodard.
Whitfield made her on-screen debut in 1981, portraying Jill Thomas in the acclaimed NBC drama Hill Street Blues. In 1983, she appeared in the comedy film Doctor Detroit as Thelma Cleland. Throughout the decade, she co-starred in films like The Slugger’s Wife, Silverado, and Jaws: The Revenge. On television, she starred in The George McKenna Story with Denzel Washington and portrayed the lead in Johnnie Mae Gibson: FBI. She also featured in the ABC miniseries The Women of Brewster Place alongside Oprah Winfrey and Cicely Tyson.
Lynn Whitfield at a Glance
- Category: Richest Celebrities › Actors
- Net Worth: $4 Million
- Birthdate: May 6, 1953 (Age 72)
- Birthplace: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
- Gender: Female
- Height: 5 ft 3 in (1.613 m)
- Profession: Actress, Film Producer
- Nationality: United States of America
What is Lynn Whitfield’s Net Worth 2025?
Lynn Whitfield is an American actress with an estimated net worth of $4 million. Born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, she graduated from Howard University before launching her career in the performing arts. She first gained recognition for her stage work with the Black Repertory Company in Washington, D.C., and earned widespread acclaim for her performance in the 1977 Los Angeles production of For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide… When the Rainbow is Enuf. Whitfield began her on-screen career in 1981, appearing in a variety of guest and recurring roles on television series such as Hill Street Blues, This is the Life, Cagney & Lacey, Miami Vice, St. Elsewhere, Matlock, Martin, Touched By an Angel, and Strong Medicine. She has also starred in films including A Thin Line Between Love and Hate, Eve’s Bayou, and The Rebound.
FAQs
What inspired Lynn Whitfield to pursue acting?
Lynn Whitfield’s interest in acting was influenced early on by her father, a dentist who was deeply involved in community theater in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. His passion for the arts played a key role in shaping her aspirations.
Where did Lynn Whitfield get her acting training?
Whitfield studied acting with the Black Repertory Company in Washington, D.C., and later performed in various off-Broadway productions. She is also a third-generation graduate with a BFA from Howard University.
Who was Lynn Whitfield’s first husband?
Lynn Whitfield was married to Vantile Whitfield, a pioneer in Black theater and co-founder of the Black Repertory Company, where she began her early stage career.
What was Lynn Whitfield’s breakout stage role?
Her breakout stage role was in the 1977 Los Angeles production of For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When the Rainbow Is Enuf, where she starred alongside Alfre Woodard.
What is Lynn Whitfield’s ethnic background?
Lynn Whitfield is of African American and Native American descent, specifically Cherokee.
How did Lynn Whitfield begin her career in New York?
After moving to New York, Whitfield performed in off-Broadway productions such as The Great Macdaddy and Showdown, which helped establish her presence in the theater world.
