Shawnee Smith
Birth dateJuly 3, 1969 (age 57)
Birth placeOrangeburg, South Carolina, U.S.
OccupationActress · singer
Yearsactive1978–present
SpouseJason Reposar (divorced)
Kai Mattoon (divorced)

Shawnee Smith (born July 3, 1969) is an American actress and singer. She began her acting career at a young age, making her feature film debut in Annie (1982). A few years later, she made her stage debut in To Gillian on Her 37th Birthday (1984) and won a Drama-League Critics Award. In the late 1980s, she was cast in smaller roles before getting roles in The Blob (1988) and Who's Harry Crumb? (1989).

She made guest appearances on Murder, She Wrote and The X-Files across the 1990s, before being cast in a main role of the sitcom Becker (1998–2004). She played Amanda Young in Saw (2004) and reprised her role in the sequels Saw II (2005), Saw III (2006), Saw VI (2009) and Saw X (2023). She also had a supporting role in The Grudge 3 (2009). Smith hosted season one of the VH1 acting competition Scream Queens (2008) and played Jennifer Goodson in Anger Management (2012–2014).

Early life

Smith was born on July 3, 1969, at Orangeburg Regional Hospital in Orangeburg, South Carolina.[1][2] She is the second child of Patricia Ann (née Smoak), an oncology nurse, and James H. Smith, a financial planner and former US Air Force pilot. When she was five months old, her family relocated from South Carolina to West Los Angeles, California. Her parents divorced when she was two years old and her mother remarried five years later when they moved to the San Fernando Valley.[2][3]

Career

1980s

Smith made her television debut in a McDonald's commercial at age eight.[3] At age 11, she made her feature film debut in John Huston's 1982 adaptation of the Broadway musical Annie, as one of Annie Bennett Warbucks's fellow orphans.[3] The next year, she sang on The Merv Griffin Show.[2] At age 15, Smith won her first stage role in the Los Angeles play, To Gillian on Her 37th Birthday where co-star Richard Dreyfuss noticed in rehearsals her potential and suggested she be given a leading part. She went on to win the Drama-League Critics Award for her performance.[2]

In 1985, she had small parts in, Not My Kid, Cagney & Lacey and Iron Eagle (1986).[2][4][5][6] In 1987, Smith played a pregnant student Rhonda in Summer School.[7] The following year, her first starring role came with the remake of The Blob.[8] In 1988, Smith starred in television film I Saw What You Did, a remake of the 1965 film of the same name.[9]

Smith had a supporting role alongside John Candy and Annie Potts in the 1989 film Who's Harry Crumb?, where Smith plays a teen who helps Harry Crumb locate her kidnapped sister.[10] That same year, she co-starred with Jennie Garth and Barbara Eden in the short-lived TV series Brand New Life.

1990s

The following year, she co-starred in Michael Cimino's remake of the thriller Desperate Hours. She took a three-year break from acting in the early 1990s, primarily because she had outgrown teenage roles and had a hard time finding work.[3] She made a guest appearance on the 200th episode of Murder, She Wrote in 1993.[11] That following year, she played Julie Lawry in the television miniseries The Stand, based on the novel by Stephen King.[12] Smith made a guest appearance in the 1994 The X-Files episode "Firewalker", playing Jessie O'Neil.[13]

In 1998, Smith was cast as Linda in CBS's sitcom Becker, playing the office's aide to Dr. John Becker (Ted Danson).[14] After airing three episodes to high ratings, CBS ordered a full season.[15] She was a main character for all six seasons until its cancellation in 2004.[16]

2000s

In 2003, she lent her voice to an episode of the Disney cartoon Kim Possible as Vivian Porter.[17] Also in 2003, she was cast in James Wan's low budget horror film, Saw, as Amanda Young. A small part, opposite Tobin Bell, she filmed her scene within one day and while battling the flu.[18] While initially a direct-to-video release was planned, test screenings in March 2004 turned out positive prompting Lionsgate to release it theatrically that October.[19] It became a box office success, grossing $103 million worldwide.[20] She would reprise her role in Saw II (2005), Saw III (2006), Saw VI (2009), and Saw X (2023).[21][22] The Saw franchise went on to become one of the highest-grossing horror franchises of all time, grossing over $1 billion worldwide, as of 2021.[19]

Smith began working on a solo album in 2004 with producer Chris Goss, but the project was never completed. In an interview with Radio Free in October 2005, she stated, "between being a mom, and working, and growing another baby, I have not had time to give attention to music for a while."[23] Smith contributed to the soundtrack of Saw III in 2006 with vocals on Hydrovibe's song "Killer Inside",[24] and to the soundtrack for Catacombs as a solo vocalist with the song "Please Myself".[25]

In 2006, Smith made an appearance in the 10-minute short film trailer Repo! The Genetic Opera, directed by Bousman. The trailer was filmed after completing Saw III to try to pitch the idea to film producers.[26] In 2007, she was part of a country rock music group with actress Missi Pyle called Smith & Pyle.[27] Their first album, It's OK to Be Happy, was released digitally through iTunes and Amazon.com in 2008.[28]

In 2008, Smith played Detective Gina Harcourt in the FEARnet original series 30 Days of Night: Dust to Dust and also served as executive producer. It premiered in July 17 with six webisodes.[29] Smith was the host and one of three mentors on the VH1 reality television series, Scream Queens, which aired from October 2008 to December 2008.[30] Smith did not return for the second season due to scheduling conflicts and was replaced with Jaime King.[31]

Smith played the role of Dr. Sullivan, child psychiatrist, in The Grudge 3 that was released direct-to-video on May 12, 2009.

2010s

Smith appeared in the series premiere of Law & Order: Los Angeles titled, "Hollywood", on September 29, 2010.[32] In 2012, she had her first voice role in a video game, Lollipop Chainsaw.[33] From 2012 to 2014, Smith starred as Jennifer Goodson, the ex-wife of Charlie Sheen's character in the TV series Anger Management.[34]

She provided vocals on a cover of Steve Miller Band's "Abracadabra" by Eagles of Death Metal after Jesse Hughes overheard her singing the song in a studio bathroom.[35] This cover was released in 2019.[36]

2020s

Smith co-starred with Dean Winters in the 2021 indie comedy film Christmas vs. the Walters.[37] Smith reprised her role as Amanda Young in Saw X released in September 2023.[38] She appeared in the slasher film Bloodline Killer in April 2024.[39]

Personal life

Smith was married to photographer Jason Reposar. They have a daughter, who was born in 1999. She was later married to musician Kai Mattoon; they divorced and have a son, born in 2005.[3][8][40] Smith is a convert to Eastern Orthodoxy Christianity.[41]

Filmography

Film

List of films and roles
YearTitleRoleNotesRef.
1982AnnieBackground Dancer
1986Iron EagleJoenie
1987Summer SchoolRhonda Altobello
1988The BlobMegan "Meg" Penny
1989Who's Harry Crumb?Nikki Downing
1990Desperate HoursMay Cornell
1995Leaving Las VegasBiker girlCameo appearance
The Low Life"Little Tramp" Woman
1996Female PerversionsMake-up Salesgirl
1997Dead Men Can't DanceSgt. Addy Cooper
Greater Than a TigerAliceShort film
MenClara
DogtownTammy Hayes
BombshellShelly
Eat Your Heart OutNicole
1998Every Dog Has Its DayRedheadCameo appearance
Armageddon
Carnival of SoulsSandra Grant
The Party CrashersCarolyn
1999A Slipping-Down LifeFaye-Jean Lindsay
Breakfast of ChampionsBonnie MacMahon
2002Never Get Outta the BoatDawn
2004SawAmanda Young[42]
The Almost GuysBigger
2005The IslandSuzie
Saw IIAmanda Young[43]
2006Saw III[44]
Repo! The Genetic OperaHeatherShort film
2009The Grudge 3Dr. Francine SullivanDirect-to-video film[45]
Saw VIAmanda Young[46]
2010Kill SpeedHoneyUncredited role; direct-to-video film
2012Jayne Mansfield's CarVicky Caldwell[47]
2013Grace UnpluggedMichelle Trey
2016Savannah SunriseJoy
BelieveDr. Nancy Wells
2021Christmas vs. the WaltersDiane WaltersAlso producer[48]
2023Saw XAmanda Young[49]
2024Bloodline KillerMoira ColeAlso producer[50]
2025The OtherLizzie[51]
SlayJennaPost-production[52]

Television

List of television appearances and roles
YearTitleRoleNotesRef.
1984Silver SpoonsTawnyEpisode: "Growing Pains: Part 1"
1985Not My KidCarolTelevision film
It's Your MoveBrendaEpisode: "The Experts"
Cagney & LaceyMrs. Zal's daughterEpisode: "The Psychic"
Crime of InnocenceJodi HaywardTelevision film
1986All Is ForgivenSonia RussellMain role; 9 episodes
Easy PreyTina Marie RisicoTelevision film
1988BluegrassAlice Gibbs
I Saw What You DidKim Fielding
1989–1990Brand New LifeAmanda GibbonsMain role; 6 episodes
1990Lucky ChancesOlympia Stanislopolous GoldenMiniseries; 3 episodes
1993Murder, She WroteJill ClevelandEpisode: "Bloodlines"
1994The StandJulie LawryMiniseries; 2 episodes
The X-FilesJessie O'NeilEpisode: "Firewalker"
1996Face of EvilJeanelle PolkTelevision film
1997Something Borrowed, Something BlueTeri
ArsenioLaura LaumanMain role; 6 episodes
The ShiningWaitressMiniseries; Episode 3
1997–1998The Tom ShowFlorence MadisonMain role; 19 episodes
1998PlayersLilaEpisode: "Confidence Man"
Twice Upon a TimeMaggie FowlerTelevision film
1998–2004BeckerLindaMain role; 129 episodes
2003Kim PossibleVivian PorterVoice role; Episode: "Grudge Match"
2005Washington StreetTelevision film
2007Traveling in PacksIvyUnsold television pilot[53]
Secrets of an Undercover WifeLisa Wilder-CrewsTelevision film
200830 Days of Night: Dust to DustDetective Gina HarcourtMiniseries; 5 episodes (also executive producer)[54]
Scream QueensHerselfHost and mentor; 8 episodes[55]
2010–2011The Secret Life of the American TeenagerCarrieEpisodes: "Up All Night" & "Young at Heart"
2010Law & Order: Los AngelesTrudy SennettEpisode: "Hollywood"
2012Reel AmericaLisa SlotnikTelevision film
2012–2014Anger ManagementJennifer GoodsonMain role; 61 episodes[56]
2023City on FireRamonaRecurring role; 4 episodes

Video games

List of video game appearances and roles
YearTitleRoleNotesRef.
2002Grand Theft Auto: Vice CityFever 105 Female Imaging
2012Lollipop ChainsawMariskaEnglish dub
2024Lollipop Chainsaw RePOPRemastered version of Lollipop Chainsaw
2025TormentorBloody Mary

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