Anna Deavere Smith
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Anna Deavere Smith (born September 18, 1950, in Baltimore, Maryland, United States) is an American actress, playwright, and professor in the Department of Performance Studies at the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University. She formerly taught in the drama department at Stanford University. She may best be known as the author of Fires in the Mirror, which dealt with the 1991 Crown Heights Riot, and , which dealt with the 1992 Los Angeles riots, both of which featured Ms. Smith as the sole performer. In 1993 Newsweek declared her as "The most exciting individual in American theater." Ms. Smith is the author of Talk to me: Listening between the lines published in 2000. Ms. Smith has appeared in several films, such as Philadelphia, The American President, and has recurring roles on The West Wing and The Practice.
Smith was one of the 1996 recipients of the MacArthur Fellowship, often referred to as the "genius grant."
She has received honorary degrees from Bryn Mawr, Smith College, Skidmore College, Macalester College, Occidental College, Pratt Institute, Holy Cross College, Wesleyan University, School of Visual Arts, Northwestern University, Colgate University, California State University at Sacramento, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Wheelock College, Beaver College and the Cooper Union.
Selected Filmography
- Rent 2005 - Mrs. Jefferson
- The West Wing 2000-2004 - National Security Advisor Nancy McNally
- Presidio Med 2002 TV Series - Dr. Letty Jordan
- The Practice 2000 - District Attorney Kate Brunner
- The American President 1995 - Robin McCall
- Dave 1993 - Mrs. Travis
- All My Children 1983 - Hazel
References
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