Who is actress Lynn Whitfield? Her Bio: Daughter Grace Gibson, Net Worth, Husband, Parents, Family

• Lynn Whitfield is an American actress and producer
• She was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to an African-American and a Creole father
• She became known for her performance in the biographical film “The Josephine Baker Story”
• She joined the drama series “Greenleaf” in mid-2018, playing the role of Lady Mae Greenleaf
• As of late 2018, her net worth is estimated to be over $3 million.



Known for movies



Who is Lynn Whitfield?

Born Lynn Butler-Smith, on the 6^th of May 1953, she is an American actress and producer who became known for her performance as the title character in the biographical film “The Josephine Baker Story.” As of mid-2018, she is playing the role of Lady Mae Greenleaf in the series “Greenleaf” on the Oprah Winfrey Network.

View this post on Instagram

Last night was a blast during the premiere of #NappilyEverAfter! I’m so honored to be a part of a film that’s bound to be a classic. To my amazing cast and crew, thank you for putting so much into this! Be sure to stream Nappily Ever After TODAY on @Netflix! @strongblacklead #netflix #strongblacklead #lynnwhitfield Dress: @houseofcb Jewelry: @dena_kemp Bag: @onnaehrlich

A post shared by Lynn Whitfield (@mslynnwhitfield) on Sep 21, 2018 at 1:30pm PDT

Lynn Whitfield’s Early Life

Whitfield was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the eldest of four children, and a daughter of Jean Butler, an officer of a finance agency, and Valerian Smith, a dentist. Her mother is an African-American while her father is Creole making her half Native American. Whitfield is also a third-generation graduate of BFA from Howard University, but attributes her passion for acting to her dad, who was one of the persons who formed the community theatre in their home in Baton Rouge. To continue feeding her passion, she attended and performed at the Black Repertory Company in Washington D.C.

Lynn Whitfield’s Career

Whitfield’s career started in the late ‘70s when she moved to New York, and began acting in off-Broadway shows including “Showdown” and “The Great Macdaddy.” She gained acclaim when she joined the Los Angeles production of “for colored girls who have considered suicide/ when the rainbow is enuf.” Her early years as an actress helped establish both her career and her net worth. When the ‘80s came, Whitfield ventured into television, debuting in “Hill Street Blues” in 1981 playing the role of Jill Thomas. She also appeared in various films, including “Doctor Detroit”, “The Slugger’s Wife”, and “Jaws: The Revenge.”

View this post on Instagram

Uh ohh…Lionel is about to get laid thin. TONIGHT we won't have to wonder about what #LadyMae is thinking #SomebodyCrossedtheLine Tune into @greenleafown tonight 10/9c. You don't want to miss this!

A post shared by Lynn Whitfield (@mslynnwhitfield) on Sep 13, 2017 at 5:11pm PDT

Whitfield received her big acting career break in 1991, when she starred in the HBO biographical film “The Josephine Baker Story” playing the titular role of the FoliesBergère actress who became a French Resistance fighter during the Second World War, as well as a civil rights activist. Her transformation from being an 18 year old all the way to becoming a 68 year old woman in the movie gained her praise from her fans, the critics, and even award-giving bodies, earning a Whitfield a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie. The success of the film not only catapulted her ito fame but also immensely increased her net worth.

Lynn Whitfield’s Present Career

After the success of “The Josephine Baker Story”, Whitfield has appeared in many more films, including “A Thin Line Between  Love and Hate”, “Eve’s Bayou”, and “Stepmom.” She also appeared in “Head of State”, “Madea’s Family Reunion”, “The Rebound” and “Mama, I Want to Sing,” all of which have helped increase her wealth. During the late 2000’s, Whitfield went back to television and appeared in recurring roles in “Boston Public”, “Without a Trace”, and “How to Get Away with Murder” playing the villainous role of Mary Walker.

Today, Whitfield is still actively working as an actress, recently joining the drama series “Greanleaf” of the Oprah Winfrey Network in mid-2018, playing the role of the lead antagonist, Lady Mae Greanleaf, the money-loving matriarch of the Greenleaf family. The series also stars Keith David, Kim Hawthorne, Merle Dandrige and Oprah Winfrey – Winfrey even personally chose her to play the role of Lady Mae.

This little black dress is handling business tonight! West coast, I’m with you tonight but east coast still “@“ me and let me know what you think when it airs on your side! Y’all are in for a juicy show. Can’t wait to discuss it! #Greenleaf #LadyMae #LynnWhitfield pic.twitter.com/ltGa1sBr7F

— Lynn Whitfield (@MsLynnWhitfield) September 13, 2018

Lynn Whitfield’s Body Measurement

In terms of her body measurement, Whitfield is 5ft 3ins (1.60m.) tall, and weighs 136lbs (62 kgs). Her vital statistics are 34-24-34 inches – her hair color is light brown and her eyes are dark brown.

Lynn Whitfield’s Net Worth

As of late 2018 and based on authoritative sources, Whitfield’s net worth is reported to be over $3 million, acquired from her years working as an actress, appearing in countless television shows and movies.

Lynn Whitfield’s Personal Life

In terms of her personal life, Whitfield is currently single, but has actually been married twice, firstly to Vantile Whitfield from 1974 to ’78, then in 1990 to director Brian Gibson, but after having a daughter together, named Grace their relationship ended in 1992.  Grace has followed her mother’s footsteps in becoming an actress, appearing in movies “Black Nativity”, “All Eyez on Me”, and “Unsolved: The Murders of Tupac and Notorious B.I.G.”

Source: IMDb, Wikipedia