Lynn Whitfield

thumb Lynn Whitfield (née Smith; born February 15, 1953) is an American actress. She began her acting career in television and theatre before progressing to supporting roles in film. Quotes Well, I think it showed them that I could deliver a performance and carry a film. But I don’t think that the natural progression was as aggressive as it should’ve been. Yes, it was something that at least people understood legitimized me as artist. No, I don’t. I’ve had to get used to it because I’m on television every week now. Actually, sometimes I just forget it’s me on the screen, and I’m just looking at the character. That’s the only way I can watch… I’ve got to remember that. Well, what “Greenleaf” has to say about what’s happening today is that man is only human, full of complexity, and is guaranteed at some point or another to be disappointing. I wouldn’t even want to imagine what’s going on in the White House behind closed doors in the family quarters right now. And so we are not encumbered to follow a man, a personality, it is incumbent upon us for the highest good of our souls, for the highest good of our country, to follow the principles that are fair for everyone. So in “Greenleaf” it’s not the Bishop that you’re following; it’s not the first family of the church that you’re following. Their job is to bring souls to salvation, bring souls to a personal relationship with God. So I think it sort of demystifies this idea of leadership. I agree with that, absolutely. Really what she’s doing is admirable and aspirational. What her Achilles Heel is that she thinks that she knows what’s best for everyone. She has dedicated her life to building that church, to supporting and protecting Bishop, to building a beautiful home for the family and not really paying attention to the fact that she was called to preach herself and then ripped away. She was on her way to theological school when she decided to marry Bishop and canceled all that. So I absolutely agree with you, and I can’t tell you but I’m quite impressed at your observation. From Bombshell to Megachurch Matriarch: Lynn Whitfield Loves Fiery Roles;By TAMBAY OBENSON on July 2, 2020 I enjoy jumping into a psyche that is not my own, because I don’t live by codes of the street. I don’t resolve my pain with vengeance. And I’m a terrible shot with a gun [laughs]. So, none of that is me. But I very much enjoy experiencing the parts of Alicia that are not like me. Sometimes in this business, you can doubt whether you’re appreciated or not… But [the fact] that I’m continuing to do [the work], I don’t have a lot of time to think about it. To look back on things, because I’m looking forward It’s a validation that what I thought I wanted to do at five years old, I was right. That I could do it Oh my gosh. It was so appreciated. I was very excited at that point. I had been acting and doing fairly good projects, but it’s just so rare that a woman is at the center of almost every frame of a show. And I just was so grateful to be involved, to test my dancing skills and my aging acting skills— to age up to her at the end of her life. That was the challenge. Learning all the dances, making all the plans of how to manage the art of this woman, like getting from point A to point B, and have it be believable. Well, first of all, they’re leading. So that’s one thing. And second, most of my friends are complex. They have things that they have been through and will continue to go through. I don’t know very many people who are just happy all the time, or don’t care that they control their own environment, or don’t care if they’re betrayed. I mean, who does that? So, those women are just mirrors to what I think a lot of the world is really like. Lynn Whitfield’s Acting Résumé Is Full Of Strong, Complex Women;By Njera Perkins on Aug 4, 2025 External links nm0005551 Category:Living people Category:1953 births Category:Actresses from Louisiana Category:Women from the United States Category:Women born in the 1950s