View source for Lynn Whitfield

{{short description|American actress (born 1953)}}
{{Infobox person
| name        = Lynn Whitfield
| image       = Lynn Whitfield 2.jpg
| caption     = Whitfield in 1999
| birth_date  = {{birth date and age|1953|02|15}}<ref>{{cite interview |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9_wNKpyBCA  |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/X9_wNKpyBCA |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|title=Sasha talks with Lynn Whitfield |date=May 29, 2013 |interviewer=Sasha |last=Whitfield |first=Lynn |publisher=[[WALR-FM|KISS 104]] on [[YouTube]] |access-date=July 24, 2020|quote="So, when's your birthday?" "February 15."}}{{cbignore}} Birth date stated at 02:45 in video.</ref>
| birth_name  = Lynn Smith
| birth_place = [[Baton Rouge, Louisiana]], U.S.
| occupation  = Actress
| yearsactive = 1977–present
| alma_mater  = [[Howard University]]
| spouse      = {{plainlist|
* {{marriage|[[Vantile Whitfield]]|1974|1978|reason=divorced}}
* {{marriage|[[Brian Gibson (director)|Brian Gibson]]|1990|1992|reason=divorced}}
}}
| children    = 1
}}
'''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. She won a [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie]] and received a [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Miniseries or Television Film|Golden Globe Award]] nomination for her breakout performance as [[Josephine Baker]] in the [[HBO]] biographical film ''[[The Josephine Baker Story]]'' (1991).

In the 1990s, Whitfield played leading roles in a number of made-for-television movies and had several starring roles in theatrical films, including ''[[A Thin Line Between Love and Hate]]'' (1996), ''[[Gone Fishin' (film)|Gone Fishin']]'' (1997), ''[[Eve's Bayou]]'' (1997), ''[[Stepmom (1998 film)|Stepmom]]'' (1998), ''[[Head of State (2003 film)|Head of State]]'' (2003), ''[[Madea's Family Reunion]]'' (2006), and ''[[The Women (2008 film)|The Women]]'' (2008). Whitfield also starred in a number of movies in the 2000s and 2010s. From 2016 to 2020, she starred as Lady Mae Greenleaf in the [[Oprah Winfrey Network]] dramatic series ''[[Greenleaf (TV series)|Greenleaf]]'', for which she won critical acclaim and garnered two NAACP Image Awards and a [[Gracie Awards|Gracie Award]]. She later appeared in films ''[[Nappily Ever After]]'' (2018), ''[[Vacation Friends]]'' (2021) and ''[[The Retirement Plan]]'' (2023). Whitfield has won a total of seven [[NAACP Image Award]]s.

==Early life==
Whitfield was born in [[Baton Rouge, Louisiana]], the daughter of Jean (née Butler), a former president of the Louisiana Housing Finance Agency, and Dr. Valerian Smith, who was also a composer who wrote the musicals, ''The Supper'' and ''The Wake''. Her mother is a founding member of the Baton Rouge chapter of [[The Links Incorporated]] and is a member of [[Alpha Kappa Alpha]] sorority. Whitfield is an honorary member of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/lynn-whitfield/bio/3000234063/ | title=Lynn Whitfield }}</ref> She is the eldest of four children and a third-generation BFA graduate from [[Howard University]]. Both parents were instrumental in developing Whitfield's initial interest in acting, as they were actively involved in the Baton Rouge art scene. Her love of movies was shared by her maternal grandmother, Estelle Devall Butler, who exposed her to them. By age five, Whitfield decided she wanted to be in them.{{Citation needed |date=August 2024}}

==Career==
=== 1970s ===
Following graduation, she first garnered attention on the stage by performing with the Black Repertory Company in Washington, D.C. She married playwright/director/actor [[Vantile Whitfield]], one of the company's co-founders and a pioneer of black theatre, in 1974. She eventually moved to New York and appeared off-Broadway in such shows as ''The Great Macdaddy'' and ''Showdown Time'' before earning international acclaim touring the United States, Australia and London's West End in the 1977 production of the landmark play "[[for colored girls who have considered suicide / when the rainbow is enuf]]" alongside [[Alfre Woodard]].<ref name="encyclopedia">{{cite web|title=Lynn Whitfield Facts, information, pictures - Encyclopedia.com articles about Lynn Whitfield|url=http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Lynn_Whitfield.aspx|access-date=22 June 2016|archive-date=27 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150327000246/http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Lynn_Whitfield.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref>

===1980s===
Whitfield made her professional screen debut in 1981 as Jill Thomas in the critically acclaimed NBC serial drama ''[[Hill Street Blues]]''. In 1983, she appeared in the comedy film ''[[Doctor Detroit]]'' (1983), playing the supporting role of Thelma Cleland. She later co-starred in the films ''[[The Slugger's Wife]]'', ''[[Silverado (film)|Silverado]]'', and ''[[Jaws: The Revenge]]''. She also starred in the television films ''[[The George McKenna Story]]'' opposite [[Denzel Washington]] and ''Johnnie Mae Gibson: FBI'' as the title character and in the ABC miniseries ''[[The Women of Brewster Place (miniseries)|The Women of Brewster Place]]'' alongside [[Oprah Winfrey]] and [[Cicely Tyson]]).<ref name=encyclopedia/> She also was a regular cast member in the short-lived 1988 ABC female-driven medical drama series ''[[HeartBeat (1988 TV series)|HeartBeat]]'' alongside [[Kate Mulgrew]], [[Laura Johnson]], and [[Gail Strickland]].

===1990s===
[[File:Lynnn Whitfield in 1996.jpg|thumb|left|Whitfield in 1996]]
Whitfield achieved wide recognition in the title role of ''[[The Josephine Baker Story]]'' (1991), portraying the American who became a ''[[Folies Bergère]]'' star, a [[French Resistance]] fighter during [[World War II]], and a civil rights activist. The [[HBO]] biopic required her to age from 18 to 68.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-07-22-ca-1060-story.html|title=What Becomes a Legend Most? : Whitfield appeared in 2 episodes of Matlock. Lynn Whitfield became Josephine Baker, Budapest became Paris and Harlem as HBO raced to complete the first movie about the storied entertainer's life|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=22 July 1990|access-date=21 November 2021|archive-date=22 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211122044710/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-07-22-ca-1060-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> After a highly publicized casting call, Whitfield was chosen over hundreds of women.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-03-10-tv-3-story.html|title=HBO's 'Josephine Baker': The Naked Truth|work=Los Angeles Times|date=10 March 1991 |access-date=21 November 2021}}</ref> In the movie, she appeared nude on-screen.<ref name="Shimmy">{{cite web|url=https://people.com/archive/lynn-whitfield-shimmies-into-the-skin-of-sultry-josephine-baker-vol-35-no-11/|title=Lynn Whitfield Shimmies into the Skin of Sultry Josephine Baker|access-date=21 November 2021|archive-date=24 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624203235/https://people.com/archive/lynn-whitfield-shimmies-into-the-skin-of-sultry-josephine-baker-vol-35-no-11/|url-status=live}}</ref> In his review, [[Ken Tucker]] of ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' said: "Whitfield is exceptionally good as the legendary singer-dancer who came to prominence in the ’20s for her throaty singing and her notorious "banana dance"—a wiggly little number executed while wearing nothing except a skirt of real bananas."<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.ew.com/article/1991/03/15/josephine-baker-story|title=The Josephine Baker Story|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=24 June 2015}}</ref> ''The New York Times'' added that Whitfield "powerfully captures her [Baker's] passionate determination.<ref>{{Cite news|last=O'Connor|first=John J.|date=1991-03-15|title=TV Weekend; With Josephine Baker Through a Long Life|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/03/15/news/tv-weekend-with-josephine-baker-through-a-long-life.html|access-date=2020-10-14|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>" Whitfield won a [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie]] for her role, and said this gave her "the greatest sense of accomplishment and realization of my vision. It absolutely called upon everything I thought I could do at that point."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.philly.com/1991-08-26/news/25807563_1_emmy-show-14th-emmy-drama-series|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626115939/http://articles.philly.com/1991-08-26/news/25807563_1_emmy-show-14th-emmy-drama-series|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 26, 2015|title=2 Emmys For James Earl Jones; 'L.A. Law', 'Cheers' Win Again|work=philly-archives|access-date=24 June 2015}}</ref> She also received a [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Miniseries or Television Film]] nomination and won the [[NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special]].

After her breakthrough as Josephine Baker, Whitfield had the recurring role in the ABC legal drama ''[[Equal Justice (TV series)|Equal Justice]]'', appearing opposite [[Joe Morton]]. She continued her career, starring in the made-for-television movies ''[[A Triumph of the Heart: The Ricky Bell Story]]'' (1991); ''Stompin' at the Savoy'' (1992) with [[Vanessa L. Williams]], [[Jasmine Guy]], and [[Vanessa Bell Calloway]]; ''Taking the Heat'' (1993) with [[Tony Goldwyn]]; ''[[State of Emergency (1994 film)|State of Emergency]]'' (1994) with [[Joe Mantegna]]; ''Sophie and the Moonhanger'' (1996); ''[[The Wedding (miniseries)|The Wedding]]'' (1998), as [[Halle Berry]]'s mother; ''The Color of Courage'' (1998) alongside [[Linda Hamilton]]; and ''[[Deep in My Heart (1999 film)|Deep in My Heart]]'' (1999) opposite [[Anne Bancroft]]. She also had a regular role on the short-lived NBC detective series ''[[The Cosby Mysteries]]'' from 1994 to 1995 and later guest-starred on ''[[Martin (TV series)|Martin]]'' and ''[[Touched by an Angel]]''.

In 1996, Whitfield was cast as the female lead opposite [[Martin Lawrence]] in the dark romantic comedy film ''[[A Thin Line Between Love and Hate]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/1996/film/reviews/a-thin-line-between-love-and-hate-1200445703/|title=A Thin Line Between Love and Hate|author=Brian Lowry|work=Variety|date=April 1996|access-date=24 June 2015|archive-date=22 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160422052019/http://variety.com/1996/film/reviews/a-thin-line-between-love-and-hate-1200445703/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.ew.com/article/1996/04/12/thin-line-between-love-hate|title=A Thin Line Between Love & Hate|author=Martin Lawrence|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=24 June 2015|archive-date=26 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626160401/http://www.ew.com/article/1996/04/12/thin-line-between-love-hate|url-status=live}}</ref> At the time of filming, Lawrence was 12 years younger than Whitfield, who was then 42. The film grossed over $35 million against a budget of $8 million.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=thinlinebetweenloveandhate.htm|title=A Thin Line Between Love and Hate (1996)|website=Box Office Mojo|access-date=24 June 2015|archive-date=22 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150622045920/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=thinlinebetweenloveandhate.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1997, she co-starred opposite [[Danny Glover]] and [[Rosanna Arquette]] in the comedy film ''[[Gone Fishin' (film)|Gone Fishin']]'', appeared in the supporting role in the Canadian drama ''[[The Planet of Junior Brown]]'', and played the mother of [[Jurnee Smollett]]'s title character in the critically acclaimed independent drama ''[[Eve's Bayou]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/eves_bayou/|title=Eve's Bayou|website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|date=1 June 1996|access-date=24 June 2015|archive-date=10 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150710074403/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/eves_bayou/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1998, Whitfield had supporting role of an oncologist in the comedy-drama film ''[[Stepmom (1998 film)|Stepmom]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/stepmom/|title=Stepmom|website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|date=25 December 1998|access-date=24 June 2015|archive-date=13 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191113213147/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/stepmom/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/movies/reviews/stepmomhunter.htm?movieslede=y|title='Stepmom' (PG-13)|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|access-date=24 June 2015|archive-date=26 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626112628/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/movies/reviews/stepmomhunter.htm?movieslede=y|url-status=live}}</ref>

===2000s—present===
[[File:Lynn Whitfield 2014.JPG|thumb|Whitfield on the set of ''Curveball'', in 2014]]
In the 2000s, Whitfield had many supporting roles on television and in films. She co-starred in the [[Chris Rock]] comedy film ''[[Head of State (2003 film)|Head of State]]'' (2003) and [[Tyler Perry]]'s ''[[Madea's Family Reunion]]'' (2006). Whitfield also appeared in ''[[The Women (2008 film)|The Women]]'' (2008), ''[[The Rebound]]'' (2009), and ''[[Mama, I Want to Sing! (film)|Mama, I Want to Sing]]'' (2011) and had many roles in low-profile B-movies. She also starred as Dorothea Garibaldi, the mother of Galleria (played by [[Raven-Symoné]]) in the Disney Channel films ''[[The Cheetah Girls (film)|The Cheetah Girls]]'' and ''[[The Cheetah Girls 2]]''. In 2004, she played [[Barbara Becnel]] in the made-for-television movie ''[[Redemption: The Stan Tookie Williams Story]]'' receiving [[NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special]].

On television, Whitfield had recurring roles on ''[[Boston Public]]'' and ''[[Without a Trace]]'' in the 2000s. From 2014 to 2015, she appeared in the ABC legal drama ''[[How to Get Away with Murder]]'' as villainous Mary Walker.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tvguide.com/news/how-to-get-away-with-murder-postmortem-peter-nowalk-1089225/|title=How to Get Away with Murder Postmortem: Boss Breaks Down Annalise's Motives and Killer Theories|author=Joyce Eng|date=14 November 2014|work=TVGuide.com|access-date=24 June 2015|archive-date=4 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170904210627/http://www.tvguide.com/news/how-to-get-away-with-murder-postmortem-peter-nowalk-1089225/|url-status=live}}</ref> She also had a recurring role on ''[[Hit the Floor (TV series)|Hit the Floor]]''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.indiewire.com/shadowandact/tv-casting-news-roundup-new-roles-for-rutina-wesley-lynn-whitfield-derek-luke-tyler-james-williams-others-20150206|title=TV Casting News Roundup: New Roles for Rutina Wesley, Lyn - Shadow and Act|author=Tambay A. Obenson|date=6 February 2015|work=Shadow and Act|access-date=24 June 2015|archive-date=29 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150629083129/http://blogs.indiewire.com/shadowandact/tv-casting-news-roundup-new-roles-for-rutina-wesley-lynn-whitfield-derek-luke-tyler-james-williams-others-20150206|url-status=live}}</ref> and appeared as the abusive mother of April ([[Rochelle Aytes]]) on ''[[Mistresses (U.S. TV series)|Mistresses]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://starrymag.com/?p=6278|title=Rochelle Aytes – Mistresses|author=starrymag|work=Starry Constellation Magazine|date=18 June 2015|access-date=24 June 2015|archive-date=26 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626120418/http://starrymag.com/?p=6278|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2015, Whitfield was cast as the main villain in ''[[Greenleaf (TV series)|Greenleaf]]'', the [[Oprah Winfrey Network]] original scripted drama series about the unscrupulous world of the Greenleaf family and their sprawling Memphis megachurch. Whitfield played the leading role of Lady Mae Greenleaf, the imperious minister's wife and the power- and money-hungry matriarch of the family.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2015/08/lynn-whitfield-merle-dandridge-desiree-ross-cast-own-drama-greenleaf-craig-wright-oprah-winfrey-1201504761/|title=Lynn Whitfield, Merle Dandridge & Desiree Ross Join 'Greenleaf' - Deadline|author=Denise Petski|work=Deadline|date=24 August 2015|access-date=25 August 2015|archive-date=25 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151225022316/http://deadline.com/2015/08/lynn-whitfield-merle-dandridge-desiree-ross-cast-own-drama-greenleaf-craig-wright-oprah-winfrey-1201504761/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.indiewire.com/shadowandact/lynn-whitfield-desiree-rossmerle-dandridge-and-desiree-ross-cast-in-owns-church-drama-greenleaf-20150824|title=Lynn Whitfield, Merle Dandridge and Desiree Ross Cast in - Shadow and Act|author=Tambay A. Obenson|date=24 August 2015|work=Shadow and Act|access-date=25 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150826221035/http://blogs.indiewire.com/shadowandact/lynn-whitfield-desiree-rossmerle-dandridge-and-desiree-ross-cast-in-owns-church-drama-greenleaf-20150824|archive-date=26 August 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> The series also starred [[Keith David]], [[Merle Dandridge]], [[Kim Hawthorne]], and [[Oprah Winfrey]]. Whitfield received positive reviews from critics for her performance.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/reasons-watch-oprah-winfreys-series-greenleaf/story?id=40020529|title=5 Reasons to Watch Oprah Winfrey's New Series 'Greenleaf'|date=22 June 2016|publisher=ABC News|access-date=22 June 2016|archive-date=13 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190313104516/http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/reasons-watch-oprah-winfreys-series-greenleaf/story?id=40020529|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thewrap.com/greenleaf-review-own-church-drama-delivers-juicy-moments-and-oprah-winfrey/|title='Greenleaf' Review: OWN Church Drama Delivers Juicy Moments - and Oprah Winfrey|date=21 June 2016|access-date=22 June 2016|archive-date=23 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160623144159/http://www.thewrap.com/greenleaf-review-own-church-drama-delivers-juicy-moments-and-oprah-winfrey/|url-status=live}}</ref> One critic stated: "Whitfield has the imperious aura of a grand soap opera diva in the tradition of [[Joan Collins]]."<ref name=var>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2016/tv/reviews/greenleaf-own-tv-review-oprah-winfrey-lynn-whitfield-keith-david-merle-dandridge-1201795621/|title=TV Review: 'Greenleaf'|first=Maureen|last=Ryan|date=17 June 2016|access-date=18 June 2016|archive-date=20 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160620194816/http://variety.com/2016/tv/reviews/greenleaf-own-tv-review-oprah-winfrey-lynn-whitfield-keith-david-merle-dandridge-1201795621/|url-status=live}}</ref> She won the [[NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series]] in 2019 and 2020 as well as the [[Gracie Awards|Gracie Award]] for Outstanding Female Actor in a Supporting Role in a Drama Series in 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://allwomeninmedia.org/gracies/2017-gracie-winners/ |title=2017 Gracies Gala Winners |access-date=2020-01-20 |archive-date=2018-07-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180727172619/https://allwomeninmedia.org/gracies/2017-gracie-winners/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The series ended in 2020 after five seasons and 60 episodes. Whitfield later was cast in a leading role in ''Greenleaf'''s planned spinoff.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://shadowandact.com/greenleaf-spinoff-details-revealed-e28095-heres-what-to-expect|title='Greenleaf' Spinoff Details Revealed ― Here's What to Expect|access-date=2020-09-29|archive-date=2020-08-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200818120228/https://shadowandact.com/greenleaf-spinoff-details-revealed-e28095-heres-what-to-expect|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2018, Whitfield co-starred opposite [[Sanaa Lathan]] in the romantic comedy film ''[[Nappily Ever After]]'', which was released on [[Netflix]].<ref name="WhitfieldCast">{{cite news|last1=N'Duka|first1=Amanda|title=Lynn Whitfield Joins Sanaa Lathan In 'Nappily Ever After'|url=https://deadline.com/2017/08/lynn-whitfield-joins-netfilx-nappily-ever-after-movie-1202152777/|access-date=September 10, 2017|work=Deadline|date=August 21, 2017}}</ref> She guest-starred as [[Shaunette Renée Wilson]]'s mother, a famous Nigerian surgeon, on the Fox medical drama ''[[The Resident (TV series)|The Resident]]'' in 2019. In 2021, she co-starred in the comedy film ''[[Vacation Friends]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2020/09/vacation-friends-greenleaf-lynn-whitfield-john-cena-hulu-comedy-1234585312/|title = 'Vacation Friends': 'Greenleaf' Star Lynn Whitfield & More Cast in Hulu Comedy|date = 25 September 2020}}</ref> In 2023, she appeared opposite [[Nicolas Cage]] and [[Ron Perlman]] in the action comedy film, ''[[The Retirement Plan]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2021/05/nicolas-cage-ron-perlman-ashley-greene-grace-byers-rick-fox-retirement-plan-action-movie-1234764261/ |title=‘The Retirement Plan’: Nicolas Cage, Ron Perlman, Ashley Greene, Grace Byers, Rick Fox Among Cast For Action Pic |access-date=2022-01-26 |archive-date=2021-06-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624172339/https://deadline.com/2021/05/nicolas-cage-ron-perlman-ashley-greene-grace-byers-rick-fox-retirement-plan-action-movie-1234764261/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Also in 2023, she was cast as Alicia, an intimidating, fearless and powerful matriarch, in the Showtime crime drama series, ''[[The Chi]]'' during its sixth season.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://deadline.com/2023/06/the-chi-lynn-whitfield-season-6-recurring-1235427280/ | title='The Chi': Lynn Whitfield Joins Season 6 as Recurring | date=29 June 2023 | access-date=25 August 2024 | archive-date=25 August 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240825184219/https://deadline.com/2023/06/the-chi-lynn-whitfield-season-6-recurring-1235427280/ | url-status=live }}</ref> She was promoted to series regular for a seven season.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://deadline.com/2024/08/the-chi-lynn-whitfield-series-regular-season-7-1236037886/ | title='The Chi': Lynn Whitfield Upped to Series Regular for Season 7 | date=12 August 2024 }}</ref> In 2024, Whitfield starred in the road drama film, ''[[Albany Road]]'' directed and written by [[Christine Swanson]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://variety.com/2024/film/festivals/american-black-film-festival-lineup-jussie-smollett-1235980216/ | title=American Black Film Festival 2024 Lineup Includes Vivica A. Fox and Jussie Smollett-Starring Drama (EXCLUSIVE) | date=24 April 2024 | access-date=25 August 2024 | archive-date=10 June 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240610212553/https://variety.com/2024/film/festivals/american-black-film-festival-lineup-jussie-smollett-1235980216/ | url-status=live }}</ref>

==Personal life==
[[File:Jon Ossoff's Kick-off Drive-In Rally 9O3A9503 (50589125942).jpg|thumb|Whitfield speaking at a rally for [[Jon Ossoff]]'s Senate campaign in 2020]]

Whitfield has been married twice. Her first husband, from 1974 to 1978, was Vantile Whitfield.<ref name='Post-Obit'>{{cite news |title=Arts Administrator, Playwright Vantile Whitfield Dies |first=Yvonne |last=Shinhoster Lamb |newspaper=Washington Post |location=Washington, DC |date=2005-01-23 |quote=His marriages to Barbara Cobb, Barbara Grant Thomas and Lynn Whitfield, the actress and a former student, ended in divorce.  }}</ref> From 1990 to 1992, she was married to director [[Brian Gibson (director)|Brian Gibson]], with whom she had a daughter, Grace.<ref name="Shimmy"/><ref>{{cite web|title =Lynn Whitfield's Daughter, Grace Gibson, Covers Adeles' "Rumor Has It/Set Fire To The Rain" |url=http://lovemyblack.com/lynn-whitfields-daughter-grace-gibson-covers-adeles-rumor-has-itset-fire-to-the-rain-video/}}</ref>

==Filmography==

===Film===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
| 1983
| ''[[Doctor Detroit]]''
| Thelma Cleland
|
|-
|rowspan="2"| 1985
| ''{{sortname|The|Slugger's Wife}}''
| Tina Alvarado
|
|-
| ''[[Silverado (film)|Silverado]]''
| Rae Johnson
|-
| 1986
| ''[[The George McKenna Story]]''
| Bobbie Maxwell
|
|-
|-
| 1987
| ''[[Jaws: The Revenge]]''
| Louisa McCay
|
|-
| 1989
| ''Dead Aim''
| Sheila Freeman
|
|-
| 1994
| ''[[In the Army Now (film)|In the Army Now]]''
| Sgt. Ladd
|
|-
| 1996
| ''{{sortname|A|Thin Line Between Love and Hate}}''
| Brandi Web
|
|-
|rowspan="3"| 1997
| ''[[Gone Fishin' (film)|Gone Fishin']]''
| Angie
|
|-
| ''{{sortname|The|Planet of Junior Brown}}''
| Mrs. Brown
|
|-
| ''[[Eve's Bayou]]''
| Roz Batiste
|
|-
| 1998
| ''[[Stepmom (1998 film)|Stepmom]]''
| Dr. P. Sweikert
|
|-
| 2002
| ''{{sortname|A|Time for Dancing}}''
| Linda Derricks
|
|-
| 2003
| ''[[Head of State (2003 film)|Head of State]]''
| Debra Lassiter
|
|-
|rowspan="2"| 2006
| ''[[Madea's Family Reunion]]''
| Victoria Breaux
|
|-
| ''Confessions''
| Dr. Page
|
|-
|rowspan="2"| 2008
| ''Kings of the Evening''
| Gracie
|
|-
| ''{{sortname|The|Women|dab = 2008 film}}''
| Glenda Hill
|
|-
| 2009
| ''[[The Rebound]]''
| Laura Reilly
|
|-
|rowspan="2"| 2011
| ''[[Mama, I Want to Sing! (film)|Mama, I Want to Sing!]]''
| Lillian Winter
|
|-
| ''[[All Things Fall Apart]]''
| Bee
|
|-
|rowspan="3"| 2012
| ''Battlefield America''
| Ms. Lynn Parker
|
|-
| ''Redemption of a Dog''
| Francine
|
|-
| ''Training to Be A Superhero''
| MiMi Jakes
| Short film and also producer
|-
|rowspan="7"| 2013
| ''Lonely Boy''
| Dr. Christine Nolan
| 
|-
| ''24 Hour Love''
| Cynthia
| 
|-
| ''[[King's Faith]]''
| Vanessa
|
|-
| ''Act Like You Love Me''
| Harriett Lofton
| 
|-
| ''Someone to Love''
| Sophia Brent
| Also producer
|-
| ''The Last Letter''
| Lorraine
| 
|-
| ''The Dempsey Sisters''
| Olivia Norman
| 
|-
|rowspan="4"| 2014
| ''Blood Lines''
| Vivian
|
|-
| ''Take the Spotlight''
| Lynn Watson
|
|-
| ''[[30 Days in Atlanta]]''
| Clara the Immigration Lawyer
| 
|-  
| ''[[Lap Dance (film)|Lap Dance]]''
| Momma Pearl
|
|-
| 2015
| ''Curve Ball''
| Dr. Layne
| 
|-
|rowspan="2"| 2016
| ''Prayer Never Fails''
| Loral Hess
| 
|-
| ''The North Star''
| Miss Grace
| 
|-
| 2017
| ''Espionage Tonight''
| Sydney Greenstreet
| 
|-
|rowspan="2"| 2018
| ''[[Nappily Ever After]]''
| Paulette Jones
|
|-
| ''Solace''
| Irene
| 
|-
| 2020
| ''[[Tales from the Hood 3]]''
| Marie Benoit
| Video
|-
| 2021
| ''[[Vacation Friends]]''
| Suzanne Conway
|
|-
| 2023
| ''[[The Retirement Plan]]''
| Francine Drisdale
| 
|-
|2024
|''[[Albany Road]]''
|Paula Henderson
|
|}

===Television===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
| 1981
| ''[[Hill Street Blues]]''
| Jill Thomas
| Recurring cast: season 1, guest: season 2
|-
| 1982
| ''[[American Playhouse]]'' 
| Woman in the bath
| Episode: "For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow Is Enuf"
|-
| 1983
| ''[[Matt Houston]]''
| Val
| Episode: "The Centerfold Murders"
|-
|rowspan="5"| 1985
| ''[[Cagney & Lacey]]''
| Eleanor Taggart
| Episode: "Who Says It's Fair: Part 1 & 2"
|-
| ''[[Miami Vice]]''
| Odette Ribaud
| Episode: "Bought and Paid For"
|-
| ''[[The Insiders (TV series)|The Insiders]]''
| Yvonne
| Episode: "All This and the Old School Tie"
|-
| ''{{sortname|The|Fall Guy}}''
| Jeanne
| Episode: "Escape Claus"
|-
| ''The Fisher Family''
| -
| Episode: "How Shall We Then Live?"
|-
|rowspan="4"| 1986
| ''{{sortname|The|New Mike Hammer}}''
| Della Marvel
| Episode: "Harlem Nocturne"
|-
| ''[[Tall Tales & Legends]]''
| Pollie Ann
| Episode: "John Henry"
|-
| ''Johnnie Mae Gibson: FBI''
| Johnnie Mae Gibson
| TV movie
|-
| ''[[The George McKenna Story]]''
| Bobbie Maxwell
| TV movie
|-
| 1988
| ''[[St. Elsewhere]]''
| Annie Callan
| Episode: "Curtains"
|-
| 1988–89
| ''[[HeartBeat (1988 TV series)|HeartBeat]]''
| Dr. Cory Banks
| Main cast
|-
|rowspan="2"| 1989
| ''{{sortname|The|Women of Brewster Place|dab = TV miniseries}}''
| Lucielia "Ciel" Turner
| Episode: "Episode #1.1 & #1.2"
|-
| ''[[Snoops (1989 TV series)|Snoops]]''
| Denise Kendall
| Recurring cast
|-
|rowspan="2"| 1990
| ''[[American Playhouse]]'' 
| -
| Episode: "Zora Is My Name!"
|-
| ''[[Matlock (1986 TV series)|Matlock]]''
| Angela Page
| Episode: "The Informer Part 1 & 2"
|-
|rowspan="4"| 1991
| ''[[Equal Justice (TV series)|Equal Justice]]''
| Maggie Mayfield
| Recurring cast: season 2
|-
| ''{{sortname|The|Trials of Rosie O'Neill}}''
| 
| Episode: "Domestic Silence"
|-
| ''{{sortname|The|Josephine Baker Story}}''
| [[Josephine Baker]]
| TV movie
|-
| ''{{sortname|A|Triumph of the Heart: The Ricky Bell Story|nolink = 1}}''
| Natala
| TV movie
|-
| 1992
| ''Stompin' at the Savoy''
| Esther
| TV movie
|-
| 1993
| ''[[Taking the Heat]]''
| Carolyn Hunter
| TV movie
|-
|rowspan="2"| 1994
| ''[[State of Emergency (1994 film)|State of Emergency]]''
| Dehlia Johnson
| TV movie
|-
| ''[[Thicker Than Blood: The Larry McLinden Story]]''
| Bobbie Mallory
| TV movie
|-
| 1994–95
| ''{{sortname|The|Cosby Mysteries}}''
| Barbara Lorenz
| Main cast
|-
| 1996
| ''Sophie & the Moonhanger''
| Sophie
| TV movie
|-
|rowspan="2"| 1997
| ''[[Martin (TV series)|Martin]]''
| Ellen
| Episode: "Goin' Overboard: Part 1 & 2"
|-
| ''[[Touched by an Angel]]''
| Dr. Serena Hall
| Episode: "Amazing Grace: Part 1 & 2"
|-
|rowspan="2"| 1998
| ''{{sortname|The|Wedding|nolink = 1}}''
| Corinne Coles
| TV movie
|-
| ''{{sortname|The|Color of Courage|nolink = 1}}''
| Minnie McGhee
| TV movie
|-
|rowspan="3"| 1999
| ''[[Deep in My Heart (1999 film)|Deep in My Heart]]''
| Corinne Burrell
| TV movie
|-
| ''Dangerous Evidence: The Lori Jackson Story''
| Lori Jackson
| TV movie
|-
| ''Love Songs''
| Jean Simpson
| TV movie
|-
| rowspan="2"| 2001
| ''{{sortname|A|Girl Thing|nolink = 1}}''
| Nia Morgan
| TV movie
|-
| ''[[Boston Public]]''
| Louanna Harper
| Recurring cast: season 2
|-
| 2002
| ''Lost in Oz''
| Bellaridere
| TV movie
|-
| 2002–06
| ''[[Without a Trace]]''
| Paula Van Doren
| Recurring cast: season 1, guest: season 2 & 4
|-
| 2003
| ''{{sortname|The|Cheetah Girls|dab = film}}''
| [[Dorothea Garibaldi]]
| TV movie
|-
| rowspan="2"| 2004
| ''[[Redemption: The Stan Tookie Williams Story]]''
| Barbara Becnel
| TV movie
|-
| ''[[Strong Medicine]]''
| Dr. Marshall
| Episode: "Race for a Cure"
|-
|rowspan="2"| 2006
| ''[[Shark (U.S. TV series)|Shark]]''
| Anita Astin
| Episode: "Pilot"
|-
| ''{{sortname|The|Cheetah Girls 2}}''
| Dorothea Garibaldi
| TV movie
|-
| 2009
| ''[[FlashForward]]''
| Anastasia Markham
| Episode: "White to Play"
|-
|rowspan="2"| 2012
| ''Somebody's Child''
| Constance
| TV movie
|-
| ''[[Are We There Yet? (TV series)|Are We There Yet?]]''
| Pamela "Pam" Washington
| Episode: "The Mother's-in-Law Episode" & "The Thanksgiving Episode"
|-
| rowspan="3" |2014
| ''[[Family Time (TV series)|Family Time]]''
| Donna
| Episode: "The Will"
|-
| ''My Other Mother''
| Mary Jo
| TV movie
|-
| ''The Fright Night Files''
| Madame Mabry
| TV movie
|-
| 2014–15
| ''[[How to Get Away with Murder]]''
| Mary Walker
| Recurring cast: season 1
|-
| 2014–16
| ''[[Hit the Floor (TV series)|Hit the Floor]]''
| Vanessa Howard
| Recurring cast: season 2-3
|-
| rowspan="2"| 2015
| ''[[Chasing Life]]''
| Karen Callahan
| Episode: "Model Behavior" & "No News Is Bad News"
|-
| ''Fear Files''
| Madame Mabry
| TV movie
|-
| 2015–16
| ''[[Mistresses (U.S. TV series)|Mistresses]]''
| Marjorie
| Guest: season 3, recurring cast: season 4
|-
| 2016–20 
| ''[[Greenleaf (TV series)|Greenleaf]]''
| Lady Mae Greenleaf
| Main cast 
|-
| 2019
| ''[[The Resident (TV series)|The Resident]]''
| Josephine Okeke
| Episode: "Queens"
|-
| 2022
| ''We Need a Little Christmas''
| Irene
| TV movie
|-
| 2023
| ''[[Fantasy Island (2021 TV series)|Fantasy Island]]''
| Judy Jackson
| Episode: "Mystery in Miami"
|-
| 2023
| ''[[The Chi]]''
| Alicia
| 4 episodes
|-
| 2025
| ''[[Eyes of Wakanda]]''
| {{TBA}} (voice)
| In production
|}

==Awards and nominations==
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|-
!  Year  
! Award
!  Category
!  Work
!  Result 
|-
| 1991
| [[43rd Primetime Emmy Awards|Emmy Awards]]
| [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie|Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Special]]
| rowspan="4"| ''The Josephine Baker Story''
| {{won}}
|-
|rowspan="2"| 1992
| [[49th Golden Globe Awards|Golden Globe Awards]]
| [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Miniseries or Television Film|Best Performance by an Actress in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TV]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan=1| [[CableACE Award]]
| rowspan=1| Actress in a Movie or Miniseries
| {{nom}}
|-
| 1993
| rowspan=4| [[NAACP Image Awards]]
| [[NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special|Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, Mini-Series or Television Movie]]
| {{won}}
|-
|rowspan="2"| 1998
| [[NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture#1990s|Outstanding Lead Actress in a Motion Picture]]
| ''Eve's Bayou''
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series|Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series]]
| ''Touched by an Angel''
| {{won}}
|-
|rowspan="2"| 1999
| Outstanding Lead Actress in a Television Movie or Mini-Series
| ''The Wedding''
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan=1| [[Online Film Critics Society|Online Film & Television Association]]
| rowspan=1| Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture or Miniseries
| rowspan=1|''The Color of Courage''
| {{nom}}
|-
|rowspan="3"| 2000
|rowspan="2"| [[NAACP Image Awards]]
| Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie/Miniseries/Dramatic Special
| ''Dangerous Evidence: The Lori Jackson Story''
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Performance in a Youth/Children's Series or Special|Outstanding Performance in a Youth or Children's Series/Special]]
| ''The Planet of Junior Brown''
| {{won}}
|-
| rowspan=3| [[Black Reel Awards]]
| [[Black Reel Award for Best Actress: T.V. Movie/Cable|Network/Cable - Best Actress]]
| ''Love Songs''
| {{nom}}
|-
| 2004
| [[Black Reel Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress, TV Movie or Limited Series|Television: Best Supporting Actress]]
| ''The Cheetah Girls''
| {{nom}}
|-
|rowspan="3"| 2005
| [[Black Reel Awards of 2005|Best Actress, Network/Cable Television]]
| rowspan="3"| ''Redemption: The Stan Tookie Williams Story''
| {{won}}
|-
| rowspan=1| [[Women Film Critics Circle Awards]]
| rowspan=1| Acting and Activism Award
| {{won}}
|-
| rowspan=2| NAACP Image Awards
| [[36th NAACP Image Awards|Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special]]
| {{won}}
|-
| 2016
| rowspan=1| [[NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series|Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series]]
| rowspan=2|''Greenleaf''
| {{nom}}
|-
|rowspan="2"| 2017
| [[Gracie Awards]]
| Actress in a Supporting Role - Drama
| {{won}}
|-
|[[Los Angeles Film Festival]]
| rowspan=1| Best Ensemble Cast
| rowspan=1|''Solace''
| {{won}}
|-
|rowspan="2"| 2018
| Black Reel Award
| Outstanding Supporting Actress, Drama Series
| rowspan="6"| ''Greenleaf''
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan=2| NAACP Image Awards
| rowspan=2| Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
| {{nom}}
|-
|rowspan="2"| 2019
| {{won}}
|-
| Black Reel Award
| Outstanding Supporting Actress, Drama Series
| {{nom}}
|-
| 2020
| rowspan="4"| NAACP Image Awards
| rowspan="2"| Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
| {{won}}
|-
| 2021
| {{nom}}
|-
|rowspan="2"| 2025
| Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture
| ''Albany Road''
| {{nom}}
|-
| Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
| ''The Chi''
| {{won}}
|}

==References==
{{reflist|3}}

==External links==
*{{IMDb name}}

{{Navboxes
|title = Awards for Lynn Whitfield
|list =
{{Black Reel Award for Outstanding Actress, TV Movie or Limited Series}}
{{EmmyAward MiniseriesLeadActress 1976-2000}}
{{NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series}}
{{NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series}}
{{NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special}}
{{NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Performance by a Youth (Series, Special, Television Movie or Limited-series)}}
}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Whitfield, Lynn}}
[[Category:1953 births]]
[[Category:20th-century African-American actresses]]
[[Category:20th-century American actresses]]
[[Category:21st-century African-American actresses]]
[[Category:21st-century American actresses]]
[[Category:Actresses from Baton Rouge, Louisiana]]
[[Category:American film actresses]]
[[Category:American television actresses]]
[[Category:Howard University alumni]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Louisiana Creole people]]
[[Category:Outstanding Performance by a Lead Actress in a Miniseries or Movie Primetime Emmy Award winners]]