Yeardley Smith | |
|---|---|
 Smith interviewed onThe Woody Show in 2019 | |
| Born | Martha Maria Yeardley Smith (1964-07-03)July 3, 1964 (age 61) Paris, France |
| Citizenship | United States |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1982–present |
| Spouses | |
Martha Maria Yeardley Smith (/ˈjɑːrdli/YARD-lee;[1] born July 3, 1964) is an American actress. She stars as the voice ofLisa Simpson on the animated television seriesThe Simpsons.
Smith began acting in 1982 after graduating from drama school. She moved to New York City in 1984, where she appeared in the Broadway production ofTom Stoppard'sThe Real Thing. She made her film debut in 1985'sHeaven Help Us, followed by roles inThe Legend of Billie Jean andMaximum Overdrive. She moved to Los Angeles in 1986 and took a recurring role in the television seriesBrothers.
In 1987, Smith auditioned for theSimpsons shorts onThe Tracey Ullman Show. Smith intended to audition for the role ofBart Simpson, but the casting director felt her voice was too high, and she was cast as Bart's sister Lisa. In 1989, the shorts werespun off into their own half-hour show,The Simpsons. For her work onThe Simpsons, Smith received aPrimetime Emmy Award forOutstanding Voice-Over Performance in 1992.
AlongsideThe Simpsons, Smith appeared in the sitcomHerman's Head as Louise, and had recurring appearances as Marlene onDharma & Greg and as Penny in two episodes ofDead Like Me. She has appeared in several films, includingCity Slickers,Just Write,Toys, andAs Good as It Gets. In 2004, Smith performed anoff-Broadway one-woman show entitledMore at theUnion Square Theatre in New York City. Aside fromThe Simpsons, Smith has recorded few voice-over parts, only commercials and the filmWe're Back! A Dinosaur's Story. Smith starred in and served as executive producer for the independent romantic comedyWaiting For Ophelia, which had its world premiere at thePhoenix Film Festival in April 2009.
Smith was born on July 3, 1964, inParis, France. Her father, Joseph Smith, worked forUnited Press International in Paris and moved to Washington, D.C., in 1966, where he becameThe Washington Post's first official obituary editor.[2][3] Her mother, Martha Mayor, was apaper conservator for theFreer andSackler Galleries at theSmithsonian Institution.[4] Smith's parents later divorced.[5] Her maternal grandfather was art historianA. Hyatt Mayor, and among her great-grandparents were marine biologist and zoologistAlpheus Hyatt and artist and sculptorHarriet Randolph Hyatt Mayor.[6][7] She is also the paternal niece of political scientist, historian, andLatin American studies specialistPeter H. Smith.[8] Smith has labeled her family "upper crust and reserved".[9] As a child, Smith was often teased because of her unusual voice.[10] Smith has stated: "I've sounded pretty much the same way since I was six. Maybe [my voice is] a little deeper now."[11] She made her acting debut in a sixth-grade play.[12]
Smith became a professional actress in 1982.[12][13] After appearances in a number of school plays, she joined the localArena Stage theater group on an apprenticeship, featuring in their production ofPeter Pan. She went on to star in several other plays in Washington.[12] She moved to New York City in 1984 and appeared in the Broadway production ofTom Stoppard's playThe Real Thing alongsideJeremy Irons andGlenn Close.[10][14]
Smith's first film role came inHeaven Help Us (1985).[10] She then played Putter inThe Legend of Billie Jean (also 1985). The film was abox office bomb and critically panned, although Smith "thought it would be the movie that launched my career. And then it was out at the box office about 10 days before it died."[11] When filming was over, she rejoinedThe Real Thing before being out of work for six months. Smith worried her career was over.[10] However, the following year, she played Connie inStephen King'sMaximum Overdrive (1986), noting it was "truly a dreadful film, but I had a great part in it."[10]
Smith moved to Los Angeles in 1986 on the "semi-promise" of a part in a TV film.[2][10] After the audition, the role was given to another actress. Smith realized "that people don't mean what they say. It's not malicious. They just don't realize how much impact they have on an impressionable actor – and all actors are impressionable." From then on, she decided to "just sort of build a wall around myself", to cope with the disappointment of not getting a part.[10] In Los Angeles, Smith appeared in theatrical productions ofLiving on Salvation Street, for which she was paid $14 for each performance,[13]Boys and Girls/Men and Women, andHow the Other Half Loves, and played the recurring role of Louella Waters on theShowtime seriesBrothers.[15] She appeared in the filmsThe Legend of Billie Jean andGinger Ale Afternoon (1989) as "trailer-park girls".[2] She later spoke of her regrets of appearing in the latter in her one-woman showMore.[16]
It's a happy fluke. When she was cast back in 1987, I just liked the sound of her voice. She's also a great actress. In general, people who make their living doing voices on cartoons aren't always great for us. Most cartoons want things peppy and cartoony. Yeardley is able to go through moments of great emotion and wring it for all she's worth.
Smith's longest-running role is voicingLisa Simpson onThe Simpsons. She has voiced Lisa since 1987, beginning withThe Simpsons shorts onThe Tracey Ullman Show. Smith had initially been asked to audition for the role of Lisa's brotherBart, but casting directorBonita Pietila thought her voice was too high. Smith later recalled "I always sounded too much like a girl, I read two lines as Bart and they said, 'Thanks for coming!'"[13][17] Smith was given the role of Lisa, instead. She denies rumors that she almost turned down the role, though admits she had never planned a career in voice-over work.[18] Pietila stated that, having seen her inLiving on Salvation Street,[13] Smith was always her preferred choice.[10] Smith lifts her voice up slightly to perform the role.[13] Lisa is the only regular character voiced by Smith, although in some earlier episodes, she provided some ofMaggie's squeaks and occasional speaking parts.[19] Smith has only voiced characters other than Lisa on very rare occasions, with those characters usually being some derivative of Lisa, such as Lisa Bella in "Last Tap Dance in Springfield" and Lisa Jr. in "Missionary: Impossible" (both fromseason 11 in 2000).[1] Smith spends two days a week recording the show.[20]
Until 1998, Smith was paid $30,000 per episode. During a pay dispute in 1998, Fox threatened to replace the six main voice actors with new actors, going as far as preparing to cast new voices.[21] However, the dispute was soon resolved and she received $125,000 per episode until 2004, when the voice actors demanded that they be paid $360,000 per episode.[21] The issue was resolved a month later,[22] and Smith earned $250,000 per episode.[23] Following salary renegotiations in 2008, the voice actors received about $400,000 per episode.[24] Three years later, with Fox threatening to cancel the series unless production costs were cut, Smith and the other cast members accepted a 25% pay cut, down to just over $300,000 per episode.[25]
Despite her world-famous role, Smith is rarely recognized in public, which she does not mind, saying, "it's wonderful to be in the midst of all this hype about the show, and people enjoying the show so much, and to be totally afly on the wall; people never recognise me solely from my voice."[23] In a 2009 interview withThe Guardian, she commented: "It's the best job ever. I have nothing but gratitude for the amount of freedomThe Simpsons has bought me in my life."[20]
Smith received aPrimetime Emmy Award in 1992, but felt it was not worth anything, saying "there's part of me that feels it wasn't even a real Emmy." The Emmy forOutstanding Voice-Over Performance is aCreative Arts and not handed out during the primetime telecast and, prior to 2009, was a juried award without nominations.[26] However, Smith says "if I had to be associated with one character in fiction, I will always be thrilled that it was Lisa Simpson."[26] The show's creatorMatt Groening has called Smith very similar to Lisa: "Yeardley has strong moral views about her character. There are lines that are written for Lisa that Yeardley reads and says, 'No, I wouldn't say that.'"[10] WriterJay Kogen praised her performance on the show, particularly in the episode "Lisa's Substitute", as able "to move past comedy to something really strong and serious and dramatic".[10]
From 1991 to 1994, alongsideThe Simpsons, Smith was one of the lead cast members in the sitcomHerman's Head as Louise.[12] Her other television roles include recurring appearances as Marlene onDharma & Greg, and Penny in two episodes ofDead Like Me. Smith has also appeared inPhil of the Future andTeen Angel.[27] Her one-scene role as pregnant checkout girl Nancy in 1991'sCity Slickers earned her "more attention than all [her] previous roles combined", and taught her "that it's far better to have small parts in big movies that everyone sees."[11] In 1997, she appeared as Lulu the palm reader in the independent filmJust Write.[11] Her other roles include parts inBarry Levinson'sToys andJames L. Brooks'As Good as It Gets.[2] Brooks, who is also executive producer ofThe Simpsons, had cast Smith in his 1994 filmI'll Do Anything (in one of the film's musical numbers), but her part was cut.[11] Aside fromThe Simpsons, Smith has recorded few voice-over parts, only commercials and the filmWe're Back! A Dinosaur's Story. She "had a voice-over agent for about two years, and I used to go out [on auditions] all the time, but it never really came to anything. Everybody said, 'Oh Yeardley, you'll clean up,' and that was definitely not the case."[10]
In 2004, Smith performed her own off-Broadway one-woman show entitledMore at theUnion Square Theatre in New York City. Directed byJudith Ivey,[28] the play is about her mixed feelings over the success ofThe Simpsons, her parents, her relationships, and her struggles withbulimia.[2][26]The New York Times critic Margo Jefferson called it an "appealing if overlong show", adding that "The career narrative needed shortening. This would involve some editing and revising but wouldn't taint the best parts ofMore. It is refreshing to hear a celebrity talk cleanly about being fame-driven and about not getting the degree or the kind of fame you craved. It's fun to watch a skilled actress use her craft to the full."[28] She would later perform the play for three weeks in Los Angeles the following year.[29]
Smith starred in and served as executive producer for the independent romantic comedyWaiting for Ophelia, which was released in 2009. She funded the film, which was written by Adam Carl and based on a stage play he wrote in 2003. She said: "I loved it. I never get to play parts like that. I always play the friend of a friend, never the lead. And the script surprised me." Carl stated it was very unlikely she would recoup her money, but Smith decided she "believe[d] in this project, and my expectations have already been fulfilled by making the movie", and added: "You can support art even if it's not going to make a zillion dollars."[20] It premiered on April 4, 2009, at thePhoenix Film Festival.[30]
In 2010, she had a small but attention-getting guest role inThe Big Bang Theory, as a counselor trying to place Sheldon in a job.
In 2011, Smith starred as Ms. Miller in the movieThe Chaperone alongsideTriple H andAriel Winter.
In June 2016, theHuman Rights Campaign released a video in tribute to the victims of theOrlando nightclub shooting; in the video, Smith and others told the stories of the people killed there.[31][32] On March 30, 2019, Smith was honored with the Human Rights Campaign's National Leadership Award in Los Angeles for her work as an advocate of theLGBT community.[33]
In 2017, Smith started a podcast,Small Town Dicks, which explores real life crime in small towns in the United States.[34] Smith had co-hosted the podcast with actress and long-time friend Zibby Allen until March 2019 when the two filed lawsuits against one another, with Allen accusing Smith of pushing her out of ownership and profit rights from the show.[35]
Smith is a lifelongDemocrat.[36]
In 2018, Smith mockedRepublicanTed Cruz after he labeled the Democratic Party as "the party ofLisa Simpson".[37][38] Smith recommended that people of differing political views should be able to work together ongun control, promotinggay rights andenvironmentalism.[39]
Smith marriedEnglish-Canadian actor Christopher Grove in 1990. They were divorced in 1992, citing irreconcilable differences.[40]
In a 1997 interview withThe Daily Targum, Smith stated "I am shy, but I have an extroverted persona which I can draw on when I need to," and that she is a "private" actress.[11]
She married Daniel Erickson in 2002; the marriage lasted for six years and Smith filed for divorce on May 21, 2008, citing irreconcilable differences.[41]
In 2009, she commented, "People have said to me that I'm unassuming. It's true, I'm the worst celebrity ever. But I'm trying to become better."[20]
Smith hadbulimia when she was a teenager. She noted "It would make me high, I would feelendorphins and this great sense of victory."[9][14]
Smith enjoys writing and painting. During the first season ofHerman's Head, Smith taught herself to paint by copying other artists.[11] The bookJust Humor Me includes a story, "The Race", written by Smith.[11] She has written a children's book,I, Lorelei, which was published byHarperCollins in February 2009.[42]
In 2011, Smith launched a women's shoe line called Marchez Vous.[43]
In November 2021, Yeardley was noted for producing a podcast on themurder of Sheila Anderson, one of Scotland's most notorious unsolved murders.[44][45]
On June 11, 2022, Smith married one of the co-hosts of her podcast,Small Town Dicks, Detective (Ret) Dan Grice. She met him while he was providing personal security for her during aSimpsons event.[46]
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Heaven Help Us | Kathleen | |
| The Legend of Billie Jean | Putter | ||
| 1986 | Maximum Overdrive | Connie | |
| 1987 | Three O'Clock High | Cheerleader | |
| 1989 | Listen to Me | Cootz | |
| Silence Like Glass | Karen | ||
| Ginger Ale Afternoon | Bonnie Cleator | ||
| 1991 | City Slickers | Nancy | |
| 1992 | Toys | Researcher Miss Drum | |
| 1993 | We're Back! A Dinosaur's Story | Cecilia Nuthatch | Voice |
| 1996 | Jingle All the Way | Woman who hits Howard with her purse[11] | Uncredited |
| 1997 | Just Write | Lulu | |
| As Good as It Gets | Jackie Simpson | ||
| 2002 | Back by Midnight | Veronica | |
| 2007 | The Simpsons Movie | Lisa Simpson | Voice |
| 2009 | The Pinky:st. Movie | Jennifer | Voice |
| Waiting for Ophelia | Caitlin O'Malley | Also executive producer | |
| The Miracle of Phil | Holly | ||
| Tug | Mom | ||
| 2010 | High School | Teacher | Cameo appearance |
| Virginia | Mrs. Whitaker | ||
| 2011 | The Chaperone | Ms. Miller | |
| New Year's Eve | Maude | ||
| Spork | Ms. Danahy | ||
| 2016 | Miles | Mrs. Armstrong | |
| 2018 | All Square | Beaches | Producer |
| 2021 | The Good, the Bart, and the Loki | Lisa Simpson | Short film |
| Plusaversary | |||
| 2022 | When Billie Met Lisa | ||
| Welcome to the Club | Lisa Simpson,Snow White | ||
| The Simpsons Meet the Bocellis in "Feliz Navidad" | Lisa Simpson |
| Year | Series | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | ABC Afterschool Special | Jenny | Episode 13.4: "Mom's on Strike" |
| 1987–1989 | Brothers | Louella Waters | Appeared in 46 episodes |
| 1985 | The Recovery Room | Jill | TV film |
| 1986 | Tales from the Darkside | Betty Ann Cooper | Episode 2.23: "Fear of Floating" |
| Mama's Family | Bonita Rokiki | Episode 3.11: "Where There's Smoke" | |
| 1987 | Square One Television (Mathnet) | Jane Rice-Burroughs | Appeared in four episodes; Episode 1.2: "The Problem of the Missing Monkey" |
| 1987–1989 | The Tracey Ullman Show | Lisa Simpson (voice) | The Simpsons shorts |
| 1988 | CBS Summer Playhouse | Paula Bennett | Episode 2.17: "Tickets, Please" |
| 1989 | Murphy Brown | Phoebe Cramer | Episode 2.5: "Miles' Big Adventure" |
| 1989–present | The Simpsons | Lisa Simpson (voice) | Main cast member; longest-running role Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Voice-Over Performance |
| 1990 | Sydney | Tracy Cole | Episode 1.8: "The Me Nobody Knows" |
| 42nd Primetime Emmy Awards | Lisa Simpson (voice) | TV special | |
| 1991–1994 | Herman's Head | Louise Fitzer | Main cast member; appeared in all 72 episodes |
| 1991 | Sesame Street | Lisa Simpson (voice) | One episode; CelebrityMonster in the Mirror |
| 1991–2004 | Rugrats | Brown Dummy Bear, additional voices (voice) | |
| 1992 | Likely Suspects | Unnamed character | Episode 1.11: "Am I Not Your Stiff" |
| 1994 | Empty Nest | Sally | Episode 7.3: "Just for Laughs" |
| 1997 | Toothless | Gatekeeper | TV film |
| Smart Guy | Mrs. Rawlings | Episode 2.5: "Dumbstruck" | |
| Teen Angel | Miss Gross | Episode 1.8: "Jeremiah Was a Bullfrog" | |
| 1997–2002 | Dharma & Greg | Marlene | Appeared in 17 episodes |
| 1998 | Sports Night | Malory Moss | Episode 1.4: "Intellectual Property" |
| 1999 | Nash Bridges | Stevie Strong | Episode 5.9: "Crosstalk" |
| 2001 | Last Dance | Unnamed character | TV film |
| 2003 | Becker | Ruby | Episode 5.19: "Ms. Fortune" |
| 2004 | Dead Like Me | Penny | Episodes 2.12: "Forget Me Not" and 2.14: "Always" |
| 2005 | Phil of the Future | Mandy Teslow | Episodes 1.18: "Double Trouble" and 1.20: "Corner Pocket" |
| Strong Medicine | Real Estate Agent | Episode 6.5: "Dying Inside" | |
| 2009 | Mad Men | Nurse | Episode 3.5: "The Fog" |
| The Wishing Well | Mary | TV film | |
| 2010 | The Big Bang Theory | Sandy | Episode 3.14: "The Einstein Approximation" |
| The Simpsons 20th Anniversary Special – In 3-D! On Ice! | Herself Lisa Simpson (voice) | TV special | |
| 2012 | FOX 25th Anniversary Special | Lisa Simpson (voice) | TV special |
| 2013 | Hot in Cleveland | Margaret | Episode 4.21: "Corpse Bride" |
| 2014 | Revenge | Phyllis | Episode 4.1: "Renaissance" |
| Family Guy | Lisa Simpson (voice) | Episode 13.1: "The Simpsons Guy" | |
| 2014–2015 | The Mindy Project | Carolyn | Episode 3.6: "Caramel Princess Time" and Episode 3.12: Stanford |
| 2016 | Fresh Off the Boat | Marie (Costco Employee) | Episode 3.6: "WWJD: What Would Jessica Do?" |
| 2017 | Mom | Enid | Episode 4.21: "A Few Thongs and A Hawaiian Funeral" |
| Year | Game | Voice role |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | The Simpsons | Lisa Simpson |
| 1996 | The Simpsons Cartoon Studio | |
| 1997 | Virtual Springfield | |
| 1999 | The Simpsons Bowling | |
| 2000 | The Simpsons Wrestling | |
| 2001 | The Simpsons: Road Rage | |
| 2002 | The Simpsons Skateboarding | |
| 2003 | The Simpsons: Hit & Run | |
| 2007 | The Simpsons Game | |
| 2012 | The Simpsons: Tapped Out | |
| 2025 | Fortnite Battle Royale |
| Year | Song | Role | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | "Do the Bartman" | Lisa Simpson | Nancy Cartwright |
| Year | Ride | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | The Simpsons Ride | Lisa Simpson |
| Year | Show | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2017–present | Small Town Dicks | Co-host |
| 2019 | Harmontown | Special guest (episode 337) |
| 2020 | Jensen and Holes: The Murder Squad | Special guest (January 20, 2020) |
| 2021 | I Said No Gifts! | Special guest (June 3, 2021) |
| 2022 | The Adam Carolla Show | Special guest (March 20, 2022) |
| International | |
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| National | |
| Artists | |
| People | |
| Other | |
