Lynn Whitfield

Biography

Lynn Whitfield (née Butler-Smith; born May 6, 1953) is an American actress and producer known for her significant contributions to film and television. She began her career in television and theatre, eventually gaining recognition for her supporting roles in film. Whitfield won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie for her portrayal of Josephine Baker in the HBO biographical drama The Josephine Baker Story (1991), which also earned her a Golden Globe Award nomination. Following her breakthrough, she starred in numerous made-for-television movies during the 1990s and had prominent roles in films such as A Thin Line Between Love and Hate (1996), Eve's Bayou (1997), and Madea's Family Reunion (2006). In 2016, she began her role as Lady Mae Greenleaf in the Oprah Winfrey Network series Greenleaf. Whitfield has received five NAACP Image Awards throughout her career.