Lynn Whitfield Net Worth

What is Lynn Whitfield’s Net Worth and Salary?

Born Lynn Butler-Smith, Lynn Whitfield is a multi-awarded actress who has been active in the entertainment industry since the 1980s. According to Celebrity Net Worth, Lynn Whitfield’s net worth is $6 million. Her primary source of income is her acting career, which spans over several decades. Lynn Whitfield’s earnings per role vary, with her most lucrative ones being Eve’s Bayou and Thin Line Between Love and Hate, for which she was reportedly paid $1 million.

Early Life and Education

Lynn Butler-Smith was born on May 6, 1953, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She was the eldest of four children of Jean Butler, a finance officer, and Valerian Smith, a dentist. Whitfield grew up in Natchez, Mississippi, where she attended a local high school before enrolling at Howard University in Washington, DC, to study acting. After completing her graduation, she moved to New York City to pursue her dream of becoming an actress.

Career

Lynn Whitfield’s career in the entertainment industry started in the 1980s, where she appeared in several television movies and series. Her steady rise to fame came when she played the role of Josephine Baker in the HBO series The Josephine Baker Story. The performance earned Lynn an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie. She then went on to star in several movies, including A Thin Line Between Love and Hate, The Cheetah Girls, and Eve’s Bayou, for which she received critical acclaim for her role as the matriarch of a prominent Creole family in Louisiana.

Lynn Whitfield’s talent and dedication to her work have earned her several awards and nominations throughout her career. In addition to her Emmy, Lynn has won a Screen Actors Guild Award, a NAACP Image Award, and several others over the years.

Personal Life

Lynn Whitfield has been married twice. Her first marriage was to director and producer Vantile Whitfield, with whom she had a daughter named Grace Gibson. The couple divorced after ten years of marriage. In 1990, she married Brian Gibson, a British film director, with whom she had another daughter, named Hannah. The couple remained married until Brian’s death in 2004.

Real Estate

Lynn Whitfield owns a beautiful estate in Atlanta, Georgia, which was featured on the HGTV show, Celebrity Holiday Homes. The 7,094 square foot home, built-in 2000, has six bedrooms, six bathrooms, and a private 7.5-acre backyard with a swimming pool.

Legacy

Lynn Whitfield’s contribution to the entertainment industry has been immense, with her work inspiring many people of color to pursue a career in acting. Throughout her career, she has portrayed strong women who overcome adversity, sending a message of hope and resilience to her audience. Besides her impressive filmography, Lynn Whitfield is also an advocate of various charitable causes, including the National Breast Cancer Foundation and the Red Cross, where she serves as a board member.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How did Lynn Whitfield get into acting?

Lynn Whitfield discovered her love for acting during her years at Howard University, where she studied theater. She later moved to New York City to pursue her career as an actress full-time, and landed her first role in Rich Kids, a television series directed by Robert Altman.

What is Lynn Whitfield’s most famous role?

Lynn Whitfield’s most famous role was in the HBO miniseries The Josephine Baker Story, where she played the legendary French-American entertainer Josephine Baker. The role earned her critical acclaim and an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie.

What other awards has Lynn Whitfield won?

Besides her Emmy Award, Lynn Whitfield has won several awards throughout her career. She has won a Screen Actors Guild Award, NAACP Image Awards, and others.

What is Lynn Whitfield’s approach to acting?

Lynn Whitfield has mentioned in several interviews that she approaches every role she plays with dedication, research, and a deep understanding of the character’s history and motivations. She also emphasizes the importance of connecting with the other actors and the director to create a cohesive performance.

What is Lynn Whitfield’s favorite role?

Lynn Whitfield has mentioned in interviews that playing Mozelle Batiste Delacroix in the film Eve’s Bayou was one of her favorite roles. In her words, the character was complex, multi-dimensional, and challenged her as an actress.

What has Lynn Whitfield contributed to charity?

Lynn Whitfield is a supporter of various charitable causes, including the National Breast Cancer Foundation and the Red Cross. She also serves as a board member of the Los Angeles-based charity Peace 4 Kids, which helps foster youth in the area.

What is Lynn Whitfield’s take on the recent Black Lives Matter movement?

Lynn Whitfield has been vocal about her support for the Black Lives Matter movement. In a recent interview, she mentioned that she thinks the movement is necessary and long overdue, and that she hopes it will bring about lasting changes in society.

What is Lynn Whitfield’s advice for young actors?

Lynn Whitfield advises young actors to be disciplined, dedicated, and persistent in pursuing their dream. She also emphasizes the importance of taking training seriously, learning from experienced actors, and staying true to oneself.

What is Lynn Whitfield’s most challenging role?

Lynn Whitfield has mentioned in interviews that playing the role of the abusive, manipulative, and ruthless Brenda in the film A Thin Line Between Love and Hate was one of her most challenging roles. The character was a departure from her usual sympathetic characters, and required a different approach to acting.

What is Lynn Whitfield’s favorite memory on-set?

Lynn Whitfield has mentioned in interviews that her favorite memory on-set was during the filming of The Josephine Baker Story. She recalls being on-location in France, surrounded by talented actors, and feeling like she was living the life of Josephine Baker herself.

What motivates Lynn Whitfield to keep acting?

Lynn Whitfield has mentioned in interviews that she is motivated by her love for the craft of acting, the challenge of playing complex characters, and the opportunity to inspire others through her work.

What is Lynn Whitfield’s preferred genre of film?

Lynn Whitfield enjoys acting in a variety of genres, including drama, comedy, and romance. She has mentioned in interviews that the genre is less important to her than the quality of the script and the character she plays.

What has Lynn Whitfield cited as her biggest acting challenge?

Lynn Whitfield has mentioned in interviews that her biggest acting challenge was playing the role of a Cuban-American in the film Cuba Gooding Jr.’s directorial debut, Louisiana Caviar. She noted that the role required her to learn a new accent, language, and culture, which was both intimidating and exciting.

What films does Lynn Whitfield recommend to young actors?

Lynn Whitfield recommends young actors to watch classic films like Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, The Thomas Crown Affair, and Auntie Mame to learn from the greats and understand the history of cinema. She also recommends watching contemporary films that reflect diverse voices and experiences.

What has Lynn Whitfield said about diversity in Hollywood?

Lynn Whitfield has been vocal about the lack of diversity in Hollywood and has called for more opportunities for actors of color. In her opinion, the only way to change the industry is for the studios and networks to make a concerted effort to hire diverse talent and creators, and for audiences to embrace diverse stories.

What is Lynn Whitfield’s upcoming project?

Lynn Whitfield’s upcoming project is a film called Grace and Beauty, written and directed by Malinda Williams. In it, she plays a character named Grace, who is a successful fashion designer dealing with personal and professional setbacks.