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What Is Lynn Whitfield’s Net Worth?
Lynn Whitfield, a celebrated American actress, has cultivated a successful career spanning decades in television, film, and theatre. According to Celebrity Net Worth, Lynn Whitfield’s net worth is estimated to be $3 million. However, a 2024 report by HotNewHipHop estimates her net worth at $10 million. These figures reflect her accomplishments in critically acclaimed roles and various projects in the entertainment industry. Her primary source of income is her acting career.
Lynn Whitfield’s Early Career and Rise to Prominence
Born on February 15, 1953, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to Valerian Smith, a dentist, and Jean Smith (née Butler), an agent for funding agencies, Lynn Whitfield’s journey into acting began with a strong foundation in the arts. She is the eldest of four children. Her initial exposure to acting was significantly influenced by her father, who was instrumental in forming a community theatre in Baton Rouge. Her love for movies was also nurtured by her maternal grandmother, Estelle Devall Butler, who introduced her to the world of cinema. She graduated from Howard University with a degree in fine arts. Before transitioning to on-screen roles, Whitfield honed her skills in theatre. She gained early recognition for her performances with the Black Repertory Company in Washington, D.C., and co-starred in the West Coast production of “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide… When the Rainbow is Enuf” in Los Angeles in 1977. Her official on-camera career began in 1981 with an appearance in “Hill Street Blues” as Jill Thomas.
Lynn Whitfield’s Key Milestones and Accolades
Lynn Whitfield’s career is marked by several significant milestones. Her breakthrough role came with her portrayal of Josephine Baker in “The Josephine Baker Story” in 1991. For this role, she won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie. She also received a Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Actress – Miniseries or Television Film. Over her career, Lynn Whitfield has won seven NAACP Image Awards. This includes wins for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series in 2019 and 2020 for her role in “Greenleaf.” In 2017, she also won a Gracie Award for Outstanding Female Actor in a Supporting Role in a Drama Series for “Greenleaf”. In 2013, she received the Pan African Film Festival’s Lifetime Achievement Award. In 1991, she also won the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special for “The Josephine Baker Story”.
Lynn Whitfield’s Film and Television Roles
Throughout the 1980s, Lynn Whitfield appeared in various television shows, including “Hill Street Blues”, “This is the Life”, “Cagney & Lacey”, “Miami Vice”, “St. Elsewhere”, and “Matlock”. She also had roles in films such as “Doctor Detroit” (1983) and “Silverado” (1985). In the 1990s, following her success as Josephine Baker, Whitfield starred in several made-for-television movies and theatrical films, including “A Thin Line Between Love and Hate” (1996), “Eve’s Bayou” (1997), and “Stepmom” (1998). From 2016 to 2020, she starred as Lady Mae Greenleaf in the Oprah Winfrey Network drama series “Greenleaf”, earning critical acclaim and multiple NAACP Image Awards. Other notable film appearances include “Head of State” (2003), “Madea’s Family Reunion” (2006), and “The Women” (2008).
