Lois Smith has spent nearly her entire life on stage and screen, but it wasn’t until she turned 90 that she made history. In 2020, she became the oldest actor ever to win a Tony Award, proving that passion and persistence know no age limit.
Born in Topeka, Kansas, in 1930, Smith grew up surrounded by theater. Her father directed biblical plays at their local church, and she quickly fell in love with performing. By the time she was a teenager, she knew all the lines and even stepped in when needed. Acting wasn’t just a hobby—it was her calling.
At 18, she married Wesley Smith and moved to New York to chase her dreams. Like many aspiring actors, she took odd jobs to make ends meet—slicing salami at a deli and checking coats at the Russian Tea Room. But she never lost sight of her goal.
Her big break came in 1955 when she appeared on the cover of LIFE Magazine alongside rising stars like Jayne Mansfield. While others sought fame, Smith was more interested in the craft itself. She never changed her name or chased trends—she simply wanted to act.
Over the decades, she built an impressive career, working with legends like Tennessee Williams, Sam Shepard, and Eugene O’Neill. She also appeared in films like Twister and Lady Bird, but theater remained her first love.
Unlike many in Hollywood, Smith embraced aging naturally. She never dyed her hair or underwent cosmetic procedures, letting her silver strands shine. “Nature just decided to gray me that way,” she once said, “and I really liked how it happened.”
Her Tony win for The Inheritance at 90 was the crowning achievement of her career. Playing a caregiver in an AIDS shelter, she delivered a performance critics called “quietly brilliant.” Even in her 90s, she continued acting, walking red carpets, and inspiring new generations.
Lois Smith’s story isn’t just about longevity—it’s about staying true to yourself, no matter how long it takes to reach your dreams.
