JEAN SMART

Jean Smart was born and raised in Seattle, Washington. She is a graduate of Ballard High School in Seattle. It was there that she gained an interest in acting in the drama program. She graduated from the University of Washington Professional Actors Training Program with a BFA. After graduating, she began her career working at acclaimed regional theatres in Seattle and at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. In 1980, she moved to New York and began working on Broadway and in Off-Broadway plays. A few years later she moved to Los Angeles and started working in television, starring in numerous series and TV movies, including the hit comedy show DESIGNING WOMEN, TEACHERS ONLY starring Lynn Redgrave, OVERKILL: THE AILEEN WUORNOS STORY, JUST MY IMAGINATION and AUDREY’S RAIN, among others.

The winner of four Emmys® and an additional seven nominations, as well as a Tony® nomination, Grammy® nomination and three Critics Choice Awards wins, Jean Smart recently received rave reviews and multiple award nominations and wins for her performances as Deborah Vance in the HBO Max comedy HACKS and as Kate Winslet’s character’s mother in the HBO limited series MARE OF EASTTOWN. Smart made history with her 2021 Emmy win for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for HACKS, joining Betty White as the only other actor to complete the comedy trifecta of having an Emmy in the comedy lead, supporting and guest categories. That win, along with several others for HACKS, earned her admittance to an elite group of actors who in a single television season have swept all five major TV awards: the Emmys, Golden Globes, SAG Awards, Critics Choice Awards and Television Critics Association Awards.

Over the summer, Smart worked alongside Brad Pitt and Margot Robbie on Academy Award®-winning director Damien Chazelle’s feature film BABYLON. Paramount is planning a platform release, opening limitedly in December 2022, before going wide.

Next, she will be seen in the feature film WILDFLOWER starring alongside Kiernan Shipka, Alexandra Daddario and Charlie Plummer.

In 2019, Smart received accolades for her role as Special Agent Laurie Blake acting alongside Regina King and Jeremy Irons in the HBO series WATCHMEN, based on the original groundbreaking graphic novel of the same name. She won the 2020 Critics Choice Award and received a 2020 Emmy nomination for Supporting Actress in a Drama for this performance.

Some of her notable film credits include SUPER INTELLIGENCE, THE ACCOUNTANT, GARDEN STATE, SWEET HOME ALABAMA, A SIMPLE FAVOR, GUINEVERE (for which she received an Independent Spirit Award nomination), THE KID, FLASHPOINT, BRINGING DOWN THE HOUSE, HOPE SPRINGS, I HEART HUCKABEES and YOUTH IN REVOLT.

Her television credits include LEGION; FARGO; 24; SAMANTHA, WHO?; DIRTY JOHN; STYLE AND SUBSTANCE; HIGH SOCIETY; THE DISTRICT; HARRY’S LAW and a two-time Emmy-winning guest appearance on FRASIER.

On stage, Smart was nominated in 1981 for a Drama Desk Award for LAST SUMMER at Bluefish Cove and in 2000 for a Tony Award for Best Actress for her starring role on Broadway opposite Nathan Lane in THE MAN WHO CAME TO DINNER. In 2016, she received a Grammy nomination for Best Spoken Word Album for her work on PATIENCE AND SARAH, opposite Grammy Hall of Famer Janis Ian.

Over the years, Smart has lent her support to several philanthropic and research causes. Her main focuses have been raising awareness and funds and supporting research for Alzheimer's disease, juvenile diabetes and brain cancer.

 

HANNAH EINBINDER

Hannah Einbinder has quickly established herself as a highly sought-after actress and comedian. She can be seen starring in the HBO Max comedy series HACKS, which has earned her awards recognition including nominations for “Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series” at the 73rd Primetime Emmy Awards, “Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series” at the Critics Choice Awards, “Best Supporting Actress in a Streaming Series, Comedy” at the HCA TV Awards, “Outstanding Performance by a Cast (or Ensemble) in a Comedy Series” at the SAG Awards, and “Comedy Supporting Actress” at the Gold Derby Awards.

Though the series marks Einbinder’s first major television role, she is no stranger to the comedy world and has owned the stage as a stand-up comedian at venues and festivals around the country. She was named one of Variety’s 10 Comics to Watch for 2021, a 2019 New Face of Comedy at Montreal’s prestigious Just For Laughs comedy festival, and was also highlighted as one of Vulture’s Comics to Watch of 2019. Einbinder has opened for Chelsea Handler, Dana Gould, Demetri Martin and Reggie Watts, to name a few.

CARL CLEMONS-HOPKINS

Carl Clemons-Hopkins gained national popularity with their breakout performance as Marcus on HBO Max’s HACKS. Carl’s performance earned them an Emmy nomination in the “Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series” category. On the big screen, Carl can be seen in Jordan Peele’s CANDYMAN for Universal. They recently wrapped filming Kristin Gore’s film THE BEANIE BUBBLE for Apple TV+ and Zach Braff's independent film THE MATTACHINE FAMILY. Other credits include a recurring role on NBC’s CHICAGO MED. On stage, Carl has performed in the Chicago production of HAMILTON as Aaron Burr and George Washington and made his Steppenwolf Theatre premiere in FOR THE LAST TIME.