Kellita Smith

Smith began her career as a model before moving into acting. Her stage work includes a regional production of Tell It Like It Tiz, as well as Los Angeles productions of No Place to Be Somebody, Feelings, The Thirteenth Thorn, and One Woman Two Lives. For Feelings, she won an NAACP Theatre Award for Best Supporting Actress in 1996, and she received another NAACP Theatre Award nomination for Best Actress for The Thirteenth Thorn.

On television, Smith debuted in an episode of In Living Color and went on to guest-star in Living Single, Moesha, 3rd Rock from the Sun, The Parkers, and NYPD Blue. She held recurring roles in Martin, Sister, Sister, and Malcolm & Eddie, and co-starred on The Jamie Foxx Show from 1997 to 1999. In 2001, she was cast opposite Bernie Mac in the Fox sitcom The Bernie Mac Show, playing Wanda McCullough for five seasons and earning four NAACP Image Award nominations. In film, she co-starred with Mo'Nique in Hair Show (2004) and appeared in Fair Game, King's Ransom, Roll Bounce, and Three Can Play That Game.

Returning to television in 2012 as First Lady Katherine Johnson on The First Family, Smith later took the role of Roberta Warren on the Syfy series Z Nation, which led to an appearance in Sharknado 3: Oh Hell No! in 2015. She then joined the Bounce TV sitcom In the Cut as Cheryl, the new owner of a beauty salon, beginning in season two. The show has continued for multiple seasons, with a sixth season premiering on April 1, 2020.