Dwan Smith facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dwan Smith
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| Born | January 22, 1944 Jackson, Tennessee, U.S.
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| Occupation |
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| Years active | 1970–2001 |
| Known for | Deloris – Sparkle |
| Spouse(s) |
Nathaniel Fortier
(m. 1978) |
| Children | 3 |
Dwan Smith, born on January 22, 1944, is an American actress, singer, and model. She is well-known for playing Delores Williams in the 1976 musical movie Sparkle.
Contents
About Dwan Smith
Early Life and Education
Dwan Smith was born in Jackson, Tennessee. She was one of four children. She attended the University of Wisconsin. After finishing college in 1966, Smith moved to Los Angeles, California. Before becoming an actress, she taught speech therapy to young children.
In 1969, Smith won a beauty contest called "Ms Zodiac of 1969" in Hollywood, California. Later, in 1985, she won the title of "Mrs. California."
Acting Career Highlights
Dwan Smith started her acting career in 1972. Her first television appearance was on the series Adam-12. She then appeared in TV movies like A Very Missing Person and The Couple Takes a Wife.
She also made regular appearances on many popular TV shows. These included Emergency!, Room 222, Sanford & Son, Ellery Queen, Owen Marshall: Counselor at Law, Barnaby Jones, The Jeffersons, Joe Forrester, and Police Story.
Starring in Sparkle
In 1975, Smith got her most famous role as Delores Williams in the musical drama Sparkle. The movie was released in April 1976. She starred alongside singer-actresses Irene Cara and Lonette McKee. They played her sisters, Sparkle and Sister.
Even though her character, Delores, was the middle sister, Dwan Smith was older than her on-screen sisters. She was 31 at the time, ten years older than Lonette McKee and fourteen years older than Irene Cara. In the film, Smith sang backing vocals for songs written by Curtis Mayfield. These songs included "Something He Can Feel," "Hooked On Your Love," and "Jump."
Later Roles
After Sparkle, Dwan Smith continued to act in films. She appeared in Cop on the Beat and Brothers, where she acted with Bernie Casey. She also had roles in The Concorde... Airport '79 and Hell Squad.
From 1987 to 1989, she played Dr. Irma Foster on the TV soap opera General Hospital. After this, she appeared less often in TV and movies. Her later roles included MP Da Last Don (1998), In The Wake (2000), and House Party 4: Down to the Last Minute (2001). Her role as Mrs. Dixon in House Party 4 was her last known acting role.
Personal Life
Dwan Smith has been married two times and has three children. In August 1978, she married Nathaniel Fortier.
