Jean Smart is finally back on Broadway, and honestly, that’s a big deal. It’s been something like 25 years since she last did a show on stage, and now she’s starring in this one-woman play called Call Me Izzy. It’s running at Studio 54 in New York until mid-August. The official opening night is June 12, but she started performances in late May.
In this play, Jean plays not just one role — she plays eight. Eight different characters, all by herself, in one show. That’s no joke. She even said she was nervous about learning the whole script because it’s long — around 80 pages — and let’s be real, that would freak anyone out. She mentioned it during an interview on Jimmy Kimmel Live! and was pretty honest about how hard it’s been. But you can tell she’s excited, and fans seem excited too. There’s a lot of buzz around this one.
Season 4 of Hacks Goes Deeper and More Emotional
If you’ve been watching Hacks, you probably already know how good Jean is as Deborah Vance. She just has that way of playing tough, sharp characters while also showing their soft side. Season 4 is out now, and this time, the story feels a bit heavier — in a good way. There’s more drama, more tension, and yeah, more honesty between the characters.
There’s also a surprise appearance by Carol Burnett this season, which fans loved. She shows up as herself in a really emotional scene with Jean’s character. It’s the kind of moment that just hits you — especially if you’ve followed their careers for years. Also, we see Ava, Deborah’s writer, getting into some pretty wild relationship stuff. The show’s still funny, but it’s not afraid to go deep this season.
She’s Getting Recognized for Her Work
On top of everything else, Jean recently received the Mary Tyler Moore Visionary Award. That happened at the Variety FYC TV Fest in May 2025. It’s an award given to women who’ve made a strong impact in the world of TV and storytelling. And honestly, Jean totally deserves it. After everything she’s done — and is still doing — it feels like the right time for her to be celebrated in a big way.
She’s always been a little underrated, even though she’s won Emmys and done a lot of amazing work. But now, with all this new attention, it feels like people are really starting to appreciate her more — not just for her talent, but for how she’s stayed grounded and real through all of it.
She’s Been Through a Lot Personally, Too
Something that really makes Jean’s current success feel even more powerful is what she’s gone through health-wise and in her personal life. A couple of years ago, she had heart surgery, and not long after that, she had her appendix taken out. That’s a lot, especially considering how demanding her work is.
And then there’s the fact that she lost her husband, actor Richard Gilliland, back in 2021. He passed away because of a heart condition, and that really shook her. She’s talked a bit about how tough that time was. But even after all that, here she is — doing live theatre, filming new seasons, and staying strong. You can’t help but admire that kind of resilience.
Don't miss out the incredible Jean Smart in 'Call Me Izzy' on Broadway.
— LMN (@stardustinpass) June 1, 2025
From May 24 to August 17 only.
Opening night is June 12. pic.twitter.com/yQwsvXItom
