Kellita Smith

As the no-nonsense, career-oriented wife and mother on "The Bernie Mac Show" (Fox, 2001-06), actress Kellita Smith has more than held her own with the unconventional sitcom's star. Previously a supporting player in movies and recurring guest star on television, Smith landed her role on Bernie Mac's show at the last minute, prompting the comedian to say that she 'stole' the role. Born in Chicago and raised in Oakland, CA, Smith became an actress later in life after realizing the regular nine-to-five grind was not for her. She began her acting career on stage, getting her first break in "Tell It Like It Tiz," which toured the country for two years. She also starred in productions of "No Place to be Somebody" for the KC Theatre Company and "Feelings" for the Hudson Theatre, for which she won a NAACP Theatre Award for Best Supporting Actress in 1996. That same year, the NAACP nominated her for Best Actress for her role in "The Thirteenth Thorn."