Martha Smith

Martha Smith

  • Birthday: 1953-10-16
  • Place of birth: Cleveland, Ohio, USA

Biography

Out of her hundreds of TV appearances, Martha Smith is perhaps best known as "Francine Desmond", intelligence agent (and nemesis of star Kate Jackson) on the CBS series "Scarecrow and Mrs. King" (1983). Raised in Farmington, MI, Martha--an honor student with a mention in "Who's Who of American Students"--enrolled in Michigan State University at 17 to study psychology. She soon became an in-demand model and spokeswoman, whose travel demands uprooted her from her studies. She was "discovered" by a scout for "Playboy" magazine, selected as a centerfold (Miss July 1973) and promptly sent back on the road on press junkets. That road led to California. With the support of Universal Studios Contract Department, Martha honed her thespian skills in workshops while appearing in featured TV roles ("How the West Was Won" (1978), "Quincy M.E." (1976), "Charlie's Angels" (1976), etc.). Her first major film role was in the comedy blockbuster Animal House (1978), where her "Barbara 'Babs' Jansen" character, a devious cheerleader, was arch-rival to John Belushi's "Bluto". Shortly after, she shared star billing with Debbie Allen in the CBS pilot Ebony, Ivory and Jade (1979) (TV), which marked her professional singing/dancing debut.

Filmography

Ebony, Ivory and Jade

1979

As Maggie 'Ivory' David

Hotel

2003

As Mrs. Moyer

The Seduction of Dr. Fugazzi

2009

As Kitty Carloff

Blood Link

1982

As Hedwig

Alex and the Doberman Gang

1980

As Susan Hamilton

Where Are They Now?: A Delta Alumni Update

2003

As Barbara 'Babs' Jensen

Animal House

1978

As Barbara Sue "Babs" Jansen

The Winds of Autumn

1976

As Maydell's Girl

To the Moon, Alice

1991

As Heather Morgan

Broadcast News

1987

As Aaron's Soundwoman

A Futile and Stupid Gesture

2018

As Tour Guide

keyboard_arrow_up