Image credits: Wikimedia Commons
Yeardley Smith
July 3, 1964
Paris, France
62 Years Old
Cancer
Who Is Yeardley Smith?
Yeardley Smith is an American actress and voice artist, globally recognized for her distinctive vocal work. Her versatile career extends from Broadway to film and television, where she consistently delivers memorable performances.
Her breakout role came in 1987 when she began voicing Lisa Simpson on The Tracey Ullman Show shorts, a part she carried into the iconic animated series The Simpsons. This enduring performance earned her a Primetime Emmy Award in 1992 and cemented her status in popular culture.
Early Life and Education
A family focus marked Martha Maria Yeardley Smith's early years, born in Paris, France, before moving to Washington, D.C., at age two. Her father, Joseph Smith, was a pioneering obituary editor for The Washington Post, while her mother, Martha Mayor, worked as a paper conservator at the Smithsonian Institution.
Smith pursued her passion for acting, graduating from drama school and undertaking an apprenticeship with the Arena Stage theater group. Her foundational training prepared her for a move to New York City, where she made her Broadway debut in Tom Stoppard’s The Real Thing.
Notable Relationships
A string of high-profile romances has marked Yeardley Smith's personal life. She was married to English-Canadian actor Christopher Grove from 1990 to 1992, and later to Daniel Erickson from 2002 to 2008.
More recently, Smith married retired police detective Daniel Grice in June 2022. The couple met in 2014 when Grice provided security for her during a The Simpsons event in Springfield, Oregon, and they now co-host the true-crime podcast Small Town Dicks.
Career Highlights
Yeardley Smith's animated television career is defined by her enduring role as Lisa Simpson on The Simpsons, where she has voiced the intelligent eight-year-old since 1987. This long-running performance earned her a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Voice-Over Performance in 1992.
Beyond Springfield, Smith co-founded Paperclip Ltd., a production company, and serves as co-host and co-producer of the acclaimed true-crime podcast Small Town Dicks. This venture expands her influence into a new media landscape, reaching millions of listeners with in-depth investigations.
Signature Quote
“I'd like to think I'm pretty tough on the course, but I also like to teach everybody that you can smile and be happy and still be really good at something you do.”