Jean Smart was born on September 13, 1951 in Seattle, Washington. She graduated from Ballard High School where she acquired her interest in acting. Previously, she lent her voice to Kim Possible and starred on the show Designing Women. Her film credits included Bringing Down the House, The Kid, Sweet Home Alabama and Garden State. More over, she is part of the thriller series 24 where she plays Martha Logan. Martha Logan is the former First Lady of the United States who was married to President Charles Logan. Prior to getting involved in politics, she was a member of the Santa Barbara Museum Board of Trustees. Previously, she suffered from a mental illness and was confined to a mental institution in Salem, Oregon.