Martha Smith was born on October 16, 1952 in Cleveland, Ohio, United States, is Actress, Producer. 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 (1976), 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), which marked her professional singing/dancing debut.During the actors strike of 1980, Martha produced and starred in an award-winning production of "Vanities", co-starring with Rita Wilson (wife of Tom Hanks). More TV appearances followed (Happy Days (1974), Taxi (1978), Dallas (1978), Fantasy Island (1977) and a special guest-starring role on a one-hour episode of Love, Sidney (1981) (as Tony Randall's love interest). Martha then went on to star as a regular on NBC's soap opera Days of Our Lives (1965). One month after leaving "Days", she landed the "Scarecrow" pilot, and spent the next four years on the popular series. Martha was co-creator and writer of the board game "Beverly Hills - a Game of Wealth & Status", a "Monopoloy"-type game that was a satire of the community she has lived in for over 20 years.In 1987, she was included in the photo exhibit (and book) "The World's Most Beautiful Faces" with such luminaries as Brooke Shields and Linda Evangelista. As a member of various improv groups in the 1990s, Martha used her writing skills to pen comedic sketches for live performances in L.A. clubs. In 1996, she co-authored a non-fiction book entitled, "Downdating". The late 1990s saw Martha dabbling in production capacities on several indie films. In 1997, she and a partner wrote a futuristic socio-political screenplay ("Phoenix File"). Martha studied for three years at UCLA in production, screenwriting and language, and speaks French and Italian fluently. She has also negotiated real-estate deals for a selective clientèle in the L.A. estates market. In 1999, she began to sing again in local L.A. clubs, everything from French "chansons" to R&B duets. Then, on May 7, 2000, she married her singing partner, Keith England (formerly of The Allman Brothers Band, Montrose, The Tubes, among others). Keith also works in post-production and sings with his band as well as in various Film & TV projects. The couple resides happily in Beverly Hills. In 2000, Martha ventured back into acting and can be seen next in Netflix's upcoming comedy film, "A Futile & Stupid Gesture".
Martha Smith is a member of Actress
Does Martha Smith Dead or Alive?
As per our current Database, Martha Smith is still alive (as per Wikipedia, Last update: May 10, 2020).
🎂 Martha Smith - Age, Bio, Faces and Birthday
Currently, Martha Smith is 72 years, 0 months and 17 days old. Martha Smith will celebrate 73rd birthday on a Thursday 16th of October 2025. Below we countdown to Martha Smith upcoming birthday.
Popular As |
Martha Smith |
Occupation |
Actress |
Age |
72 years old |
Zodiac Sign |
Scorpio |
Born |
October 16, 1952 ( Cleveland, Ohio, United States) |
Birthday |
October 16 |
Town/City |
Cleveland, Ohio, United States |
Nationality |
United States |
🌙 Zodiac
Martha Smith’s zodiac sign is Scorpio. According to astrologers, Scorpio-born are passionate and assertive people. They are determined and decisive, and will research until they find out the truth. Scorpio is a great leader, always aware of the situation and also features prominently in resourcefulness. Scorpio is a Water sign and lives to experience and express emotions. Although emotions are very important for Scorpio, they manifest them differently than other water signs. In any case, you can be sure that the Scorpio will keep your secrets, whatever they may be.
🌙 Chinese Zodiac Signs
Martha Smith was born in the Year of the Dragon. A powerful sign, those born under the Chinese Zodiac sign of the Dragon are energetic and warm-hearted, charismatic, lucky at love and egotistic. They’re natural born leaders, good at giving orders and doing what’s necessary to remain on top. Compatible with Monkey and Rat.
Biography/Timeline
1973
In July 1973, Smith was selected as Playboy magazine's Playmate of the Month. Her centerfold feature was photographed by Pompeo Posar.
1976
Smith began her career in television commercials. In 1976, Smith started acting in small roles in television series, including Quincy, M.E., Charlie's Angels, Happy Days, and Taxi.
1977
Smith is known to have been married twice, first to Mel Blanc's son Noel from 1977 to 1986, and then to jazz musician Keith England, beginning in May 2000. She has no children from either marriage.
1978
Smith's first acting role in a feature-length film was in National Lampoon's Animal House, directed by John Landis and released in 1978, as sorority girl Barbara "Babs" Jansen. In 2008, Smith recalled her experience working on the 1978 comedy classic: "Having just returned from the Chicago reunion event at Hollywood Boulevard, I can say it's never ceased to astonish me just how deeply this movie has carved itself into the American psyche. It's hard to know which is more impressive: the AFI Top 100 Funniest Films List, the induction into the Library of Congress National Film Registry or my personal favorite accolade -- the parody issue of Mad Magazine."
1983
As a television Actress, Smith is best known for her regular cast role as Agent Francine Desmond, on the CBS adventure series Scarecrow and Mrs. King appearing for all four seasons from 1983 to 1987, with Kate Jackson and Bruce Boxleitner. She is also known for her role in 1982 as Sandy Horton on the NBC soap opera series Days of Our Lives.
1995
Smith has, more recently, been a full-time real estate broker/agent to a select, high-end clientele, largely in Beverly Hills and Hollywood Hills areas for Keller Williams Realty International. She had begun her real estate career there in 1995, after spending the previous decades in the entertainment industry. She has operated as an exclusive, service-oriented boutique-style real estate Service agent within the broader framework of the Keller Williams branded environment.
2006
After the turn of the 21st century, Smith's acting appearances became more sporadic. Among her most recent film appearances were in the 2006 film Loveless in Los Angeles, a romantic comedy movie that took place behind the scenes of a reality dating show, and a featured role, that of Kitty Carloff, in the 2007 film The Seduction of Dr. Fugazzi, which also starred Faye Dunaway.
Martha Smith trend