Jean Smart's Humble Screen Debut as 'Woman Bather'

Jean Smart, a recent Emmy history-maker for winning an award for every season of her show, started her screen career in a less glamorous role. Her debut was in the 1979 TV movie 'Before and After,' where she was credited simply as 'Woman Bather.'

The film, which aired on ABC, starred Patty Duke and featured Betty White in a controversial role as a weight-loss guru. It depicted a housewife's struggles after being rejected for gaining weight, a theme now widely regarded as fatphobic.

While 'Before and After' is largely forgotten, its portrayal of body image issues is uncomfortable by today's standards. Smart's appearance was brief, a minor part in one of the film's initial scenes, making her face difficult to discern but her voice recognizable.