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Biography

Kellita Smith, the eldest of two children, was born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1969. Her father, a military man, was sent to Vietnam when she was still a baby; he was away from home for 18 months. In 1972, Kellita's parents ended their marriage, a short time after her father's return from duty. After the divorce, Kellita and her brother Eric moved to Oakland, California to live with their mother, Honey. Kellita and her brother attended the Oakland Community Learning Center, a historical educational facility founded by the Black Panthers. In 1989, Kellita earned a degree in political science from Santa Rosa Junior College. After taking early jobs as a saleswoman and an administrative assistant, Kellita enrolled in an acting workshop. In 1990, Kellita landed a part in the play Tell It Like It Tiz. She toured with the play and applied her skills in other productions before accepting her first television role on Living Single in 1993. Kellita went on to appear in other notable African-American sitcoms after her big break in television; two of her recurring roles were Tracy on Martin, in 1994 and 1995, and Tonya on Sister, Sister in 1995. In 1995, Kellita Smith was only two years into her long stint of television appearances. While juggling her guest appearances on Martin and Sister, Sister, she was offered her first feature film role in the movie The Crossing Guard. The film starred Jack Nicholson and Robin Wright Penn, and was directed by Sean Penn. In the late '90s, Kellita returned to television, with more guest appearances on shows such as Malcolm & Eddie in 1997, and The Jamie Foxx Show, from 1997 to 1999. In 2000, Kellita returned to the big screen and appeared in two films: Retiring Tatiana and Kingdom Come (starring Whoopi Goldberg). Keeping in line with her work on television, both films had mostly African-American casts. In 2001, Kellita Smith auditioned for The Bernie Mac Show, after over seven years of minor roles in the television market. She won the role of Wanda, the title character's wife, and apparently beat out Robin Givens for the part. Although the series had been pitched to NBC, CBS, ABC, and the WB, it was the FOX network that picked it up for production. After a three-year hiatus, Kellita returned to film in 2004's Hair Show. In 2005, she found time to take roles in Fair Game, King's Ransom and Roll Bounce. Kellita currently resides in Los Angeles and continues to work on The Bernie Mac Show -- her work has garnered her three Image Award nominations (in 2003, 2004 and 2005) and a BET nod in 2005, all as Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series. The actress also makes a point of participating in a play every summer. Off the set, Kellita spends her time working out with a rigorous routine that includes fencing, spinning, Pilates, and tae kwon do. In the future, Kellita hopes to work in action films.