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The Unexpected Family Dynamic: Inside Jean Smart's Life With Her Two Sons, Connor And Forrest

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Few Hollywood legends have captured the public's heart quite like Jean Smart, the celebrated actress whose career resurgence with hits like Hacks has brought her private life into the spotlight once more. As of December 2025, fans are increasingly curious about the two people she holds dearest: her children. Their story is a powerful, modern tale of love, adoption, and acceptance that goes far beyond typical celebrity family narratives.

The Emmy-winning star, who tragically lost her husband and co-star Richard Gilliland in 2021, has maintained a unique and close-knit family dynamic. Living with two sons who span a two-decade age gap—one in his mid-thirties and one in his mid-teens—Smart has openly discussed the "different dynamic" in her household, navigating everything from adult career issues to the challenges of adolescence, all while grieving the loss of her beloved partner. This is the complete, updated look at Jean Smart's children and the inspiring family they have built.

Jean Smart: Biography and Professional Milestones

Jean Elizabeth Smart has had one of the most remarkable and enduring careers in American television and theatre. Her professional journey is defined by a rare ability to seamlessly transition between comedic and dramatic roles, earning her a place among the most decorated actresses of her generation.

  • Full Name: Jean Elizabeth Smart
  • Date of Birth: September 13, 1951
  • Age (as of late 2025): 74
  • Place of Birth: Seattle, Washington, U.S.
  • Spouse: Richard Gilliland (m. 1987; died 2021)
  • Children: Connor Douglas Gilliland and Forrest Gilliland
  • Education: Ballard High School; University of Washington Professional Actors Training Program
  • Breakthrough Role: Charlene Frazier Stillfield on the CBS sitcom Designing Women (1986–1991)
  • Notable Awards & Accolades:
    • Seven Primetime Emmy Awards (a historic achievement)
    • Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy (*Hacks*)
    • Critics' Choice Television Award
    • Screen Actors Guild Award
    • Tony Award Nomination (for *The Man Who Came to Dinner*)
  • Recent Critical Success: Deborah Vance in the HBO Max series Hacks (2021–Present), which earned her multiple major awards.

Meet Connor Douglas Gilliland: The Eldest Son

Connor Douglas Gilliland is Jean Smart's first child and biological son with her late husband, actor Richard Gilliland. Born in October 1989, Connor has largely maintained a life out of the intense Hollywood spotlight, though he has appeared alongside his mother at various public events over the years.

A Private Life Away From the Camera

Connor was born shortly after Smart's rise to fame on Designing Women. Unlike his parents, he has not pursued a career in acting, choosing instead to forge his own path. This desire for privacy is a common thread among the children of high-profile celebrities, allowing him a degree of normalcy away from the paparazzi and tabloid scrutiny. As of late 2025, Connor is approximately 36 years old.

The Impact of Richard Gilliland's Death

The loss of his father, Richard Gilliland, in March 2021 was a profound moment for the family. Richard and Jean Smart had one of the most enduring marriages in Hollywood, having met on the set of Designing Women. Connor, as the older son, has been a key source of support for his mother and younger brother as they navigate life without Richard. Jean Smart has spoken about the challenge of balancing the needs of her adult son and her teenage son following the tragedy, noting the vastly different issues they face.

Forrest Gilliland: The Story of Adoption and Acceptance

Jean Smart's youngest child, Forrest Gilliland, is the centerpiece of the family's most personal and heartwarming story. Forrest was adopted by Jean and Richard from China in 2009. This adoption process was a deeply desired journey for the couple, and it completed their family unit.

From Bonnie Kathleen to Forrest: A Journey of Self-Discovery

The most recent and significant update regarding Jean Smart's youngest child is their journey of self-discovery and transition. Forrest was originally adopted under the name Bonnie Kathleen Gilliland. However, in a beautiful display of unconditional parental love and support, Forrest is now known as a son and uses the name Forrest Gilliland.

This news, which has emerged in recent years, highlights the private, yet profoundly supportive, nature of the Smart-Gilliland family. The shift in name and identity is a testament to the open environment Jean Smart has fostered for her children. A 2021 report noted that the youngest child had adopted a "new name," and later sources confirmed the name Forrest and the transgender identity.

The Teenage Years and the Age Gap Dynamic

Born around 2008, Forrest is approximately 16 years old as of late 2025. Jean Smart has publicly acknowledged the unique dynamic of parenting a teenager and an adult simultaneously. The difference in age between Connor and Forrest—about 20 years—means the family is navigating two entirely different stages of life at once. This dynamic, while challenging, has only served to strengthen the bond between the siblings and their mother, especially since the passing of Richard Gilliland.

Forrest has occasionally accompanied their mother to major Hollywood events, including the 2021 Emmys, where Jean Smart won for her acclaimed performance in Hacks. These appearances offer a rare glimpse into the close relationship between the mother and her younger son.

The Legacy of Richard Gilliland and the Future of the Family

The core of the Smart-Gilliland family is the enduring love between Jean and her late husband, Richard Gilliland. Their marriage of 34 years began after they met on the set of the iconic Designing Women, a classic Hollywood romance that has become a part of Jean Smart's public narrative. Richard Gilliland’s death in 2021 left a void, but also a deep legacy of family values and devotion that continues to shape the lives of Connor and Forrest.

A Mother's Dedication to Her Sons

Jean Smart's career is currently at an all-time high, but she has consistently prioritized her role as a mother. She has often spoken about the importance of family, especially in the wake of her husband’s passing. Her dedication to providing a loving, stable, and accepting home for both Connor and Forrest is a powerful message to fans and a key part of her personal story.

She continues to balance her demanding roles in projects like Hacks with her responsibilities at home, demonstrating the resilience and strength that fans admire. The story of Jean Smart and her children, Connor Douglas and Forrest Gilliland, is a beautiful example of a modern family thriving through change, loss, and the unwavering power of love.

Topical Entities and LSI Keywords:

  • Richard Gilliland
  • Connor Douglas Gilliland
  • Forrest Gilliland
  • Bonnie Kathleen Gilliland (former name)
  • Jean Smart family life
  • Adoption from China
  • Transgender son
  • Designing Women cast
  • Hacks Emmy winner
  • Frasier guest role
  • Deborah Vance (Hacks character)
  • Hollywood marriages
  • Celebrity parenting
  • Age gap siblings
  • Seattle native
jean smart children
jean smart children

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