Allison Smith (actress)

Allison Smith (born December 9, 1969) is an American actress, singer, writer and director, best known for her work on television as Mallory O'Brien in Aaron Sorkin's Emmy Award-winning NBC drama The West Wing and for starring on Broadway in the title role Annie.[1][2] She also played the role of Jennie Lowell on the 1980s Emmy Award winning sitcom Kate & Allie.[3] In addition to starring in Annie, Smith has also appeared on stage in a host of other roles, including a part in the original Broadway production of Evita (alongside Patti Lupone and Mandy Patinkin), a starring role in the Los Angeles premiere production of David Mamet's Oleanna, and supporting roles in Peter Parnell's QED (opposite Alan Alda), and the musical The Education Of Randy Newman, in which she played Randy Newman's first wife.[4][5] Smith, who has appeared in over 100 television episodes, received rave reviews for her chilling performance in the pilot of The Closer.

In addition to her creative work, Smith, who is married with two children, volunteers with the non-profit Save The Children, and has helped to build multiple schools in Africa and the Caribbean.[citation needed]