Photo: StacyD at https://www.flickr.com/people/ctrlaltstacy/ / CC BY 3.0 (source: Wikimedia Commons)
My Take
Phyllis Smith is proof that the best talents are sometimes hiding in plain sight. A Missouri native who worked in casting before stepping in front of the camera, she made Phyllis Vance on The Office feel utterly real, then voiced Sadness in Pixar's Inside Out and quietly stole the whole film. That voice carries a soft, slightly tearful warmth that no one else could fake. I love that her breakthrough came late and from the industry's behind-the-scenes side. She understands actors because she once chose them. To me she is one of the most underrated character performers working.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- Phyllis Smith
- Name (Japanese)
- フィリス・スミス
- Reading
- ふぃりす・すみす
- Born
- August 15, 1949 (age 76)
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Leo / Ox
- Origin
- Lemay, Missouri, United States
- Occupation
- actor / television actor / voice actor / film actor / casting director
2. Background
- University
- University of Missouri–St. Louis
Awards & achievements
- Actor Awards
4. Personality
Motto
Private
6. Links
Frequently asked questions
When was Phyllis Smith born?
Born August 15, 1949 (age 76).
Where is Phyllis Smith from?
Phyllis Smith is from Lemay, Missouri, United States.
What does Phyllis Smith do?
Phyllis Smith works as actor, television actor, voice actor, film actor, casting director.
Actor — see all → · Television actor — see all → · More people from United States →
7. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
- 2026-06-02
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public or unconfirmed items are omitted. English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.