Jessica Grace Smith
Jessica Grace Smith | |
|---|---|
| Born | 18 February 1985 Ōtorohanga, New Zealand |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 2009–present |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 1 |
Jessica Grace Smith (born 18 February 1985) is a New Zealand actress, writer and director.[1]
Early life
Smith grew up in Dannevirke, but she moved to Wellington in 2007 to study at Toi Whakaari: New Zealand Drama School.[2] She graduated in 2009 with a Bachelor in Performing Arts (Acting).[3]
Career
Smith appeared as Diona in the miniseries Spartacus: Gods of the Arena,[4] and feature films Diagnosis: Death, Sione's 2: Unfinished Business,[4] and The Devil's Rock. She later moved to Australia, where she spent three years attending auditions. Shortly before a planned move to Los Angeles, Smith unsuccessfully auditioned for the role of Phoebe Nicholson in Home and Away, before she was offered the role of Denny Miller by the producers.[4]
Working with cinematographer Jessica Charlton, Grace Smith wrote and directed Flip (2019), a short film in the Kiwi tradition of "man alone" stories, but featuring a female protagonist.
In 2024, Smith starred in Testify as Emmaline Jacobson.[2]
Personal life
Smith has been in a relationship with fellow actor Benedict Wall since 2010.[5] They announced their engagement in November 2019,[6] and they were married at Wall's father's house in The Wairarapa on 8 February 2020.[2][7] They have one child, a son, born in 2022.[2]
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Blue Water High | Stacey | 1 episode |
| 2010 | Ben and Jeremy's Big Road Trip | Jess | TV film |
| 2011 | The Almighty Johnsons | Just Friends Woman | Episode: "It's Kind of a Birthday Present" |
| 2011 | Spartacus: Gods of the Arena | Diona | TV miniseries |
| 2013 | Reef Doctors | Becky | 1 episode |
| 2014–2015 | Home and Away | Denny Miller | Regular role |
| 2019 | Ms Fisher's Modern Murder Mysteries | Prof. Elaine Montgomery | Episode: "Space for Murder" |
| 2019–2020 | Westside | Cheryl West | 18 episodes |
| 2020 | Bondi Slayer | Jess | Episode: "Home and a Slay" |
| 2021 | Real Life Fights | Emily | Episode: "L.A.I.D." |
| Power Rangers Dino Fury | Coach Bella | Season 1 (Episode 12: "Super Hotshot") | |
| 2022 | My Life Is Murder | Rebecca | 1 episode |
| 2024 | Testify | Emmaline Jacobson | Series regular |
Film appearances
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | The Paragon | Emily | |
| 2022 | Frozen Moments | Candice | |
| 2019 | Flip | Flip | Short |
| 2016 | Best Mates | Fleur | Short |
| 2013 | Edwin: My Life as a Koont | Lucy Mason | |
| 2012 | Sione's 2: Unfinished Business | Lilith | |
| 2011 | The Devil's Rock | Nicole | |
| 2009 | Diagnosis: Death | Juliet Reid |
References
- ^ "Home and Away's Jessica Grace Smith and Benedict Wall wed". www.msn.com. MSN. Retrieved 30 April 2020.
- ^ a b c d Stephenson, Sharon (1 March 2024). "Aroha: 'It's about trying to make the other person's life better'". The Post. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
- ^ "Graduate". www.toiwhakaari.ac.nz. Retrieved 9 August 2021.
- ^ a b c Harvey, Kerry (26 July 2014). "Home & Away star's love dilemma". Stuff. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
- ^ McConnochie, Trudie (2 October 2014). "Jessica Grace Smith: Home and totally away!". New Idea NZ. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
- ^ McLachlan, Marilynn (10 November 2019). "Westside actress Jessica Grace Smith's romantic beachside proposal". Woman's Day. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
- ^ "Home and Away stars Jessica Grace Smith and Benedict Wall tie the knot after 10 years together". TV Week. 3 March 2020. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
External links