Brooke Smith, the actress famous for her unforgettable role in the 1991 horror classic The Silence of the Lambs, appeared virtually unrecognizable during a rare public outing in Los Angeles on her 59th birthday, May 22.
Iconic Role in Horror History
Smith shot to international fame portraying Catherine Martin, the daughter of a U.S. senator who becomes the final victim of the serial killer Jame Gumb, also known as Buffalo Bill (Ted Levine). In the film, Catherine is abducted after attempting to help Gumb load furniture into his van, unaware that he lures, kidnaps, and skins women to create a "woman suit." For the role, Smith gained 25 pounds to fit Gumb's preference for larger victims.
One of the film's most memorable scenes features Catherine trapped at the bottom of a well, with Buffalo Bill uttering the chilling line: "It puts the lotion on its skin or it gets the hose again." Catherine ultimately seizes Gumb's dog, Precious, threatening to harm it unless he releases her. She is rescued by FBI trainee Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster), who tracks down Gumb's lair with the help of the cannibalistic psychiatrist Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins).
Career Highlights and Personal Life
Beyond The Silence of the Lambs, Smith is well known for her role as Dr. Erica Hahn on the ABC medical drama Grey's Anatomy from 2006 to 2008, and as Sheriff Jane Greene on the A&E horror series Bates Motel's fifth season. She has been married to Steve Lubensky since 1999, and the couple has two daughters.
On her birthday, Smith was seen taking her dog for a walk, dressed casually in leisurewear with her hair up and sunglasses. She appeared in great spirits, enjoying the sunny weather.
Reflections on Filming
In a 2021 interview with Den of Geek, Smith revealed that she did not audition for the role of Catherine Martin. "That would never happen now. They would never just hire an unknown actor for such an important part," she said. Director Jonathan Demme brought her in and explained his vision, and Smith had to convince him she would fully commit to the character.
She described the physical challenges of gaining weight for the role: "It was physically exhausting though because of the weight. And after it was done, it was difficult as an actress struggling with how I was supposed to look and getting the weight off. I ate a lot of ice cream and pizza and milkshakes. It sounds amazing to most people but it did put me off that kind of food a little bit."
Smith also admitted that one scene terrified her before filming: when Catherine discovers fingernails in the pit. The script simply said "screams and screams and screams," and she thought, "Oh my God, I don't think I can do that."
Legacy and Controversy
The Silence of the Lambs was only the third film in history to win the top five Academy Awards: Best Actor (Hopkins), Best Actress (Foster), Best Director (Demme), Best Adapted Screenplay (Ted Tally), and Best Picture. However, the film has faced criticism in recent years for its portrayal of Buffalo Bill, which some argue perpetuates homophobic and transphobic stereotypes.
Actor Ted Levine and producer Edward Saxon have expressed regret about the character's depiction. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Levine acknowledged that "there are certain aspects of the movie that don't hold up too well" and that he is now "a lot wiser about transgender issues." Saxon emphasized that Buffalo Bill was intended to be a completely aberrant personality, not representative of the trans or gay community, but admitted they were "not sensitive enough to the legacy of a lot of stereotypes and their ability to harm."
