Lyndon Smith, Women Who Inspire

Best known for her roles as Natalie on the NBC drama, Parenthood, and as Deidre on the TNT series Public Morals, Lyndon Smith is a talented actor but she's also known for her strong fashion sense which is highlighted on her Instagram account @hellolyndon. We recently chatted with Lyndon about her style inspiration, current wardrobe essentials and advice for those considering a career in acting. 

ALLY: Tell us about yourself.

Lyndon Smith: Hi! I’m Lyndon Smith. I moved to Los Angeles about eight years ago after graduating college with a BFA in Theatre, and I’ve been working as an actor ever since. Mostly television, but a few films along the way. I met my husband on my first pilot and we currently reside in Burbank with his daughter and a handful of furry babies. 

ALLY: Among the people that you have worked with, who do you most admire and why? 

Lyndon Smith: Halle Berry, because I think she might be the most beautiful soul on the planet. Putting aside the fact that she’s next level stunning (seriously, it’s as if someone implanted lights under her skin… I’ve never seen a glow like that), she was one of the kindest people I’ve ever worked with. I recurred on her show “Extant” as Jeffrey Dean Morgan’s daughter, and I remember day one I stepped onto that set with overwhelming nerves. She walked right over to me, took my hand in hers, and said “Let’s go to rehearsal together.” I felt so welcomed and at home immediately. She stuck close to me that day and made sure I was introduced to everyone, cheered for me in my scenes, and created a safe space for me to do my best work. That whole season I watched her like a hawk and learned as much from her as I did in years of theatre school. 

ALLY: Looking back at the last five years what has been your biggest professional accomplishment? 

Lyndon Smith: It’s funny, because what I personally consider to be my biggest professional accomplishment is a pilot that actually never saw the light of day. I’ve been very fortunate in my short career to have worked with some exceptional people and on some great projects, but I was always a co-lead, or a supporting series regular, or a recurring/guest star. However, last year I was finally the lead of a show- a pilot- and I remember being in my trailer and looking down at the call sheet and seeing my name listed first, and I couldn’t help but have a quick happy cry. It was a feeling of accomplishment like none other. And then it didn’t go to series! But none the less, it was a special moment in time.

ALLY: Tell us, where do you get your style inspiration? 

Lyndon Smith: Everywhere! The “Style” explore page on Instagram. I love tangible magazines and get issues of Vogue, Vanity Fair, EW, etc. This might sound crazy but the Aritzia website? (I just love how they style pieces!) I mentally collect these aesthetics from all over and they infuse themselves into my wardrobe. 

ALLY: What are your current wardrobe essentials? 

Lyndon Smith: Silk camisoles, blazers, high rise skinny jeans, and a square-toed sandal. 

ALLY: What advice would you give a friend who is considering becoming an actor? 

Lyndon Smith: First and foremost, everyone has a different timeline, so stop comparing yourself to those around you. Prep! If you’re on your game in auditions, even if you don’t book the part, you did your job and the casting directors or producers will remember you. It’s a smaller world than you think. Do your homework. Look up bios and resumes on casting directors, directors, etc. Make the effort to find common ground. Also, and this may sound silly, but learn and address everyone by name. There are a lot of revolving doors and a lot of faces, and learning names is a really simple way to make a personal connection. And always be (moderately) early!

ALLY: When you're not working what are your favorite things to do? 

Lyndon Smith: Take a pilates class, have lunch with my girlfriends, or hit a thrift shop. I love to pop in my earbuds and treasure hunt. 

ALLY: Favorite quote?

Lyndon Smith: “We have so much to unlearn here.” This hits home for me right now. I thought it simply sounded beautiful when I first heard it in college, but now as I’m a bit older it resonates differently. Knowledge is a powerful thing- certainly a tool- but knowledge is also the enemy of the beginner’s mind. If you are a creative of any kind- actor, artist, entrepreneur- you might recall that when you first started, you followed your instincts. You were resilient, risky, vulnerable yet fearless. Launch yourself heart first, figure it out as you go, make it work! And then something happens as we learn more. We become a bit more calculating, a bit more cerebral. Ultimately, I’d argue that we get in our own way. For me, the idea of trying to “unlearn” that which I’ve absorbed from the world which is weighing me down or not serving me, to get back to that beginner’s mind, that’s the goal.