KJ Smith, born Khaneshia JaNea Smith in Tallahassee, Florida, is an American actor who started her on-screen journey back in 2009. Before stepping into the spotlight, KJ Smith pursued higher education at both Florida State University and Florida A&M University, where she studied marketing and journalism—eventually earning her bachelor’s degree and even landing a corporate job. But as things go, life had other plans. In 2009, KJ Smith began exploring her passion for acting, taking on small roles and appearing in short films to build experience.
Early in her career, KJ Smith made guest appearances on well-known shows like “All My Children” (ABC, 1970–2011), and showcased her comedic side with sketch performances on “Conan” (TBS, 2010–21) and “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” (ABC, 2003– ). Over the years, she’s built an impressive resume with numerous guest-starring roles across television. Notably, KJ Smith appeared in the critically acclaimed drama “Queen Sugar” (OWN, 2016–22) and held a recurring role for three seasons on the sitcom “Family Time” (Bounce TV, 2012–20).
Her film work includes a standout performance in the comedy “A Madea Family Funeral” (2019), which helped elevate her visibility. Then came a major breakthrough—KJ Smith landed a starring role in the BET drama series “The Family Business” (2018–22), further solidifying her place in the industry. However, one of her most recognized roles to date has been in the popular BET series “Sistas” (2019– ), a comedy-drama that truly brought KJ Smith into the spotlight.
In 2022, KJ Smith continued expanding her range by playing a recurring character in the prequel series “Power Book III: Raising Kanan” (Starz, 2021– ), showcasing her versatility and cementing her status as a rising talent in television. With each role, KJ Smith continues to grow her impact in the entertainment world.
So, when it comes to Kj Smith’s filmography, there are a couple of standout points worth mentioning. Kj Smith has appeared in several movies over the years, and among them, one really shines in terms of critical reception. The highest rated movie featuring Kj Smith is Fatal Affair, released in 2020—a thriller that seemed to resonate well with both audiences and critics alike. It definitely stands out as a strong point in Kj Smith’s career so far.
On the flip side, not every project hits the same high notes. The lowest rated film associated with Kj Smith is Tyler Perry’s A Madea Family Funeral, which came out in 2019. While it had its fans, especially within the Madea franchise community, it didn’t receive the same level of acclaim overall. Still, being part of such a widely recognized series is no small feat.
All in all, Kj Smith continues to build a diverse portfolio, and moments like Fatal Affair show just how impactful Kj Smith can be on screen.