JessicaGrace Smith
- Actor
- Director
Straight out of drama school Toi Whakaari, Dannevirke-raised Jessica Grace Smith won a starring role in movie Diagnosis: Death, as a young cancer patient investigating ghosts. Smith rejoined the film's director Jason Stutter, by co-starring in his black comedy Edwin: My Life as a Koont. She then headed to Australia, where she scored an ongoing part in Aussie soap Home and Away. In 2019, Smith played the role of a young Cheryl West on Westside She went on to play an obedient pastor’s daughter in 2024 TV drama Testify. Smith has also directed for the screen, including award-winning short film Everybody Else is Taken.
Screenography
Awards
2018 International FICTS Festival (Spain)
Nominated for Festival Award: Everybody Else is Taken
2017 Palm Springs International ShortFest (United States)
Youth Jury Award: Everybody Else is Taken
“I guess you could say I had a bit of an epiphany. I did very well at law school and got top grades, but life is too short and I wanted a job I loved. ”
More information
Hawke's Bay Today interview, October 2020
Jessica Grace Smith on playing young Cheryl West on Westside, Woman's Day, July 2019
Westside welcomes Jessica Grace Smith, The NZ Herald, February 2019
Jessica Grace Smith on her short film Everybody Else is Taken, Stuff, August 2015
Jessica Grace Smith's Home and Away character, Back to the Bay fansite