Allison Smith

Allison Smith (born December 9, 1969) is an American actress known for her work on television and Broadway. Smith was born in New York City, and moved to Waldwick, New Jersey. She began acting when she was a pre-teenager, and one of her first roles was as a young Eva Peron in a 1981 biopic. While in the fourth grade at her New Jersey elementary, she auditioned for the school play and was chosen by her classmates as the soloist. Her small town was overwhelmed by her voice and she was encouraged to pursue parts in local productions. She played Marta in The Sound of Music and Baby June in Gypsy. From 1984 to 1989 she co-starred in the sitcom Kate and Allie, and this remains her best-known work. In November 1979, she ventured into Manhattan for an open call for replacements for the children’s chorus for the original Broadway production of Evita. She was hired. It was her first professional job. At that same time, there were highly publicized open call auditions for the lead role in the Broadway musical Annie. Smith also acted on Broadway, appearing as Little Orphan Annie. She was the longest-running and youngest star of a Broadway musical at that time and played the role to rave reviews for nearly 3 years.