Connor Douglas Gilliland is the son of famous Hollywood actors Jean Smart and the late Richard Gilliland. Unlike many children born into celebrity families, Connor has chosen to live a quiet and private life away from the spotlight. While his parents built successful careers in television and film, Connor decided on a different path, staying out of the public eye and keeping his personal life completely private.
Detailed Bio Table
| Full Name | Connor Douglas Gilliland |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | October 25, 1989 |
| Age | 35 years old (as of 2025) |
| Place of Birth | Los Angeles, California, USA |
| Zodiac Sign | Scorpio |
| Nationality | American |
| Mother | Jean Smart (Emmy-winning actress) |
| Father | Richard Gilliland (late actor) |
| Siblings | Forrest Gilliland (younger brother, adopted) |
| Height | Approximately 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm) |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Eye Color | Blue |
| Known For | Son of Jean Smart and Richard Gilliland |
| Social Media | No public accounts |
Early Life and Family Background
Connor Douglas Gilliland was born on October 25, 1989, in Los Angeles, California. He came into the world just two years after his parents, Jean Smart and Richard Gilliland, got married in 1987. His parents met while working together on the popular television series “Designing Women”, where they both had roles.
Growing up in Los Angeles meant that Connor was surrounded by the entertainment world from the very beginning. However, his parents worked hard to give him a normal childhood despite their fame. They protected him from too much public attention and tried to keep family life as regular as possible.
Jean Smart has talked about the difficulties she faced during her pregnancy with Connor. She was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when she was just 13 years old. During her pregnancy, she had to carefully watch her blood sugar levels to make sure Connor would develop properly and stay healthy. This was a challenging time, but everything worked out well, and Connor was born healthy.
Growing Up in a Hollywood Family
Being the son of two working actors meant that Connor spent time on film sets from a young age. He watched his parents work and learned about acting and filmmaking. Even as a young child, he showed a serious and mature personality that was different from other kids his age.
Jean Smart once shared a story about bringing young Connor to a film set when he was only about three years old. He would sit quietly in a director’s chair, wearing headphones, and pay attention to the filming process. This shows that Connor understood the world his parents worked in, even though he was very young.
However, even though he grew up around cameras and famous people, Connor never seemed interested in becoming an actor himself. Instead, he developed a preference for privacy and a quiet lifestyle, which is very different from the public lives his parents led.
Parents: Jean Smart and Richard Gilliland
Connor’s mother, Jean Smart, is an award-winning actress who has won multiple Emmy Awards. She became famous for her role as Charlene Frazier Stillfield in the television series “Designing Women” from 1986 to 1991. After that, she continued to have a successful career with roles in shows like “Frasier,” “24,” “Fargo,” “Watchmen,” and most recently, “Hacks,” which has brought her even more recognition and awards.
Jean Smart has been praised throughout her career for being able to play both comedy and drama roles. She is known for playing strong, independent women characters. Her success in recent years, especially with “Hacks,” has proven that talented actresses can continue to have amazing careers even later in life.
Connor’s father, Richard Gilliland, was also a respected actor. He was born on January 23, 1950, in Fort Worth, Texas. Richard was best known for playing J.D. Shackleford on “Designing Women.” He also appeared in many other television shows throughout his career, including “The Waltons,” “Thirtysomething”, “Party of Five”, “The Unit”, and “24”.
Richard and Jean met on the set of “Designing Women” in 1986. According to Jean, it was love at first sight for her. She saw Richard kissing another actress during filming and immediately asked her co-star Delta Burke if he was single. Richard was also interested in her, and they started dating. They got married on June 7, 1987, and stayed together for 34 years until Richard’s death in 2021.
Siblings and Family Bonds
Connor Douglas Gilliland is not an only child. He has a younger sibling named Forrest, who was adopted from China in May 2009. When Forrest joined the family, Connor was already 19 years old, which meant he took on the role of a much older brother.
Jean Smart has spoken about how Connor reacted to having a younger sibling. She said that Connor was “smitten” with the new baby and showed a lot of love and care. The family had talked about adoption for a long time before it happened. Jean mentioned that they thought Connor would be about 15 when they got the baby, but the process took longer than expected, so Connor was already 20 by the time Forrest came home.
The Gilliland family is known for being very close and supportive of each other. They share a strong bond built on love, respect, and understanding.
The Loss of Richard Gilliland
One of the most difficult moments in Connor’s life came on March 18, 2021, when his father, Richard Gilliland, passed away at the age of 71. Richard died from a heart condition that had not been diagnosed. His death was unexpected and came as a shock to the entire family.
During this heartbreaking time, Connor stepped up to support his mother and younger sibling. Jean Smart has talked about how her sons gave her strength and comfort when she was grieving. This shows Connor’s caring and responsible nature.
The loss of his father was a turning point in Connor’s life. He became even more important in his family, helping them deal with their new reality without Richard. Jean has publicly thanked both her sons for their support during this difficult period.
Current Life and Personal Values
Today, Connor continues to live quietly, maintaining the same private lifestyle he has always preferred. While his exact profession is not known, it is clear that he values independence and privacy above fame or public recognition.
Connor Douglas Gilliland’s lifestyle shows that he was raised with strong values. His parents taught him that success and happiness do not have to come from being in the spotlight. Instead, Connor has found his own path that brings him peace and satisfaction.
His choice to stay private also shows respect for his own identity. He is not just “Jean Smart’s son” or “Richard Gilliland’s son.” He is his own person with his own life, separate from his parents’ fame.
Conclusion
Connor Douglas Gilliland represents a new type of celebrity child one who chooses privacy over publicity and independence over inherited fame. As the son of Jean Smart and Richard Gilliland, he had every opportunity to step into the entertainment world, but he chose a different road. His quiet strength, dedication to family, and commitment to living life on his own terms make him a unique figure. While we may not know much about his day-to-day life, Connor’s choices speak loudly about his character and values. He reminds us that true happiness often comes from living simply and authentically, away from cameras and public attention.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is Connor Douglas Gilliland?
Connor Douglas Gilliland is the son of Emmy-winning actress Jean Smart and the late actor Richard Gilliland. He is known for choosing a quiet, private life away from the entertainment industry.
2. When was Connor Douglas Gilliland born?
Connor was born on October 25, 1989, in Los Angeles, California. He is currently 35 years old.
3. Does Connor work in acting like his parents?
No, Connor has not pursued a career in acting or entertainment. He prefers to keep his professional life private and has stayed away from the public spotlight.
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