The same year, she played in a Broadway production of "The Man Who Came to Dinner", which earned her a Tony Award nomination. Soon after, she landed roles in several high-profile films including "Sweet Home Alabama" (2002), playing the mother-in-law of Reese Witherspoon, and in the comedy "Bringing Down The House" (2002), opposite Queen Latifah. She also had a supporting role in the independent drama "Garden State" (2004). Between 2000 and 2004, Smart played the role of Supervisor of Detectives and ex-wife to Chief Jack Mannion of the Metropolitan Police Department on "The District".