
Acting
Elaine C. Smith
Born 1958-08-02 · Baillieston, Glasgow, Scotland, UK
Elaine C Smith, born August 2, 1958, in Baillieston, Glasgow, is a Scottish actress, comedian, writer, and political activist best known for her iconic role as Mary Nesbitt in the long-running BBC sitcom Rab C. Nesbitt. She began her career as a drama teacher before transitioning into television in the 1980s with appearances on Naked Video and City Lights, which established her as one of Scotland’s most recognisable comedic talents. Over the years, Smith has enjoyed success on stage as well, starring in productions such as Calendar Girls and The Steamie, while also touring regularly with her own one-woman shows. She later became a central cast member in the hit BBC Scotland sitcom Two Doors Down, further cementing her status as a staple of Scottish television. Smith’s career spans over four decades, combining humour, heart, and a deep commitment to Scottish culture and identity.
Acting credits
5.6A Chicago detective travels to Scotland after an emerging serial killer’s crimes match those that he investigated five years earlier, one of which was the crime scene of his murdered girlfriend.
Damaged
2024
NRA portrait of Stanley Baxter, Scotland’s most dazzling TV star of the 1970s and ’80s, whose groundbreaking sketches and lavish specials made him a household name. Behind the fame, Baxter lived a hidden double life as a gay man in a hostile era, balancing public brilliance with private secrecy. Made shortly before his death, the film draws on personal archives and recordings to reveal the man behind the legend.
Being Stanley Baxter
2025
NRIn 1970s Glasgow, an unlikely friendship develops between a bereaved 11-year-old lad and the local bully.
Broono
2024
NRA celebration of the life and times of the actor Gerard Kelly, with contributions from his friends and colleagues. Gerard's career spanned nearly 40 years starting in 1973 at the age of fourteen, moved on to the hapless Willie Melvin in City Lights and culminated with the fabulous, outrageous Bunny in Extras. Among those appearing will be Richard Wilson, David Hayman, Les Dennis, Andy Gray, Jonathan Watson and Elaine C Smith.
Gerard Kelly: A Celebration
2010
NRJack Docherty brings together a jam-packed cast of comedians, actors and famous faces for a riotous celebration of Scotland's most valuable export – its sense of humour. Scotland is a small nation with a big funny bone. It's known the world over for self-deprecation, quick-witted patter and deadpan asides. But what makes it so funny? To find out the answer, this programme delves deep into the BBC Scotland archives to find a century’s worth of classic characters, catchphrases and comedy clips.
Ooh the Banter!
2022
NRA portrait of gambling obsession
33-1 Before the Off
1997
NRA nostalgic look back at City Lights, the iconic Scottish sitcom that captured the spirit of 1980s Scotland, featuring the writer, cast and the famous faces it inspired
City Lights: Pure Dead Brilliant
2025
9.0Nine-year-old Abigail is reluctantly roped into the Govan Fair Queen competition by her grandmum Linda. With a holiday to Florida on the line and an old rivalry reignited, it's all to play for.
Govan Fair Queen
2025
Coming Soon is the story of an existentialist-style experimental theatre troupe that travels from London to Scotland trying to organize the troupe for rehearsals to make it to opening night. Insightfully observed and brilliantly written. Throughout there is a wonderfully real balance of comedy of errors and the pathos of each person's part in the experimental troupe. We can relate to each character brought out through the comedy of their day to day struggle for survival. Fiona, the dippy ex-dancer come Arts Council assistant (Mabel Aitken) and Omid Djalili as the taxi driver stand out in a very talented cast. It's a production which is lively and memorable.
Coming Soon
1999
NRLife in a Scottish New Town
End of the Line
1984
Mockumentary set on the day of the 2014 Scottish Independence referendum and designed to capture a snap shot of a nation on the brink of both triumph and disaster.
Scotland In A Day
2014
NRThe cast of BBC2's hit comedy series have taken to the stage of Aberdeen's Capitol Theatre on the final night of their triumphant nationwide tour. Now the scene is set for the usual Rab blend of vitriolic comedy. String-vested superslob Rab C. Nesbitt faces a frosty reception from his family when he finally staggers home from the World Cup, several months later spurned by delinquent sons and driven out of the house by his exasperated spouse, he finds himself reluctantly sharing a squalid bedsit with his wholesome and equally estranged pal, Jamesie. ‘I Married the wrong woman’ laments the rueful Rob rekindling memories of his first true love. A sweet schoolgirl called Isobel Niddrie.
Rab C. Nesbitt Live
1992