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*Born in Chicago, raised in Oakland, Kellita Smith is most familiar as Wanda McCollough, the busy, reserved executive wife of Bernie Mac on “The Bernie Mac Show.” What might be surprising is that Smith is actually a sassy, outspoken and very clever comic. She is currently appearing in the movie “King’s Ransom,” which stars Anthony Anderson, and it is exactly that difference of her own witty personality from her TV character, that led her to the role of Renee in the film. Smith was called to read for a much more subdued role.

“When I first got the script they wanted me to read the part for Angela,” she explained. While the Angela character was a meatier role, Smith was drawn to the smaller part because the Renee character seemed to be “more fun,” she said. “So I asked if I could read for the part. It was so much different than the part I played on TV. After I read for it they kind of expanded the part.”

Smith turned the role of Renee into a scene stealer. She got to do the “more fun” part and says she had a lot of fun doing it.

“It’s always good to be able to do your thing and get paid, even if it’s for a few dollars,” she said.

All jokes aside, Smith is very serious about and very thankful to be doing what she really enjoys. She could never take her opportunities for granted, particularly after finding her place through a journey of dead-end jobs and some hostile circumstances. Smith confessed that she stumbled and discovered her love of acting after being fired from four jobs in a row – one being a stint at Macy’s department store.

When asked exactly what she did at Macy’s, Smith replied, “I did nothing -- a little socializing – but I moved the merchandise.” Smith explained that in order to sell the product, she had to do a little socializing.

“But someone said I was socializing too much. The next job was an insurance company – I was trying to do something for the ladies at the office because we weren’t being treated well, so we got together in the green room and we wrote down some of our issues, faxed it, and sent it to the main bosses. The next morning there was a box ... and they told me to take it to my little cubicle and, ‘All the things that fit, just put that in there, and we’ll graciously walk you to the door. Whatever doesn’t, we’ll send it to you.’ I figured maybe I should try acting and so I did. I was horrible – but I loved it.”

Because of Smith’s love of acting, her talent grew. It took her out of her Northern California home, on a tour, a play, and on the road for a couple of years. “I lived in New York for a couple of months and then moved to Los Angeles and that’s all she wrote,” she said.

The actress described the moment that she knew she this was her true calling. “I had an out of body experience in Atlanta at the Fox Theatre where I was watching everything and that’s when it consummated for me that this is what I was going to do – even if I had to have Top Ramen all the time. I had a passion for it. It’s my ultimate high and I can’t imagine doing anything else – except for maybe marrying a tycoon or something. I think that’s what actors chase often – that supreme endorphin rush. So I guess I’m co-dependent.”

Smith has taken her co-dependency to new highs, starring in a hit TV show and several movies. However, it’s her dependency and need for acting has helped a lot of people in need. True to her word, Smith is very involved in and number of philanthropic endeavors including the Women of Essence breast cancer support group. Smith added that she’d like to perhaps one day start a school or halfway house, or some type of community center.

“I think I was given this avenue for several different reasons and it’s to contribute back to Oakland. I’m like a little Robin Hood – trying to get the gold and take it back to my spot,” she said. “For me, I connected with knowing that this avenue just wasn’t for me to be famous and make some money – it’s for me to allocate. I absolutely know why I’m here and why I have been able to progressively move like I have,”

The actress is steadily conquering Hollywood and is moving on to the behind-the-scenes power roles of the Tinsel Town. Smith is doing some producing now and hopes that she will be a trailblazer for aspiring actors, writers, producers, and directors – though for the moment is straying away from the directors chair.

“Directing looks really hard. I’m an elementary public school girl, so I’m going to keep the easy – I’m going to produce and delegate,” Smith joked. “But I think it’s necessary because everyone doesn’t get to get to a certain place in this business, so we have to throw the rope back over. So I would have to have my hands in some aspect of producing so it won’t be hard next time for a brown girl.”

Furthermore, Smith agrees with several black actors that while there is progress in the entertainment industry, there is plenty room for more to be made.

“I think at this point it’s up to us as entertainers who cross over into acting. We as African-Americans have to participate in this business on a higher level to move our culture and our society forward in terms of certain characters that are depicted and certain movies that are reflective of who we are, but it has to be us in those positions. Often times those scripts are written, they just aren’t green-lit, so they just don’t get done.”

While Smith hacks away at the industry’s glass ceiling, she is also juggling more roles in front of the camera. Up next is the film “Roll Bounce,” with Bow-Wow, Chi McBride, and Nick Cannon. The film is set in the 1970s and follows a young roller rinker named X, as he prepares to battle on wheels in a skate-off. “Roll Bounce” hits theaters this summer. First up, though, is “King’s Ransom,” which opens next Friday, April 22. Meanwhile, “The Bernie Mac Show,” in its 4th season, airs Fridays at 8 p.m. on Fox and is headed for syndication in the fall.

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SHOW THE WORLD YOUR TALENT! The Uplifting Minds II Conference returns to LA June 25-26 at the (LAX) Four-Points Sheraton for the entertainment seminars and the Westfield Fox Hills Shoppingtown for the national talent competition showcase. Judges include actress/author Jasmine Guy and comedian/actor Kel Mitchell. Sponsored in part by EURWEB, 100.3 The Beat and the LA Watts Times. 866-366-2160 for more info or email freeassoc3@aol.com or visit: www.upliftingminds2.com (06-24)

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A 'KING's RANSOM' AND THEN SOME: Actress Kellita Smith Acts Up And Gives Out.