Sports commentator Stephen A Smith balances ESPN career with surprising acting roles while staying true to his first love: sports journalism.
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Keeping It Real on Screen
Stephen A. Smith might be popping up on your favorite TV shows lately, but don’t call him an actor!
The 57-year-old sports guru recently dipped his toes into the Law & Order universe, playing a tough-love sports agent.
But let’s get one thing straight—sports runs through his veins, and he ain’t changing lanes anytime soon.
ESPN First, Acting Second
“Sports made me who I am,” Smith confesses with his trademark candor.
The man’s been dishing hot takes for three decades now, and that ESPN gig isn’t going anywhere.
His First Take morning show keeps him booked and busy five days a week, leaving little room for Hollywood dreams.
Turning Down Big Roles
Funny enough, Smith actually wanted to play a lawyer on Law & Order! But when the NBA playoffs come calling, Stephen knows where his bread is buttered.
He had to pass on the bigger commitment, though he still considers his guest spot “an incredible honor” that left him grinning from ear to ear.
From Cameo to Character
Who knew a quick 2016 cameo on General Hospital would snowball into something more? Now Smith regularly appears as Brick, a tech-savvy mob associate.
The soap’s executive producer spotted something special in him—”natural skills” that could take him places in the acting world.
Getting Better with Each Role
The sportscaster gives major props to General Hospital for helping him level up his acting game.
His Law & Order appearance felt like a personal best: “I thought I stepped it up,” he admits with a rare moment of self-praise.
For a guy who’s usually all confidence, that’s saying something!
No Time for Playback
Despite his growing TV résumé, Smith rarely watches his own performances.
“It’s on to the next,” he explains with his characteristic hustle mentality.
Always moving forward, always improving—that’s the Stephen A. way, whether he’s breaking down basketball stats or memorizing script lines.
Future Possibilities
While he’s keeping the door cracked open for more acting gigs, don’t expect him to abandon sports commentary anytime soon.
But hey, in Stephen A.’s world, you never know what tomorrow might bring—just don’t expect him to start calling himself an actor!