Connor Douglas Gilliland is the son of actress Jean Smart and the late actor Richard Gilliland. His parents built long careers in television, film and theater, with their family story beginning through their work on the sitcom Designing Women. Connor’s connection to both actors is the main reason readers search for his biography.
Born on October 25, 1989, Connor is 36 years old as of October 19, 2026. He will turn 37 on October 25, 2026. His birth date appears in biographical records about his mother, which identify him as her first child with Richard Gilliland.
A factual account of Connor’s life centers on his family background, documented childhood experiences and appearances alongside his mother. Information about his parents’ professional accomplishments provides useful context, while his own career and personal circumstances require separate evidence.
Connor Douglas Gilliland Profile Summary
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | Connor Douglas Gilliland |
| Date of birth | October 25, 1989 |
| Age | 36 as of October 19, 2026 |
| Mother | Jean Smart |
| Father | Richard Gilliland |
| Younger brother | Forrest Gilliland |
| Known for | Family connection to Jean Smart and Richard Gilliland |
| Documented family appearance | Jean Smart’s Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony on April 25, 2022 |
| Profession | Not established by the sources reviewed |
The summary distinguishes basic biographical details from areas where firm conclusions cannot be drawn. Attendance at an entertainment event, for example, does not establish that someone works in the entertainment industry.
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Connor Douglas Gilliland’s Early Life and Background
Connor was born two years after Jean Smart and Richard Gilliland married in June 1987. His parents met while working on Designing Women, making the series an important part of their relationship as well as their professional histories. Their marriage lasted nearly 34 years, until Richard’s death in 2021.
His early childhood included visits to television sets. In a 2022 interview with Elle, Smart remembered Connor sitting in a director’s chair wearing headphones when he was about two years old. She described how he learned that a production buzzer meant everyone needed to become quiet before filming began. This recollection offers a specific glimpse of his childhood around his parents’ work.
Connor later became an older brother when his parents adopted Forrest in 2009. The brothers have an age difference of almost 20 years. Their family therefore included children at very different stages of life, with Connor approaching adulthood when Forrest joined the household.
The family experienced a major loss when Richard Gilliland died in Los Angeles on March 18, 2021, aged 71. His representative confirmed that he died following a brief illness. Connor was 31 at the time.
Connor Douglas Gilliland’s Career and Professional Journey
The sources reviewed for this biography do not establish Connor Douglas Gilliland’s occupation, employer or professional history. There is therefore no sound basis for describing him as an actor, producer, entrepreneur or member of another profession. His childhood familiarity with television production does not establish a later career in that field.
His father’s professional record is more extensively documented. Richard Gilliland played J.D. Shackelford on Designing Women and appeared in series including The Waltons, Thirtysomething and Party of Five. His work also included the film Airplane II: The Sequel and numerous stage productions. Richard and Jean shared additional professional projects, including television work and theater performances.
Jean Smart’s career provides another part of Connor’s family background. Her work includes Designing Women, Frasier, 24, Fargo, Watchmen and Hacks. She trained at the University of Washington and worked in regional theater before moving into New York stage productions and television. These credits explain the family’s connection to the performing arts; they are her professional accomplishments.
Outside professional matters, Smart has spoken about Connor’s practical support. In a 2023 interview discussed by People, she said he had moved back into the family home after his father’s death and had helped her considerably. Her comments describe that period in the family’s life, without establishing his present living arrangements.
Connor Douglas Gilliland’s Major Achievements and Recognition
No individual professional awards or major career honors for Connor were established by the sources reviewed. Assigning his parents’ recognition to him would give an inaccurate impression of his biography. The clearest documented material in this area concerns his participation in family occasions connected with his mother’s career.
On April 25, 2022, Connor attended Jean Smart’s Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony with his younger brother, Forrest. Entertainment Tonight identified both sons among those accompanying her. Smart said her children were proud of the occasion, which celebrated her work across several decades.
The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce designated Smart’s star in the television category. The ceremony included contributions from Hacks actress Hannah Einbinder and Designing Women creator Linda Bloodworth-Thomason, connecting different periods of Smart’s career. Connor’s attendance places him at a documented family milestone, while the honor itself belongs to his mother.
Connor Douglas Gilliland FAQ
Who is Connor Douglas Gilliland?
Connor Douglas Gilliland is the son of actress Jean Smart and actor Richard Gilliland. Biographical coverage of him primarily concerns his family relationships and his mother’s accounts of family life.
How old is Connor Douglas Gilliland?
He was born on October 25, 1989. As of October 19, 2026, he is 36 years old, with his 37th birthday falling six days later.
Who are Connor Douglas Gilliland’s parents?
His parents are Jean Smart and Richard Gilliland. They met through Designing Women, married in 1987 and remained married until Richard died in March 2021.
Does Connor Douglas Gilliland have a sibling?
Yes. Connor has a younger brother named Forrest Gilliland, who joined the family through adoption in 2009. There is an age gap of almost two decades between them.
What does Connor Douglas Gilliland do for a living?
The sources reviewed do not establish his profession. His parents’ acting careers and his attendance at his mother’s Walk of Fame ceremony are not sufficient evidence to identify his occupation.
Conclusion: Connor Douglas Gilliland’s Life and Family
Connor Douglas Gilliland’s documented biography is rooted in his relationship with Jean Smart, Richard Gilliland and his younger brother, Forrest. His mother’s recollections offer details about his early exposure to television production and his support following his father’s death.
His appearance at Jean Smart’s 2022 Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony adds a clear milestone to that account. Beyond these documented details, an accurate biography should leave questions about his occupation and other personal matters open until reliable evidence supports a fuller account.
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