<P> Anna Deavere Smith ( born September 18 , 1950 ) is an American actress , playwright , and professor . She is currently the artist - in - residence at the Center for American Progress . Smith is widely known for her roles as National Security Advisor Dr. Nancy McNally in The West Wing ( 2000 -- 06 ) , and as hospital administrator Gloria Akalitus in the Showtime series Nurse Jackie ( 2009 -- 15 ) . She is a recipient of The Dorothy and Lillian Gish Prize ( 2013 ) , one of the richest prizes in the American arts , with a remuneration of $300,000 , and was named the Jefferson Lecturer for 2015 . </P>
<P> Anna Deavere Smith ( born September 18 , 1950 ) is an American actress , playwright , and professor . She is currently the artist - in - residence at the Center for American Progress . Smith is widely known for her roles as National Security Advisor Dr. Nancy McNally in The West Wing ( 2000 -- 06 ) , and as hospital administrator Gloria Akalitus in the Showtime series Nurse Jackie ( 2009 -- 15 ) . She is a recipient of The Dorothy and Lillian Gish Prize ( 2013 ) , one of the richest prizes in the American arts , with a remuneration of $300,000 , and was named the Jefferson Lecturer for 2015 . </P>
who played nancy mcnally on the west wing
who played nancy mcnally on the west wing
Anna Deavere Smith
Anna Deavere Smith