Brooke Smith, born on May 22, 1967, in New York City, is an American actress, photographer, and author. She is best known for her roles as Dr. Erica Hahn on the ABC medical drama series "Grey's Anatomy," Sheriff Jane Greene on the A&E horror series "Bates Motel," and Catherine Martin in the 1991 film "The Silence of the Lambs."

Brooke Smith grew up in Rockland County, New York, and was part of the hardcore punk scene in Manhattan's Lower East Side during the 1980s. Her father, Eugene "Gene" Smith, was a publisher, and her mother, Lois Smith, was a publicist who worked with Robert Redford and other actors and directors.

Brooke Smith married Russian cinematographer Steve Lubensky on January 6, 1999. The couple has two daughters, Fanny Grace Lubensky, born in 2003, and Lucy Dinknesh Lubensky, adopted from Ethiopia in 2008.

She is an alumna of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, which helped her build a strong foundation for her career in the entertainment industry. She has also expressed interest in journalism, interviewing actors such as Steve Buscemi, Ed Harris, and Fred Ward.

Her career spans several decades, with notable roles in films like "The Moderns" (1988), "Vanya on 42nd Street" (1994), "In Her Shoes" (2005), and "Interstellar" (2014). She has also appeared in TV shows such as "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," "Homicide: Life on the Street," and "Big Sky."

She has directed a few short films and episodes of TV shows, showcasing her talent behind the camera as well.

In addition to her acting career, she is an avid traveler, especially to Africa, and has a passion for photography. She continues to be active in the entertainment industry, with upcoming projects including roles in TV shows like "The Good Nurse" and "The Premise."