Connor Douglas Gilliland is the son of two famous actors – Jean Smart and Richard Gilliland. Born on October 25, 1989, in Los Angeles, California, Connor grew up in a family that was well-known in Hollywood.
Early Life and Family
Connor’s parents met while working on a TV show called “Designing Women” in the late 1980s. They got married in 1987, and Connor was born two years later. His mother, Jean Smart, is a very successful actress who has won many awards for her work on TV shows and movies. His father, Richard Gilliland, was also an actor who appeared in many popular TV shows like “The Waltons” and “24”.
When Connor’s mother was pregnant with him, she had diabetes, which made the pregnancy more difficult. But she took good care of herself to make sure Connor would be born healthy.
When Connor Douglas Gilliland was about 20 years old, his family adopted a baby from China. This baby, originally named Bonnie, is now called Forrest and is transgender. Connor became a big brother and helped his new sibling feel welcome in their family.
Detail | Information |
Full Name | Connor Douglas Gilliland |
Age (as of 2025) | 35 years old |
Birth Year | 1989 |
Birth Date | October 25, 1989 |
Birth Place | Los Angeles, California, USA |
Father | Richard Gilliland |
Mother | Jean Smart |
Sibling | Forrest Gilliland (adopted sibling) |
Height | 5 feet 9 inches (1.75m) |
Eye Color | Blue |
Ethnicity | White |
Relationship Status | Unmarried (as of 2025) |
Known For | Son of actors Jean Smart and Richard Gilliland |
Social Media Presence | Not active |
Sexual Orientation | Straight |
Growing Up in Hollywood
Even though Connor’s parents were famous, they tried to give him a normal childhood. They wanted him to grow up with good values and not be spoiled by fame. Connor learned to be kind, helpful, and humble from his parents.
Unlike many children of famous people, Connor Douglas Gilliland chose to stay away from the spotlight. He doesn’t like being in the news or on social media. He prefers to live a quiet, private life.
Physical Description
Connor is about 5 feet 9 inches tall and has blue eyes. He is white and straight. As of 2025, he is not married and doesn’t have a girlfriend that the public knows about.
A Difficult Time for the Family
In 2021, something very sad happened to Connor’s family. His father, Richard Gilliland, died unexpectedly. This was very hard for Connor, his mother, and his sibling Forrest. After his father’s death, Connor Douglas Gilliland became even more important in supporting his mother and helping the family stay strong.
Jean Smart has said many times how grateful she is for Connor and Forrest. When she won awards after her husband’s death, she always thanked her children for helping her through the difficult time.
Also Read – Edward Abel Smith
What Connor Does for Work
Nobody really knows what Connor Douglas Gilliland does for a job. He keeps his work life very private. Unlike his parents, he didn’t become an actor. He chose a different path, but he hasn’t told the public what that path is.
Some people think he might work in business or maybe in creative jobs behind the scenes, but this is just guessing. Connor has never given interviews or talked publicly about his career.
Education
Connor probably went to good schools because his parents could afford it and cared about education. However, the exact schools he attended are not public knowledge. His parents wanted him to get a good education, but they also kept this information private.
Relationship with His Sibling
Connor Douglas Gilliland has a very good relationship with his younger sibling, Forrest. When Forrest was adopted as a baby, Connor was already an adult, but he welcomed the new family member with love. Later, when Forrest came out as transgender, Connor continued to be supportive and caring.
The family has always been close, and both children have been there for each other and their mother, especially during hard times.
Money and Lifestyle
Because Connor’s parents were successful actors, the family had plenty of money. His father had about $4 million when he died, and his mother has about $10 million. This means Connor Douglas Gilliland grew up comfortably and had many opportunities.
However, Connor has never used his family’s fame or money to show off. He lives simply and doesn’t try to get attention because of his wealthy family.
Why Connor Stays Private
In today’s world, many people want to be famous and share everything on social media. But Connor Douglas Gilliland is different. He chooses to stay out of the public eye. He doesn’t have Instagram, Twitter, or other social media accounts. He rarely goes to Hollywood events, and when he does, he doesn’t try to get attention.
This choice to stay private makes Connor special. Many people respect him for choosing to live his own life instead of trying to become famous because of his parents.
Family Values
The Smart-Gilliland family believes in helping others and being kind. They support causes like adoption and LGBTQ+ rights. While Connor Douglas Gilliland doesn’t publicly talk about these causes, he was raised with these values.
His parents taught him to care about other people and to use his advantages in life to do good things, even if he does them quietly.
Connor’s Personality
People who know the family describe Connor Douglas Gilliland as sincere, creative, and thoughtful. He’s not someone who likes to be the center of attention. Instead, he prefers to support his family and live peacefully.
Connor is also described as imaginative and smart. He probably gets these qualities from growing up around creative parents who were always working on interesting projects.
Public Appearances
Connor Douglas Gilliland rarely appears in public. When he does, it’s usually at family events or sometimes supporting his mother at award shows. Even then, he stays in the background and doesn’t try to get photographed or interviewed.
The few photos that exist of Connor show him as a normal-looking young man who dresses simply and doesn’t try to look like a celebrity.
How Connor Helps His Family
After his father died, Connor Douglas Gilliland became very important in helping his mother cope with her loss. Jean Smart has said that without Connor and Forrest, she wouldn’t have been able to continue her acting career.
Connor helped take care of practical things and provided emotional support. He showed that even though he’s quiet and private, he’s very strong and reliable when his family needs him.
Also Read – OT7 Quanny Age
What Makes Connor Special
Connor Douglas Gilliland is special because he chose to be normal in a world where being famous is often seen as the most important thing. He had every opportunity to become a celebrity himself, but he decided that wasn’t what he wanted.
Instead, Connor focused on being a good son and brother. He showed that success doesn’t always mean being famous or rich. Sometimes success means being there for your family and living according to your own values.
Connor’s Future
Nobody knows what Connor Douglas Gilliland will do in the future because he keeps his plans private. He might continue working in whatever job he has now, or he might try something completely different.
What seems certain is that Connor will continue to be an important part of his family. He will probably keep supporting his mother and sibling, and he will likely continue to live privately.
Lessons from Connor’s Life
Connor Douglas Gilliland’s life teaches us several important lessons:
- You don’t have to be famous to be important – Connor shows that you can have a meaningful life without being in the spotlight.
- Family comes first – Connor always puts his family’s needs before his own desire for privacy.
- It’s okay to be different – In a world where everyone wants attention, Connor shows it’s fine to choose quiet and privacy.
- Money and fame don’t define you – Even though Connor could use his family’s fame, he chooses to make his own way.
- Being supportive matters – Connor’s support of his family shows how important it is to be there for people you love.
Conclusion
Connor Douglas Gilliland may not be famous like his parents, but his story is inspiring in its own way. He shows that it’s possible to grow up in Hollywood and still choose a normal, private life. He proves that being a good family member is just as important as any career success.
While we may never know all the details about Connor’s life – and that’s exactly how he wants it – we can respect his choices and admire the way he has handled growing up in a famous family. Connor Douglas Gilliland reminds us that there are many different ways to live a successful and meaningful life, and fame isn’t necessary for any of them.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is Connor Douglas Gilliland?
Connor Douglas Gilliland is the eldest son of Emmy-winning actress Jean Smart and late actor Richard Gilliland. Born on October 25, 1989, in Los Angeles, California, he is known for maintaining a private lifestyle despite his famous parents.
2. How old is Connor Douglas Gilliland?
As of 2025, Connor Douglas Gilliland is 35 years old. He was born in 1989 and celebrated his birthday on October 25th each year.
3. What does Connor Douglas Gilliland do for work?
Connor Douglas Gilliland’s current profession is not publicly known. Unlike his parents who are actors, he has chosen to keep his career private and away from the media spotlight. He has never pursued acting or entertainment industry work publicly.
4. Is Connor Douglas Gilliland married?
No, Connor Douglas Gilliland is not married as of 2025. He has maintained a very private personal life and has not been publicly linked to any romantic relationships. He also does not use social media platforms.
5. Does Connor Douglas Gilliland have siblings?
Yes, Connor Douglas Gilliland has one sibling named Forrest, who was adopted from China in 2009 when Connor was about 20 years old. Forrest is transgender and the family has been very supportive throughout his journey.