Born in New York City, Smith began her acting career at the age of six when, at her first audition, she landed a guest-starring role on an episode of Saved by the Bell: The College Years. Smith has appeared in various roles in television and films including Dante's Peak (1997) with Pierce Brosnan, the ABC TV movie My Last Love (1999), ER, Grounded for Life, and FOX's Malcolm in the Middle. She starred in the film MVP: Most Valuable Primate in 2000. In 2008, she guest starred on Shark and Bones. She also appeared in "The Nanny" as young Fran in three of the episodes.