Smith Jerrod: Why the Sex and the City Heartthrob Still Matters

Smith Jerrod: Why the Sex and the City Heartthrob Still Matters

He was the "Absolut Hunk." The waiter who actually listened. The guy who shaved his head in solidarity when the woman he loved lost her hair to chemo.

Honestly, looking back at the chaotic dating landscape of Sex and the City, Jerry "Smith" Jerrod feels like a fever dream. Amidst the toxic "Zsa Zsa Zsu" of Mr. Big and the relentless ego of Richard Wright, Smith was... well, he was just decent.

Jason Lewis stepped into the role of Smith Jerrod in Season 6, and let's be real—the show was never the same after that. He wasn't just eye candy, though the billboard in Times Square definitely helped that cause. He was the only man who truly met Samantha Jones where she was. No judgment. No demands. Just a lot of patience.

The Smith Jerrod Effect: More Than a Pretty Face

When we first meet him, he’s just Jerry, a waiter at raw food restaurant Raw. Samantha wants a quick fix. She wants the "younger man" experience without the baggage. But Jerry had depth. He was a recovering alcoholic with a quiet, steady strength that Samantha—and the audience—didn't see coming.

It’s kinda wild how their power dynamic shifted. Samantha, the PR mogul, literally rebuilt him. She changed his name. She fabricated a persona. She turned "Jerry Jerrod" (seriously, what were his parents thinking?) into Smith Jerrod, the global superstar. Most guys in that universe would have let that fame go to their heads, but Smith stayed grounded.

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Why he was the ultimate partner

You've probably rewatched the scene where Samantha tries to push him away while she's battling breast cancer. It’s brutal. She’s scared, she’s losing her identity, and she tries to hand him an "out." Smith doesn’t take it. Instead, he shaves his own head.

That moment redefined what a "boyfriend" looked like on a show that often prioritized style over substance. He didn't just show up for the red carpets; he showed up for the vomit buckets and the late-night fears.

What Really Happened with the Breakup?

Fast forward to the first Sex and the City movie. The couple had moved to Los Angeles. Smith was a massive TV star. Samantha was his manager, living a life that was essentially 90% him and 10% her.

The breakup in Malibu is one of the most polarizing moments in the franchise. "I love you, but I love me more." It’s a legendary line. Some fans felt Smith got the short end of the stick after being so loyal. Others saw it as the ultimate Samantha Jones move—reclaiming her autonomy after years of caretaking.

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Basically, the relationship had become a job. Samantha realized she was losing herself in his shadow, even though he was doing everything "right." It wasn't about him being a bad guy; it was about her needing her own oxygen again.

Where is Jason Lewis Now?

While the Sex and the City universe continued with the revival And Just Like That..., Smith Jerrod has been notably absent. It makes sense, technically. If Kim Cattrall’s Samantha isn't there, there's no narrative anchor for Smith.

Jason Lewis hasn't been sitting around waiting for a phone call, though. He’s kept busy.

  • He starred in the supernatural drama Midnight, Texas.
  • He did a stint on Dancing with the Stars in 2022 (Season 31), though he was the first to go.
  • He’s been vocal about his respect for the original show while acknowledging that people move on.

In 2026, Lewis remains a fixture in the "where are they now" conversations, often praised for how gracefully he's aged and his continued work in independent film and television. He recently appeared in projects like The Last Goodbye and has been active in mental health advocacy.

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The Legacy of the "Stable" Guy

What most people get wrong about Smith is the idea that he was boring because he was nice. In a show built on the drama of unavailable men, Smith was the most radical character because he was actually available.

He didn't play games. He didn't disappear for weeks. He didn't have a "secret" wife in Paris.

Smith Jerrod proved that Samantha Jones, the woman who "didn't do relationships," was actually capable of incredible intimacy. He didn't fix her—she didn't need fixing—but he held the mirror up so she could see how much she was worth.

Actionable Insights for the SATC Fan:

  • Rewatch Season 6, Episode 16 ("Out of the Frying Pan"): If you want to see the peak of their emotional arc, this is the one. It's the hair-shaving episode, and it hits just as hard twenty years later.
  • Check out Jason Lewis's recent work: If you miss that charm, look into Midnight, Texas for a very different vibe from the Malibu beaches.
  • Analyze the "I love me more" philosophy: Next time you feel like you're losing yourself in a partner's career or needs, remember that even a relationship with a "perfect" guy like Smith can become a cage if you stop prioritizing yourself.

The Smith Jerrod era of Sex and the City remains a gold standard for how to write a "younger man" trope without making it a caricature. He was a partner, a protégé, and a rock—all wrapped in a very well-fitted suit.