San Diego, CA -- Actress Jean Smart has gone from designer to stoner.

Smart -- who played Charlene on the sitcom, "Designing Woman" -- is surprising film fans with her latest role, as the ineffectual mother of a pot-smoking grave digger in the new indie comedy, "Garden State."

In the film, Smart dumps her usually tailored appearance in order to sport a nose ring and a haircut straight from the trailer park.

It's a switch and no one was more surprised by her performance than her director, Zach Braff, star of the NBC sitcom, "Scrubs."

Braff admits he was initially skeptical because the role was vastly different from Smart's usual roles, but decided to take a chance anyway.

And, boy, he's glad he did. He says Smart brought a lot to the role that wasn't in the script, including the character's hairstyle and "...really long, thin cigarettes."

In his words, "She proved me wrong and she was perfect for it."

"Garden State," which also stars Natalie Portman, is currently in limited release.

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