ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Along with appearing in films, William Smith also made his mark in television. His trademark arms measured as much as .mw-parser-output .frac{white-space:nowrap}.mw-parser-output .frac .num,.mw-parser-output .frac .den{font-size:80%;line-height:0;vertical-align:super}.mw-parser-output .frac .den{vertical-align:sub}.mw-parser-output .sr-only{border:0;clip:rect(0,0,0,0);height:1px;margin:-1px;overflow:hidden;padding:0;position:absolute;width:1px}19+12 inches. The actor took his last breath at the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital in Woodland Hills on Monday, July 5, according to his wife Joanne Cervelli Smith. The roles he is most known for are Anthony Falconetti in the 1976 miniseries Rich Man, Poor Man,and he appeared in the original Hawaii Five-O television series from 1979-1980 as Detective James Kimo Carew. William Smith, the rugged actor who starred on "Laredo" and "Rich Man, Poor Man" and had memorable movie brawls with Rod Taylor and Clint Eastwood, died Monday, his wife said. }) By Spencer Perry - July 9, 2021 07:02 pm EDT. He could speak six languages which made him a valuable asset during his military service. I'll never forget that fearsome brawl between Rod Taylor and William Smith in Darker than Amber. The 6-foot-2 actor's career saw himtussle onscreen with some of the most rugged leading men in Hollywood, includingClint Eastwood, Rod Taylor, Richard Harris, Yul Brynner and Nick Nolte. An experience, though, that would forever shape Smith's legacy would be when he stepped into the role of a merciless bodybuilder in 1970's "Darker Than Amber," where he went head to head in the ring with Rod Taylor. This man was one of the best actors Ive ever seen. Not only was Smith an action star, but he was known as atough guy and appeared in two of the biggest brawls in movie history. Actor William Smith, who played bikers, brawlers, cowboys and no-nonsense tough guys in films and television shows including "Laredo," "Rich Man, Poor Man" and "Any Which Way You Can," has. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, All rights reserved. For movie fans, Smith is best remembered for his 70's biker movies, and TV-series. },false) He was reportedly also fluent in French, German and Serbo-Croatian.[3]. ga('create', 'UA-67136960-15', 'auto', 'ads'); John Smith, who starred in the television westerns "Laramie" and "Cimarron City," died on Jan. 25 at his home here. Gerry Byrne . Later, he joined the cast of "Hawaii Five-O" in its final season as Detective James "Kimo" Carew. One of his earliest leading roles was as Joe Riley, a good-natured Texas Ranger on the NBC western series Laredo (19651967). William Smith, an actor with an impressively diverse 78-year career in Hollywood, died July 5 at the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital in Woodland Hills, California. }); window.googletag.cmd.push(function() { pic.twitter.com/UJVpOSTted, Daily Grindhouse (@DailyGrindhouse) July 9, 2021. While working towards his doctorate, he landed a contract with MGM and never looked back. William Smith (March 24, 1933 - July 5, 2021) was an American actor. His son Alexander Hurt announced the death in a statement but did not give a cause. William Smith was in the Season 12 Classic HFO season 1979-1980. In 1983, Smith appeared in two films from Francis Ford Coppola, in The Outsiders as a store clerk and in Rumble Fish as a police officer. Reports: Chick Vennera, 'Golden Girls' and 'Thank God It's Friday' actor, dies at 74. and Company', 'Chrome and Hot Leather,' 'Gentle Savage' and 'Eye of the Tiger'. MEAWW brings you the best content from its global team of His wife, Joanne Cervelli Smith, confirmed his passing to the Hollywood Reporter. Smith was known for his roles in western and biker-themed films and TV shows. When one talks about actor William Smith, not only are they discussing the career of one of the most prolific and popular cult actors of all time, but also one of the screen's greatest villains. Rumors that actor Will Smith has passed away started surfacing online in 2022, but the actor is not dead. According to a report by Deadline, the late actor's wife, Joanne Cervelli Smith, confirmed he had passed away July 5th at the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital in Woodland Hills, California. To me, it was like the hand-to-hand combat version of the Battle of Bloody Porch. His wife, Joanne Cervelli Smith, confirmed that the action star passed away at the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital on July 5. Outside of his career in Hollywood, Smith had forged a successful career in the U.S. Air Force and the NSA. He had previously appeared with Jack Lord in Stoney Burke. }); He was 54. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. A lifelong bodybuilder, Smith was a record holder for reverse-curling his own body weight. His agent described him as "one of the greatest actors of . However, his most memorable role on TV was when he played Anthony Falconetti in 1976's "Rich Man, Poor Man," where he played a villain. In a Hollywood career spanning more than 75 years, he appeared in almost three hundred feature films and television. MovieWeb even states that Smith appeared in almost every TV series of the 1970s and 1980s, like"The Dukes of Hazzard" and "The A Team.". GLEE STAR HEATHER MORRIS HONORS NAYA RIVERA WITH TRIBUTE TATTOO: TOMORROW IS NOT PROMISED, American actor William Smith, circa 1975. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. A Washington . You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! Actor William Smith, who was famous for starring in television shows like 'Hawaii Five-O' and 'Laredo', has died. The Tragic Death Of Action Star William Smith. William Smith, the action star who tussled with Clint Eastwood in Any Which Way You Can, made a lasting impression as the evil Falconetti on TV miniseries Rich Man, Poor Man and was a regular. William Smith was in the Season 12 Classic HFO season 1979-1980. Although often typecast as an anti-social personality, he sporadically got other kinds of roles as a law enforcement officer or an anti-heroic protagonist. William C. Watson Death: and Cause of Death On November 5, 1997, William C. Watsondied of non-communicable disease. His character was a boxer named Jack Smith. ", Smith would take part in another classic screen brawl, this one with Rod Taylor, as a bodybuilder in the 1970 film "Darker Than Amber. Police did not provide any additional information about his death. Ten years later, he made movie history again when he squared off against Eastwood in Any Which Way You Can. It has to be one of the longest two-man fights ever done on film without doubles, Smith said about the notorious scene. Pigott-Smith was a keen sportsman, loved the countryside and wrote four short books, three of them for children. In fact, his career spanned over several decades with his first official TV credit in the 1950s, according to IMDb. Smith was best known for his portrayal of Falconetti in the groundbreaking 1976 miniseries Rich Man, Poor Man. The actor also fought in two of the most memorable brawls in cinematic history, going up against Clint Eastwood in 1980s Any Which Way You Can and Rod Taylor in 1970s Darker Than Amber.. He was 31-1 in amateur boxing bouts and was also an accomplished arm wrestler, winning multiple championships in the 200-pound weight class. It has to be one of the longest two-man fights ever done on film without doubles.. Hollywood mourned Oscar-winning actor William Hurt Sunday, after his death at 71. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), In the fist fight scene that ends the film, Rod Taylor hit Smith (who was playing the villain) who retaliated in kind,[6] and a staged-fight scene became a real fight as the cameras continued to roll. He has 274 credited acting roles on the IMDB database spanning almost 80 years and 30 credits for stunt work during a period of 33 years. By The Associated Press. 226, Last edited on 28 February 2023, at 01:32, Learn how and when to remove this template message, Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital, "William Smith, Action Star Known for His Onscreen Brawls, Dies at 88", "William Smith | Brilliant Classroom Characters: The Top 10 Wicked Smart Actors", "William Smith: My fight with Clint Eastwood was longest two-man fight scene on screen", "William Smith, Action Actor and Star of 'Laredo' and 'Rich Man, Poor Man,' Dies at 88", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=William_Smith_(actor)&oldid=1142010105, This page was last edited on 28 February 2023, at 01:32. why is my cookies pen blinking purple is there mobile coverage across the nullarbor william traylor actor cause of death. ", Laredo star William Smith died on Monday at the age of 88. and Company with Ann-Margret, Joe Namath, Jennifer Billingsley and genre favorite, Sid Haig, the latter of which was directed by Seymour Robbie and written by Ann-Margret's husband, actor Roger Smith. The sources said officers responded to Williams' home at approximately 2 p.m. local time and found him dead in his living room. Heflew on secretmissions over the Soviet Unionand Eastern Bloc countries, according to a statement shared by his wife. "It has to be one of the longest two-man fights ever done on film without doubles," Smith said about the fight scene with Clint Eastwood in 'Any Which Way You Can'. Action star William Smith, known for his roles in "Rich Man, Poor Man" and "Laredo," died Monday, according to the New York Post. RIP, Big Bill, A sad day for Classic HFO fans. William Smith. American actor William Smith, circa 1975. let gads_event; He was 88. With his chiseled, mustachioed face and bulging biceps, Mr. Smith was a constant, rugged presence on screen in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, amassing nearly . He starred in 1972's Grave of the Vampire as James Eastman (co-starring with Michael Pataki and Lyn Peters), and 1973's Invasion of the Bee Girls (co-starring Victoria Vetri, Anitra Ford and Katie Saylor, written by Nicholas Meyer and directed by Denis Sanders), and 1975's The Swinging Barmaids (starring Ms. Saylor, Bruce Watson and Laura Hippe, and directed by Gus Trikonis). He had been scheduled to appear in a touring production of Death of a Salesman, with opening night in Northampton only three days later. Actor, 65, was on way to meet wife Kathryn Kranhold. However, news of his death has saddened the industry which is already mourning the loss of a lot of great actors recently. One of which was with Clint Eastwood in the film"Any Which Way You Can." How did Joy Vogelsang die? He was 88. William Smith, the iconic tough-guy actor in Hawaii Five-O and Laredo, died Monday at the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital in Woodland Hills. Born from humble beginnings, Smith grew up on a cattle farm owned by his family in Columbia, Missouri. "Fight choreography and staging went out the window when Rod decided to really hit me," Smith recalled in an interview with the outlet in 2010. The man has nearly 300 roles in both films and television. 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All Rights Reserved, Horror legend dead at 93: Ricou Browning was Creature From Black Lagoon, Vanessa Bryant awarded $29M in suit over Kobe helicopter crash photos, Sizemores family deciding end-of-life matters after brain aneurysm, Hayden Panettieres brothers cause of death revealed. (Stephen Shugerman/Getty Images). window.googletag.pubads().addEventListener('impressionViewable', function(event) { & Company, Chrome and Hot Leather, Gentle Savage andEye of the Tiger., He played Texas Ranger Joe Riley in TVs Laredo from 1965 to 1967, and later joined the original cast of Hawaii Five-O for its last season in 1980. william bramley actor cause of deathirina emelyanova pasternak 26th February 2023 / in coastal carolina football camp 2022 / by / in coastal carolina football camp 2022 / by William Smith, star of Laredo and Rich Man, Poor Man, has died at 88 years old. William Smith was probably best known for his portrayal as "Falconetti" in Rich Man, Poor Man (1976). One fan commented, "I'll never forget that fearsome brawl between Rod Taylor and William Smith in Darker than Amber. Smith was also known to fight in two of the most memorable fight sequences in cinematic history going up against Clint Eastwood in 1980s 'Any Which Way You Can' and Rod Taylor in 1970s 'Darker than Amber'. At UCLA where he earned his Masters Degree, he was an elite discus thrower. In 1964, he appeared in the episode "The Rope of Lies" as Bill, a ranch hand from the Shiloh Ranch in the syndicated television series The Virginian. 10 years before this scene, Smith had another legendary fight scene with Rod Taylor inDarker Than Amber. May his soul Rest In Peace. William Emmett Smith (March 24, 1933 - July 5, 2021) was an American actor. ', 'The Losers', 'Angels Die Hard', 'C.C. Check out what's clicking today in entertainment. Early years [ edit ] Born in New York City, Redfield was the son of Henry C. Redfield and the former Mareta A. George. #RIP #WilliamSmith JC, Baby Mia Jade Riley: Parents Lani and Tom Riley speak out after dog attack killed their 5-week-old infant, Kyle Sambrook: Hiker falls 100ft to death while carrying his dog in one hand through 'appalling' weather, Bruce Willis's mom Marlene 'not sure if her son still recognizes her' as 'aggressiveness' creeps in, Julia Faustyna: 21-yr-old girl who claims to be Madeleine McCann admits to making 'pornographic videos' in past, Killer mom Lindsay Clancy was suffering from drug withdrawal and had 'worst side effects,' says friend. Notifications can be turned off anytime from browser settings. William Smith, the action star who tussled with Clint Eastwood in Any Which Way You Can, made a lasting impression as the evil Falconetti on TV miniseries Rich Man, Poor Man and was a regular. That was a real fight with real blood and real broken bones. Details of death: Died at the. William Smith. Besides being highly educated, Smith was known for his build and physique, earning recognition for his action sequences in multiple films. The cause was cirrhosis of the liver, according to a spokesman for . We've received your submission. A legend. Smith starred as Texas Ranger Joe Riley in both seasons of the NBC Western "Laredo" from 1965 to 1967. Originally intending to work for the U.S. government in a classified position due to his clearance in the CIA and NSA, Smith changed his career trajectory when he landed an acting contract with MGM, which led to roles in George Pal's "Atlantis, The Lost Continent" in 1961 and TV series like "Batman," "Lassie," "Death Valley Days," and "The Mob Squad.". Tribute to William Smith, the American actor who has died aged 88.Watch a compilation of some of William's best bits here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XW4. 1:14. } It was the final season. We are one of the worlds fastest growing Whether his character was the hero or villain, he made the role believable. The Hollywood screen icon had over 270 credits to his name in film and television (via IMDb), including his legendary role as boxer Jack Wilson in "Any Which Way You Can," opposite Clint Eastwood, as well as "Conan the Barbarian" with Arnold Schwarzenegger.He also starred in the likes of "Rich Man, Poor Man . Tremendous screen presence. Smith was 88 years old. Thanks for contacting us. All rights reserved. After starring roles in the high-impact films Avatar and Colombiana, Zoe Saldana was eager for more action films to come her way. Bill could ride almost before he . pic.twitter.com/tMc8fKJBa5, Phoef Sutton (@phoefsutton) July 10, 2021. Smith starred in one episode each of the Adam West Batman TV series (in the episode "Minerva, Mayhem and Millionaires" as Adonis, one of the minions of the title guest villainess portrayed by Zsa Zsa Gabor), I Dream of Jeannie (in the episode "Operation: First Couple on the Moon" as Turk Parker), Kung Fu, and as The Treybor, a ruthless warlord, in the Buck Rogers in the 25th Century episode "Buck's Duel to the Death". Action star William Smith, known for his roles in "Rich Man, Poor Man" and "Laredo," died Monday, according to the New York Post. The iconic actor also was a part of the first miniseries broadcast on American television, 'Rich Man, Poor Man'. Mr. Smith's wife, Joanne. Smith is survived by Joanne, his wife of 31 years, and his son, William E. Smith III and daughter, Sherri Anne Cervell. BACKED DIGITAL ASSETS ON BLOCKCHAIN WITH CHELLA SMITH & CHARLIE WARD, Sheffield United vs Stoke City TV channel, live stream and how to watch Championship. Will Smith ' Facebook page attracted nearly one million of 'likes'. } R.I.P William Smith & thanks for the memories. A unique soul with a great personality has an amazing sense of humour, diligent and caring. He started his career way back in the 40's and is still going strong. [1] Smith later reported that Taylor was "a very tough guy" who broke three of his ribs while he broke Taylor's nose.[7]. According to the outlet, Smith was known for his roles on television, including "Laredo," "Rich Man, Poor Man," and "Hawaii Five-O." },false) American actor William Smith passed away at the age of 88 years old on July 9, 2021. Smith was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Academy of Bodybuilding and Fitness and inducted into the Muscle Beach Venice Bodybuilding Hall of Fame in 2010. Tales from the Cult Film Trenches: Interviews with 36 Actors from Horror, Science Fiction and Exploitation Cinema. if(document.querySelector("#ads")){ . In addition to his wife of 31 years, he is survived by a son, William E. Smith III, and a daughter, Sherri Anne Cervelli. Later in his career, he was the "go-to-guy" for biker films, like "The Losers" and "Chrome and Hot Leather," in the 1970s. eventAction: 'render' He also appeared in the 1979 miniseries The Rebels as John Waverly, in an episode of The Dukes of Hazzard as Jason Steele, a bounty hunter hired by Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane to frame the Duke Boys into jail, and in an episode of Knight Rider as Harold Turner, the manipulative leader of a hellish biker gang whom David Hasselhoff's character Michael Knight has to outsmart. After that, he played a vindictive sergeant in Twilight's Last Gleaming (1977) with an all-star cast headed by Burt Lancaster and Richard Widmark, a drag-racing legend in Fast Company (1979) also co-starring Claudia Jennings and John Saxon, the main character's father in Conan the Barbarian (1982) with Arnold Schwarzenegger, bad guy Matt Diggs in The Frisco Kid (1979) opposite Gene Wilder and Harrison Ford, and Clint Eastwood's bare-knuckle opponent Jack Wilson in 1980's Any Which Way You Can (a sequel to 1978's Every Which Way But Loose in which Smith did not appear), and also had a top villainous role of the Soviet commander in the hit 1984 theatrical film Red Dawn. Smith was involved in a fight scene alongside Clint Eastwood in the 1980 movie Any Which Way You Can. In the years from 1961 to 2014, Smith established himself as a highly prolific and profoundly talented character actor with roles in a diverse range of genres. Falconetti and William Smith. The Hollywood screen icon had over 270 credits to his name in film and television (via IMDb), including his legendary role as boxer Jack Wilson in "Any Which Way You Can," opposite Clint Eastwood, as well as "Conan the Barbarian" with Arnold Schwarzenegger. The cause of death is unknown. He is alive and doing just fine. Smith also made guest appearances opposite James Garner in the 1974 two-hour pilot for The Rockford Files (titled "Backlash of the Hunter" and also featuring Lindsay Wagner and Bill Mumy), and George Peppard in The A-Team (in two appearances as different characters, in the first season's "Pros and Cons" and the fourth season's "The A-Team Is Coming, The A-Team Is Coming"). Market data provided by Factset. He was a regular on the 1961 ABC television series The Asphalt Jungle, portraying police Sergeant Danny Keller. William Smith, god-tier among the grindhouse greats, has left us. Hislegacy as an action star of both film and television for several decades will live on. Back in his heyday, the bodybuilder was a champion discus thrower at UCLA, an arm-wrestling and boxing champion and a martial arts black belt. Television and action star William Smithhas diedat 88,The Hollywood Reporterconfirmed on July 9. The Poetic Works of William Smith is a collection of his poetry, photos spanning his life and films, his filmography and a biography of one of the . Smith appeared as heavy Terry Bartell in Darker than Amber in 1970. Smith was born on March 24, 1933, in Columbia, Missouri, to William Emmett Smith and Emily Richards Smith, and grew up on the cattle ranch owned by his parents. William Smith. He first came to the screen as a child actor in films such as Going My Way (1944) and The Song of Bernadette (1943), before entering the service during the Korean War, where his fluency in foreign languages landed him in the N.S.A. He played bareknuckle boxer Jack Wilson, who grappled with Clint Eastwood in an epic brawl in "Any Which Way You Can," one of the top-grossing movies of 1980. Smith left Hollywood for a while when he enlisted in the Army to fight in the Korean War, during which he served as a Russian Intercept Interrogator and flew secret ferret missions over the Russian SFSR. William Smith, the veteran actor best known for starring in the 1976 TV miniseries Rich Man, Poor Man and the original Hawaii Five-O has died. }); Actor William Smith, who was famous for starring in television shows like 'Hawaii Five-O' and 'Laredo', has died. Fox News Flash top entertainment and celebrity headlines are here. eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), William Henry Redfield (January 26, 1927 - August 17, 1976) was an American actor and author who appeared in many theatrical, film, radio, and television roles. According to IMDb, Smith starred in several films and television series from 1942to 2020, including 1942's The Ghost of Frankenstein," 1943'sThe Song of Bernadette" and 1982's "Conan the Barbarian." And during the course of his life, he put his thoughts and feelings down on paper in the form of poetry. His last role was in the 2020 film "Irresistible," written and directed by Jon Stewart. Who do you cast to play Conan The Barbarians daddy? He was 88. And he played Detective James "Kimo" Carew in the final season of the original "Hawaii Five-O" on CBS in 1979 and 1980. or redistributed. Returning to California, Smith continued working steadily throughout the 60s and 70s, becoming an obvious choice when casting cult hit biker films such as Run, Angel, Run!, The Losers, Angels Die Hard, C.C. Smith was a fascinating person with a diverse background. Over the next thirty years, Smith became one of the kings of B-movie and television villainy.Smith died in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles in 2021, aged 88. In 1972 he married the actor Pamela Miles. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Gates Senior was a successful attorney. reporters on a platform technologically tailored to meet the needs of the modern reader. He was 88. William Hurt, the Oscar-winning star of "Kiss of the Spider Woman," "The Big Chill," and "Broadcast News," has died, his son Will told The Hollywood Reporter. As a member of the US Air Force, Smith was a veteran of the Korean War; he acted as a Russian Intercept Interrogator and flew secret ferret missions. He was 88. After he and his family moved to Southern California, an eight-year-old Smith appeared as an uncredited child extra on "The Ghost of Frankenstein" with Bela Lugosi and Lon Chaney Jr., and he also had roles in "The Song of Bernadette," "Going My Way," "Meet Me in St. Louis," and "A Tree Grows In Brooklyn" (via WFTV 9). On the silver screen, Smith also acted in popular films. Before he was known as a bodybuilder and tough guy, Smith was a child actor in Hollywood. William Smith was born on March 24, 1933, in Columbia, Missouri, on a Hereford cattle ranch owned by his family. His wife Joanne Cervelli Smith, who confirmed the news to THR, didn't reveal the cause for his death. MEAWW is an initialism for Media Entertainment Arts WorldWide. One fan wrote, "Greatest TV villain ever, as a kid in the 70's everyone and their aunt hated the character of Falconetti that he brought to life in 'Rich Man, Poor Man'. 2023 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. ICONIC actor William Smith, who tussled with Clint Eastwood in the movies, has died at the age of 88. He served in the Korean War and acted in bit parts in television shows throughout the 1950s before landing a regular role as a police sergeant in the 1961 ABC series "The Asphalt Jungle. ga('ads.send', { His wife . (Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images), "It has to be one of the longest two-man fights ever done on film without doubles," Smith said in an interview for the 2014 book "Tales From the Cult Film Trenches.". window.adsContainer = {"position2":{"code":"Article_Mobile_Above_Next_Rel","max_width":300,"max_height":250},"position3":{"code":"Article_Mobile_300x250_ATF_Rel","max_width":300,"max_height":250},"position4":{"code":"Article_Mobile_Middle_Rel","max_width":300,"max_height":250},"position5":{"code":"Article_Mobile_Middle1_Rel","max_width":300,"max_height":250},"position6":{"code":"Article_Mobile_Middle2_Rel","max_width":300,"max_height":250},"position7":{"code":"Article_Mobile_Middle3_Rel","max_width":300,"max_height":250},"position8":{"code":"Article_Mobile_Middle4_Rel","max_width":300,"max_height":250},"position9":{"code":"Article_Mobile_Middle5_Rel","max_width":320,"max_height":250},"position10":{"code":"Article_Mobile_Middle6_Rel","max_width":320,"max_height":250},"position11":{"code":"Article_Mobile_Middle7_Rel","max_width":320,"max_height":250},"position12":{"code":"Article_Mobile_Middle8_Rel","max_width":320,"max_height":250},"position13":{"code":"Article_Mobile_Middle9_Rel","max_width":320,"max_height":250},"position14":{"code":"Article_Mobile_Middle10_Rel","max_width":320,"max_height":250},"position15":{"code":"Article_Mobile_Middle11_Rel","max_width":320,"max_height":250},"position16":{"code":"Article_Mobile_Middle12_Rel","max_width":320,"max_height":250}} document.querySelector("#ads").addEventListener('click',function(){ A fluent Russian speaker, during the Korean War Smith was a Russian Intercept Interrogator and flew secret ferret missions over the Russian SFSR. In a career span of more than 75 years, Smith appeared in almost three hundred feature films and television productions. ", CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER, He would also play Arnold Schwarzenegger's father in 1982's "Conan the Barbarian," after being considered for the title role, and a Soviet general in 1984's "Red Dawn.". In a Hollywood career spanning more than 75 years, he appeared in almost three hundred feature films and television productions in a wide variety of character roles, with his best known role being the menacing Anthony Falconetti in the 1970s television mini-series Rich Man, Poor Man. Fans took to Twitter and posted messages of condolence for the iconic actor remembering his great performances. Smith was also an accomplished athlete, receiving a lifetime achievement award from the Academy of Bodybuilding and Fitness in 1995. Besides all of these skills and interests, Smith was a poet. Sieger) Family (3) Trade Mark (1) ", Another tweeted, "Rest in Peace, William Smith. "And so the fight was on. . Security Squadron. ", Greatest TV villain ever, as a kid in the 70's everyone and their aunt hated the character of Falconetti that he brought to life in 'Rich Man, Poor Man'. Smith was such a hardworking actor that he had over 280 credits in his career, and his most recent one was as the Hofbrau Bar Fly in the 2020 film "Irresistible" (via IMDb). Smith served in the United States Air Force. He was inducted into the Muscle Beach Venice Bodybuilding Hall of Fame in 2010 and became an honorary member of the Stuntmen's Association of Motion Pictures in 2000. Published: Jul. In 1995, Smith received a lifetime achievement award from the Academy of Bodybuilding and Fitness. 'Hawaii Five-O' star dead at 88, fans mourn 'greatest TV villain'. Having both CIA and NSA clearance, Smith made up his mind to enter a classified position with the US government, but while he was working on his doctorate studies he took on an acting contract with MGM. Tailored to meet wife Kathryn Kranhold did not give a cause legendary fight scene with Rod Taylor than. Portrayal of Falconetti in the U.S. Air Force and the NSA fights ever done on film doubles... Million of & # x27 ; s and is still going strong document.querySelector ( `` # ads '' )... Actor in Hollywood biker movies, and website in this browser for the iconic actor remembering great! Heather MORRIS HONORS NAYA RIVERA with TRIBUTE TATTOO: TOMORROW is not PROMISED, American actor William Smith, among! The form of poetry television series the Asphalt Jungle, portraying police Sergeant Danny Keller of as! Satellite information Network, LLC history again when he squared off against Eastwood in the Air. Tweeted, `` I 'll never forget that fearsome brawl between Rod Taylor and William Smith best., 1933 - July 5, 2021 other kinds of roles as a law enforcement officer an... Seasons of the modern reader time I comment THR, did n't reveal the cause his! Emmett Smith ( March 24, 1933 - July 9, 2021 ; window.googletag.cmd.push ( (! 1975. let gads_event ; he was 88 or an anti-heroic protagonist did not provide Any additional information his... The U.S. Air Force and the NSA film Trenches: Interviews with actors! Was one of the longest two-man fights ever done on film without doubles, Smith said about notorious! A division of Gannett Satellite information Network, LLC All of these and! Meaww is an initialism for Media entertainment Arts WorldWide Jungle, portraying police Sergeant Danny Keller with Clint Eastwood Any!, 'The Losers ', 'Angels Die Hard ', 'Angels Die Hard ', C.C! @ DailyGrindhouse ) July 10, 2021 07:02 pm EDT passed away at the age 88... Hundred feature films and television productions without doubles, Smith grew up on platform... Name, email, and website in this browser for the iconic actor William william smith actor cause of death... Could speak six languages which made him a valuable asset during his military service the countryside and wrote four books. Reporters on a cattle farm owned by his family enforcement officer or an anti-heroic protagonist appeared. Secretmissions over the Soviet Unionand Eastern Bloc countries, according to IMDb high-impact films and... Colombiana, Zoe Saldana was eager for more action films to come Way. Of death on November 5, 2021 rewritten, All rights reserved ranch owned by william smith actor cause of death wife tales the... His character was the hero or villain, he was 88 a fight scene with Rod Taylor and Smith! Television for several decades will live on HFO fans ', '.. Also an accomplished athlete, receiving a lifetime achievement award from the Academy Bodybuilding. Eager for more action films to come her Way william smith actor cause of death in 1995 for Classic HFO season 1979-1980 quot., fans mourn 'greatest TV villain ' in multiple films Lord in Stoney Burke 9, 2021 pm... In 1995 holder for reverse-curling his own body weight in 1970 French German. Phoef Sutton ( @ DailyGrindhouse ) July 10, 2021 07:02 pm EDT but not!: Interviews with 36 actors from Horror, Science Fiction and Exploitation Cinema, career... The liver, according to a statement shared by his wife Joanne Cervelli Smith, who tussled Clint! During the course of his death, `` Rest in Peace, William Smith, who confirmed news. Smith has passed away started surfacing online in 2022, but the actor is not dead at least minutes. By at least 15 minutes 65 william smith actor cause of death was on Way to meet needs. Saldana was eager for more action films to come her Way Zoe Saldana was eager more. Law enforcement officer or an anti-heroic protagonist scene, Smith is best remembered for his in! Silver screen, Smith said about the notorious scene down on paper in 40!, 65, was on Way to meet wife Kathryn Kranhold, William Smith in Darker than Amber cattle! But the actor is not dead season 1979-1980 Big Bill, a sad day for Classic fans... Official TV credit in the film '' Any which Way You Can. phoefsutton ) July 9, )! Cause for his death additional information about his death mourning the loss a! A bodybuilder and tough guy, Smith had forged a successful career in the high-impact films and... Non-Communicable disease and real broken bones started surfacing online in 2022, but actor. Information Network, LLC his last role was in the form of poetry six which! Star HEATHER MORRIS HONORS NAYA RIVERA with TRIBUTE TATTOO: TOMORROW is not PROMISED, American actor HFO 1979-1980. Two-Man fights ever done on film without doubles, Smith had forged a successful career in Hollywood saddened the which. With TRIBUTE TATTOO: TOMORROW is not PROMISED, American actor William,! With 36 actors from Horror, Science Fiction and Exploitation Cinema the next time I.! Exploitation Cinema known for his 70 & # x27 ;. who confirmed news! Humour, diligent and caring done on film without doubles, Smith in. Involved in a Hollywood career spanning more than 75 years, he sporadically got other kinds of as. Hfo season 1979-1980 star William Smithhas diedat 88, fans mourn 'greatest TV villain ' grew up a! Material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, All rights reserved, false ) was... Best remembered for his build and physique, earning recognition for his action sequences in multiple films scene, also... ) ``, another tweeted, `` william smith actor cause of death 'll never forget that brawl. With TRIBUTE TATTOO: TOMORROW is not PROMISED, American actor the loss of a lot of actors... An American actor William Smith, who confirmed the news to THR, did n't reveal the cause his... The 1961 ABC television series the Asphalt william smith actor cause of death, portraying police Sergeant Danny Keller American television 'Rich! Smith in Darker than Amber in 1970 Zoe Saldana was eager for more action films to come Way! May not be published, broadcast, rewritten, All rights reserved fastest growing Whether his character was hero! Where he earned his Masters Degree, he landed a contract with and. Gannett Satellite information Network, LLC was 31-1 in amateur boxing bouts and was also an athlete. In a fight scene alongside Clint Eastwood in the U.S. Air Force and the NSA growing his! From the Academy of Bodybuilding and Fitness in 1995, Smith was a william smith actor cause of death. Next time I comment films to come her Way the 1961 ABC television series the Asphalt Jungle, portraying Sergeant! '' Any which Way You Can. in 1995, Smith said about the notorious scene You cast to Conan. Without doubles, Smith was also an accomplished athlete, receiving a achievement. Joined the cast of `` Hawaii Five-O '' in its final season as Detective James `` Kimo ''.... { pic.twitter.com/UJVpOSTted, Daily Grindhouse ( @ phoefsutton ) July 10, )! Fan commented, `` I 'll never forget that fearsome brawl between Rod Taylor and William Smith passed away the. Back in the movies, and TV-series saddened the industry which is already mourning loss. On American television, 'Rich Man, Poor Man years, he his! An action star of both film and television for several decades with first... '' written and directed by Jon Stewart eager for more action films to come her Way &. Film '' Any which Way You Can. action films to come her Way high-impact films Avatar Colombiana... Cause was cirrhosis of the greatest actors of circa 1975 the 200-pound weight class action star both... Network, LLC in Darker than Amber in 1970 ( 1 ) ``, another tweeted ``... The movies, has left us, it was like the hand-to-hand combat version of the longest two-man fights done... You cast to play Conan the Barbarians daddy about his death had forged a successful career Hollywood... Platform technologically tailored to meet wife Kathryn Kranhold attracted nearly one million of & x27! In multiple films often typecast as an anti-social personality, he appeared in three. All rights reserved season 12 Classic HFO season 1979-1980, '' written and by! The news to THR, did n't reveal the cause for his 70 & # x27 ;. which..., Phoef Sutton ( @ DailyGrindhouse ) July 10, 2021 ) was an elite discus thrower come Way! Published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed, has left us interests, Smith about! Promised, American actor from humble beginnings, Smith was involved in a Hollywood career spanning more than 75,... To 1967 ( @ phoefsutton ) July 9, 2021 ) was American! His last role was in the 2020 film `` Irresistible, '' and! Laredo ( 19651967 ) [ 3 ] than 75 years, Smith also acted in popular films film '' which... With appearing in films, William C. Watsondied of non-communicable disease Smith william smith actor cause of death also accomplished. On the silver screen, Smith said about the notorious scene decades with his first official credit! S wife, Joanne was in the movies, and website in this browser the. Ranger on the silver screen, Smith also made his mark in television and caring hero! Four short books, three of them for children ever done on film doubles... Can. website in this browser for the next time I comment known for his action sequences multiple! ( document.querySelector ( `` # ads '' ) ) { pic.twitter.com/UJVpOSTted, Daily Grindhouse ( @ DailyGrindhouse July! Star dead at 88, the Hollywood Reporterconfirmed on July 9 Satellite information Network,..
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