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. William Foster, Age 20 (Johnson C Smith University) The Courier Journal's database of sudden death in sports since 1909. ICONIC actor William Smith, who tussled with Clint Eastwood in the movies, has died at the age of 88. He was a polyglot, a bodybuilder, a champion discus thrower and an Air Force pilot during the Korean War, according to his website. 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'. Cause of death was teething. ', 'The Losers', 'Angels Die Hard', 'C.C. Smith is also known for films like Any Which Way You Can (1980), Conan the Barbarian (1982), Rumble Fish (1983), and Red Dawn (1984), as well as lead roles in several exploitation films during the 1990s.[2]. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. He had 18-inch biceps and could do 5,100 continuous sit-ups and reverse-curl 163 pounds all of which helped solidify the 6-foot-2-inch man as one of Hollywoods legendary tough guys, along with the list of his 289 credits on Internet Movie Database (IMDb.com). You wouldnt change things even if you could Robin Williams died on August 11, 2014, at age 63 by suicide, according to a coroner's report released after his death. 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. Keep up with the latest trending news in sports with our daily newsletter. Fans took to Twitter and posted messages of condolence for the iconic actor remembering his great performances. The Sun is your go to destination for the best celebrity news, football news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. } In 1972 and 1975, respectively, he appeared in two popular Blaxploitation films, Hammer and the controversially titled Boss Nigger, both with Fred Williamson. She declined to give the cause of death. He could "ride almost before he could walk" (via his . Smith, a prolific actor with nearly 300 credits on his IMDb profile, starred alongside fellow bodybuilder Arnold Schwarzenegger in Conan the Barbarian and spoke fluent Russian in Red Dawn. 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. The star's ex-wife, Sheree Fletcher , shared the news via Instagram on Monday, November 7. Television and action star William Smithhas diedat 88,The Hollywood Reporterconfirmed on July 9. william smith actor cause of deathchannel 13 weather girl pregnant; william smith actor cause of deathphiladelphia inmate mugshots; william smith actor cause of deathhanalei hat company Smith used a ball-and-chain belt on Brynner in the climax ofThe Ultimate Warrior, and his character ends up falling down a chute filled with rodents. Smith was born in Columbia, MO, in . let gads_event; Im watching him now In a bunch of old 70s biker movies .. another surprise. Smith is best known for his role on 'American Gladiators' but spent time as a bodybuilder at a young age. }); Nicholas William Smith, 20, of Dallas, Texas passed away unexpectedly on January 10, 2017. Falconetti and William Smith. In the 1980s, the 6-foot-2 actor earned roles in Francis Ford Coppolas The Outsiders, (1983) and in Conan the Barbarian (1982), for which he was cast as the father of Conan, who was played by Arnold Schwarzenegger. After returning to California, Smith continued acting and starred in films like 'Run, Angel, Run! Here is all you want to know, and more! The 88 year old's cause of death is unknown; he died at the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital in Woodland Hills, California. William Smith, Action Star Known for His Onscreen Brawls, Dies at 88, https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/11/arts/television/william-smith-dead.html. pg.acq.push(function() { Fletcher, 48, posted a throwback photo of Smith . 2023 The Hollywood Reporter, LLC. In 1967, Smith guest starred as Jude Bonner on James Arness's long-lived western Gunsmoke. He worked 12 hours a day and then he walked two miles. Mr. Smith's wife . His character was a boxer named Jack Smith. }); In excellent shape and healthy living. An inquest has been held into the death of a much loved Cotswolds school headmaster whose former pupils included Princess Anne's daughter Zara Tindall, record breaking mountaineer Jake Meyer, rugby star Nick Abendanon and film director Oliver Guy-Watkins. Along with appearing in films, William Smith also made his mark in television. The iconic actor also was a part of the first miniseries broadcast on American television, 'Rich Man, Poor Man'. One . 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Jerry Springer revealed his single happiest moment in final interview before death, Stew Leonard, founder of famous grocery chain, dies at 93 after brief illness, Jerry Springer had a fitting, epic cameo in The Simpsons episode, Jerry Springer mourned by celebs and fans: A cultural icon dead at 79. #RIP #WilliamSmith JC, Demi Moore has not left Bruce Willis's side and is doing everything to make his 'last moments happy', 'Stop it!' InAny Which Way You Can(1980), Smiths Jack Wilson squares off with Clint Eastwoods Philo Beddoe in a long bare-knuckle bout through the streets and restaurants of Wyoming. Unsubscribe at any time. William Smith, an action star from classic films like "Any Which Way You Can" and "Red Dawn," died on Monday. from Batman, Robin and Batgirl. Deadly Games: Sudden death in athletes. While under contract with MGM, Willaim accepted roles in western and biker-themed flicks and TV shows, such as Gunsmoke and The Virginian. CBS. eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), Smith began his long Hollywood career as a child actor in the '40s, when his family moved to . July 11, 2021. Smith began his long Hollywood career as a child actor in the 40s, when his family moved to Southern California from the Dust Bowl. 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". Copyright 2023 /The Celebrity Deaths.com/All Rights Reserved. pg.acq.push(function() { At the time of his death, the culmination of William Smith's earnings as an actor and his many other ventures led to a net worth of around $7 million, according to Famous People Net Worth. Kate and William share sweet unseen snap from family day out to mark the 12th anniversary of their . }); He was born in Chicago, Illinois on November 8, 1996. Death record, obituary, funeral notice and information about the deceased person The trailer called it the most knuckle-busting, gut-wrenching, brain-scrambling, butt-bruising, lip-splitting brawl of all time., It has to be one of the longest two-man fights ever done on film without doubles, Smith said in an interview for Louis Pauls 2014 bookTales From the Cult Film Trenches. 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. Now that was a good fight, Mr. Smith recalled in a 2010 interview with BZ Film. Smith enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1951, won a boxing championship and served in the Korean War. Will Smith, a former first-round pick in the NFL who played for the New Orleans Saints' Super Bowl-winning team, was shot to death after a traffic incident on April 9. First, as Texas Ranger Joe Riley in two seasons of "Laredo." eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), "Any Which Way You Can" Star William Smith Cause of Death. This man was one of the best actors Ive ever seen. window.googletag.pubads().addEventListener('slotOnload', function(event) { }); Smith served in the United States Air Force. eventAction: 'load' No cause of death was immediately made public. Before he was known as a bodybuilder and tough guy, Smith was a child actor in Hollywood. Perhaps most well known for his portrayal of Anthony Falconetti in the miniseries Rich Man, Poor Man, he was also notable for his role as James Kimo Carew in Hawaii Five-O, as well as for his work in The Virginian; The Asphalt Jungle; Laredo; and Zero One. In an excerpt from The Reaper, he wrote: Youve done some bad and youve done some good eventAction: 'click_image_ads' eventAction: 'click_adunit' Smith had three broken ribs, and Taylor had a broken nose. Smith started in the 1940s as a child actor. Advertisement With his chiseled, mustachioed face and bulging biceps, Smith was a constant, rugged presence on screen in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s . 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.". 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. No cause of death was immediately made public. He did all his own stunts. Smith was a fascinating person with a diverse background. ga('ads.send', { The 6-foot-2 Smith, who was a champion discus thrower at UCLA, an arm-wrestling champion and a black belt in the martial arts, had 18-inch biceps and could do 5,100 continuous sit-ups and reverse curl 163 pounds. We shot it in Jackson, Wyoming, which is about 8,000 feet high in altitude, and I was smoking so hard at the time.. William Smith, god-tier among the grindhouse greats, has left us. We've received your submission. In the 1976 television miniseries Rich Man, Poor Man, he portrayed Anthony Falconetti, nemesis of the Jordache family, and reprised the role in the sequel, Rich Man, Poor Man Book II. 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}} According to the outlet, Smith was known for his roles on television, including "Laredo," "Rich Man, Poor Man," and "Hawaii Five-O." The 6-foot-2 Smith, who was a champion discus thrower at UCLA, an . R.I.P William Smith & thanks for the memories. Biography - A Short Wiki. eventAction: 'render' Those uncredited roles early in his career served as motivation for him to make it big, but Smith also did not give up on his schooling. William Hurt, a leading man of 1980s Hollywood who rose to stardom as a cocky but indolent lawyer in "Body Heat," won an Oscar for playing a gay man jailed under a South American dictatorship . Prior to his time in the military and his eventual contract with MGM, Smith did have a substantial amount of experience in Hollywood as a youngster. He was 88. He was 88. if(document.querySelector("#ads")){ Keep on reading to find out more about one of Smith's most memorable moments on set. "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. It was the final season. In 1985, Smith landed the starring role of Brodie Hollister in the short-lived Disney Western series Wildside, created by writer-producer Tom Greene, and another role as the bookmaker Dutchman's strongarm enforcer known simply as "Panama Hat", in director Richard Brooks's final movie, Fever Pitch (1985) opposite Ryan O'Neal. and Company(1970), starring Joe Namath and Ann-Margret; inChrome and Hot Leather(1971), opposite Marvin Gaye; and inGentle Savage(1973) andEye of the Tiger(1986). 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). Fluent in Russian, German, French and Serbo-Croatian, he caught the eye of the CIA and NSA, which gave him a teaching position within the agencies. 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. He was in 1982sConan the Barbarian alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger and had his last acting credit just last year as Hofbrau Bar Fly in 2020s Irresistible with Steve Carell and Rose Byrne. He was also famous as televisions last tobacco-advertising Marlboro Man. William Smith, an actor known for his portrayals of villains and his onscreen movie brawls, died on July 5 in Woodland Hills, Calif. . Two years later, he worked on the BBC seriesZero One(its title was the call-sign of the International Air Security Agency) with Nigel Patrick. He was a regular on the 1961 ABC television series The Asphalt Jungle, portraying police Sergeant Danny Keller. The TV actor William Smith died at the age of 88. Robin Williams was found dead in his home on August 11, 2014 at the age of 63. William Smith, who fought Clint Eastwood in Any Which Way You Can, . ABCsRich Man, Poor Man, which premiered in February 1976, was the first miniseries broadcast on American television (it precededRootsby 11 months) and was an adaptation of the Irwin Shaw novel about two German-American brothers (Peter Strauss and Nick Nolte) and their lives after World War II. William Smith. if(document.querySelector("#adunit")){ His autopsy revealed that he was suffering from a neurological disorder . His marriage to Michele Smith produced one child before ending in divorce; he later married Joanne Cervelli. In 2009, he published The Poetic Works of William Smith. Ms. Smith said in a phone interview on Sunday that besides the tough guy roles that made her husband a star onscreen, he had a compassionate side as well. Young actors often would talk to him between workout sets, and he would share advice, sometimes inviting them to his home to discuss upcoming auditions. William Smith (March 24, 1933 - July 5, 2021) was an American actor. Thanks for contacting us. Now that was a good fight!. In Rich Man, Poor Man, he played the dangerous and eccentric character Anthony Falconetti, which he would later reprise in a follow-up to the series, Rich Man, Poor Man Book II.. May 14, 2009. William 'Billy' Smith, known as Thunder, has passed away at the age of 56. He was a go-to-guy when casting for biker films, starring in director Jack StarrettsRun, Angel, Run! } ga('ads.send', { ", A fourth commentator added: "REMEMBER HIM WELLalways thought he should be a leading man with his looksbut seemed always the slightly sleazy tough guyRIP 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. 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. Create a personalized profile and stay informed with tailored email notifications. 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. "And so the fight was on. Whoopi Goldberg interrupts 'The View' live segment, raises her voice and hits co-host, Baywatch star Jeremy Jacksons ex-wife Loni Willison spotted looking for food in LA waste, 'Liza took a final breath and sighed': Liza Burke, 21, dies 6 weeks after stage 4 cancer diagnosis, 'Go for a size bigger': Honey Boo Boo slammed for flaunting 'tight' prom dress with boyfriend Dralin Carswell. The cause of the actor's death is unknown yet. As a sadistic bodybuilder inDarker Than Amber(1970), he participated in a violent free-for-all with Taylor that is regarded as one of the most realistic of all time. He was also a bodybuilder, discus thrower, an arm-wrestling champion, and served as a volunteer firefighter in California. That was a real fight with real blood and real broken bones. #RIP #WilliamSmith. Then he would work out for two hours.. In 2009, Smith published The Poetic Works of William Smith. (1969) andThe Losers(1970); inAngels Die Hard(1970), from Roger Cormans New World Pictures; inC.C. At UCLA where he earned his Masters Degree, he was an elite discus thrower. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Smith died Monday in Woodland Hills, calif. Glossip is set to die for the 1997 murder of Barry Van Treese, owner of the Best Budget Inn in Oklahoma City. document.querySelector("#google_image_div").addEventListener('click',function(){ Although it was reported that Smith retired from film in 2014 with his last screen appearance, he did make a cameo appearance in the Steve Carell comedy, Irresistible (2020). [1] His family later moved to Southern California, where he began his acting career at the age of eight in 1942; entering films as a child actor in such films as The Ghost of Frankenstein, The Song of Bernadette and Meet Me in St. Louis. His family later moved to Southern California, and Mr. Smith immediately began to seek work in films, finding jobs as a child performer and later as a studio extra. The Reaper chased and couldnt keep your pace As a child, William became interested in the local fossils . Also interred in the grave is his mother's sister Anne and her children James, Samuel, William. },false) reporters on a platform technologically tailored to meet the needs of the modern reader. So insanely violent for its time. }); Who do you cast to make Clint Eastwood break a sweat in a fistfight? Mr. Smith had more than 300 acting credits listed on IMDb from 1954 to 2020. PerDeadline, Smith began his path to stardom as an extra in 1942's "The Ghost of Frankenstein," and although Smith didn't receive credit for the small role, he got more opportunities, acting in "The Song of Bernadette" and "Meet Me in St. Louis," shortly after, perIMDb. He was an uncredited child extra on set with Bela Lugosi and Lon Chaney Jr. inThe Ghost of Frankenstein(1942) and showed up inThe Song of Bernadette(1943),Going My Way(1944),Meet Me in St. Louis(1944) andA Tree Grows in Brooklyn(1945). "It is with great sadness we report . Country music . William Smith, an actor known for his portrayals of villains and his onscreen movie brawls, died on July 5 in Woodland Hills, Calif. He spent his early days in Columbia, Missouri. Sign up to comment on articles, engage with fellow sports fans, and contribute to high-quality discussions. A.I. ga('ads.send', { William Smith was in the Season 12 Classic HFO season 1979-1980. William Smith, the burly character actor known for playing tough guys and fighting Clint Eastwood in the 1980 film Any Which Way You Can, has died at the age of 88. ", Another tweeted, "A sad day for Classic HFO fans. The Hollywood Reporter is a part of Penske Media Corporation. 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. Help us maintain a respectful and inclusive community. The actor also played Detective James "Kimo" Carew in the final 1979 season of Hawaii Five-O. hitType: 'event', One fan commented, "I'll never forget that fearsome brawl between Rod Taylor and William Smith in Darker than Amber. April | 92 views, 4 likes, 1 loves, 6 comments, 0 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from St. Thomas Episcopal Church: 10:30AM Worship in the Nave at St.. She did not want to reveal the cause of death. 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. Nicholas William. One of those great men you thought would live forever. 1996 - 2017. He held a BA from Syracuse and an MA in Russian Studies from UCLA. Rest in Prominence & Peace, Big Bill. . Smith was infamously known for fighting with Clint Eastwood in Any Which Way You Can, a 1980 movie. William Smith remembered as 'greatest TV villain ever' Fans took to Twitter and posted messages of condolence for the iconic actor remembering his great performances. William Emmett Smith (March 24, 1933 July 5, 2021) was an American actor. 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. She did not want to reveal the cause of death. He was 88. William's final appearance in his film career was in the comedyIrresistible, which starred Steve Carell. "They ask for your privacy while grieving this unsurmountable loss." 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.". Calif. A cause of death was . "He was William (Big Bill) Smith, who played a lot of motorcycle gang leaders in films of the late 1960s and still looks as fearsome as ever. How did Joy Vogelsang die? To me, it was like the hand-to-hand combat version of the Battle of Bloody Porch. hitType: 'event', Back in 1942, William started his professional career as an eight-year-old child actor in The Ghost of Frankenstein, according to Deadline. ga('ads.send', { Will Smith's father, Willard Carroll Smith Sr., has died. He was throwing punches with Rod Taylor for the 1970 film Darker Than Amber when the two began fighting each other for real. 226, 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=1152562587, This page was last edited on 1 May 2023, at 00:21. 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. In a career span of more than 75 years, Smith appeared in almost three hundred feature films and television productions. Deadline noted that Smithpursued higher educationin Syracuse, Munich, and Paris before he graduated Cum Laude from UCLA, earning a master's degree. hitType: 'event', Good actor ! Smith was involved in a fight scene alongside Clint Eastwood in the 1980 movie Any Which Way You Can. During the Korean War in the early '50s, Smith was "flying on secret missions over Russia and other Eastern Bloc countries" (via his official site), and could speak fluently in Russian, German, French, and Serbo-Croatian. May his soul Rest In Peace. Actor William Smith known for his many film and television roles since breaking into acting as a child star in the 1940s died on July 5, 2021. Smith is survived by his wife, son, William E. Smith III, and daughter, Sherri Anne Cervelli. }) }) All Rights Reserved. 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.

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