ICONIC actor William Smith, who tussled with Clint Eastwood in the movies, has died at the age of 88. }); Scuba Certification; Private Scuba Lessons; Scuba Refresher for Certified Divers; Try Scuba Diving; Enriched Air Diver (Nitrox) Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. 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. Good actor ! pic.twitter.com/rFPAKrQm1q, Just found out that one of my favorite, super talented character actors from my childhood passed away on Monday.William Smith was in films like The Outsiders, Rumble Fish, and Any Which Way You Can. He was throwing punches with Rod Taylor for the 1970 film Darker Than Amber when the two began fighting each other for real. eventAction: 'click_image_ads' Deadline noted that Smithpursued higher educationin Syracuse, Munich, and Paris before he graduated Cum Laude from UCLA, earning a master's degree. In 1972 and 1975, respectively, he appeared in two popular Blaxploitation films, Hammer and the controversially titled Boss Nigger, both with Fred Williamson. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! 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. Smith was a working actor for over 70 . }) eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), She did not specify the cause. Who do you cast to play Conan The Barbarians daddy? Action junkies and film enthusiasts shared their love for William on the web. [1] Other 1970s TV appearances included the Kolchak: The Night Stalker episode "The Energy Eater", as an Indian medicine man who advises Kolchak, and an early Six Million Dollar Man episode "Survival of the Fittest" as Commander Maxwell. William Emmett Smith (March 24, 1933 July 5, 2021) was an American actor. ga('ads.send', { Smith's wife, Joanne Cervelli Smith, said the star. She declined to give the cause of death. 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 on . 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. THE COLD WIRE IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF COLD WIRE MEDIA. LOS ANGELES (AP) _ John Smith, who changed his name from Robert Earl Van Orden as a joke, then gained starring roles in the TV westerns ``Laramie and ``Cimarron City, has died at age 63. or redistributed. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Saving Private Ryan actor Tom Sizemore dead at 61 after brain aneurysm, Coley Laffoon honors late ex-wife Anne Heche in birthday post to son, Forensic expert doubts homicide claims from Aaron Carters mother, Jazz legend dead: Grammy-winning visionary composer was 89. Tales from the Cult Film Trenches: Interviews with 36 Actors from Horror, Science Fiction and Exploitation Cinema. William Smith, an action star from classic films like "Any Which Way You Can" and "Red Dawn," died on Monday. He was 31-1 in amateur boxing bouts and was also an accomplished arm wrestler, winning multiple championships in the 200-pound weight class. Smith is survived by Joanne, his wife of 31 years, and his son, William E. Smith III and daughter, Sherri Anne Cervell. 'Hawaii Five-O' star dead at 88, fans mourn 'greatest TV villain'. One of those great men you thought would live forever. William Smith is just that. Actor William Smith, known for playing bikers, cowboys and brawlers in a series of television shows and hit movies, has died. Smith was a fascinating person with a diverse background. Born in Columbia, Missouri on March 24, 1933, Smith debuted as a child actor in 1942 in films like 'The Ghost of Frankenstein', 'The Song of Bernadette' and 'Meet Me in St. Louis' at the age of 8. R.I.P William Smith & thanks for the memories. 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"). With his chiseled . Throughout his life, he was interested in bodybuilding and boxing. Laredo star William Smith died on Monday at the age of 88. 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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. In 1995, Smith received a lifetime achievement award from the Academy of Bodybuilding and Fitness. William was born on his mother's 38th birthday. Action star William Smith, known for his roles in "Rich Man, Poor Man" and "Laredo," died Monday, according to the New York Post. Smith also fought legendary actor and filmmaker Clint Eastwood in "Any Which Way You Can," which was "the longest two-man fights ever done on film" without the use of stunt doubles. Smith's wife, Joanne Cervelli Smith, confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter that the actor died Monday, at the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital in Woodland Hills, Calif. A. 5 William Smith has died Credit: CBS 5 William fought Clint in Any Which Way You Can Credit: Alamy Smith started in the 1940s as a child actor. Loved his performances as Joe Riley in the TV series #Laredo ('65-'67), & in particular in the season 2 episode, 'The Bitter Yen of General Ti,' with Irene Tsu. He speaks five languages, was an award-winning bodybuilder . 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'. However, his first role was an uncredited one where he played a village boy in "The Ghost of Frankenstein" in 1942. 2023 COLD WIRE MEDIA. May his soul Rest In Peace. }); 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. 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. He was 88 years old. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. William Smith was born on March 24, 1933, in Columbia, Missouri, on a Hereford cattle ranch owned by his family. So insanely violent for its time. Personal Quotes (2) Sammy [ Sammy Davis Jr.] was really good friends with Peter Brown. Smith died on July 5 at the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital in Woodland Hills, California. He was 88. His other movie appearances include Darker Than Amber (1970), The Frisco Kid (1979), The Outsiders (1983), and Red Dawn (1984) in a career with more than 300 acting credits. He was 88. Your email address will not be published. hitType: 'event', Smith was a fascinating guy who had many interests that extended beyond acting. "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'. RIP, Big Bill. "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. Spoke fluent French, Italian, and Russian. His character was a boxer named Jack Smith. William Smith. His wife,. William Smith, an actor known for his portrayals of villains and his onscreen movie brawls, died on July 5 in Woodland Hills, Calif. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. The Conan the Barbarian actor played the title characters father and played his scenes opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger. ICONIC actor William Smith, who tussled with Clint Eastwood in the movies, has died at the age of 88. A legend. Had one son (William Emmett Smith III) with first wife, Michele Smith, and one daughter (Sherri Anne Cervelli DOB: April 24, 1980) with his second wife, Joanne Cervelli. 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". With his chiseled, mustachioed face and bulging biceps, Smith was a constant, rugged presence on screen in . In 2009, Mr. Smith published a book of poetry, The Poetic Works of William Smith.. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. View. [1], Smith died at the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital in Los Angeles, on July 5, 2021, at the age of 88. Fox News Flash top entertainment and celebrity headlines are here. Hislegacy as an action star of both film and television for several decades will live on. One of those great men you thought would live forever. Rest in Prominence & Peace, Big Bill. ", "To me, it was like the hand-to-hand combat version of the Battle of Bloody Porch. One of the great ones. Despite not receiving the best reviews, film critic Roger Ebert enjoyed the pair acting together. Market data provided by Factset. He could speak six languages which made him a valuable asset during his military service. He had previously appeared with Jack Lord in Stoney Burke. Details of death: Died at the. 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. hitType: 'event', He died. She declined to give the cause of death. Besides all of these skills and interests, Smith was a poet. } The Duke and Duchess are not as 'stunned' about the . Melissa Roberto covers entertainment at Foxnews.com. Smith was a U.S. Air Force veteran of the Korean War. 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. ga('ads.send', { pic.twitter.com/UJVpOSTted, Daily Grindhouse (@DailyGrindhouse) July 9, 2021. window.googletag.pubads().addEventListener('slotOnload', function(event) { On the big screen, Smith had a memorable brawl with Clint Eastwood in Any Which Way You Can (1980) and played Conans father in Conan the Barbarian (1982) after being considered for the lead role. Who do you cast to make Clint Eastwood break a sweat in a fistfight? RIP: Famous actor and athlete William Smith, star of such titles as Laredo and Rich Man, Poor Man, has died at the age of 88; seen here circa 1975 In 1976, Smith was also part of the first miniseries on American television, "Rich Man, Poor Man" on ABC. and Company', 'Chrome and Hot Leather,' 'Gentle Savage' and 'Eye of the Tiger'. Actor William Smith, who played cowboys, brawlers and no-nonsense tough guys in nearly 300 films and television shows, has died at 88 . hitType: 'event', 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). He was so convincing as a villain that people attacked him in the streets! eventAction: 'render' Smith was a fascinating person with a diverse background. So insanely violent for its time. Hes definitely tough as nails but he had the heart of a poet, she said. He was 88. According to the outlet, Smith was known for his roles on television, including "Laredo," "Rich Man, Poor Man," and "Hawaii Five-O." 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Here is all you want to know, and more! Here are three cold hard facts about William Smith. document.querySelector("#adunit").addEventListener('click',function(){ Copyright 2023 /The Celebrity Deaths.com/All Rights Reserved. window.googletag.cmd.push(function() { Im watching him now In a bunch of old 70s biker movies .. another surprise. According to Famous Net Worth, William Smith was worth $7 million when he died. AIR Awareness Outreach; AIR Business Lunch & Learn; AIR Community of Kindness; AIR Dogs: Paws For Minds AIR Hero AIR & NJAMHAA Conference She also penned onFacebook, "My heart hurts so badly.". He was 88. eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), But he is so much more than just an actor. 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. 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. pg.acq.push(function() { ga('ads.send', { Your email address will not be published. In 1972, he appeared in a Columbo episode "The Greenhouse Jungle" as Ken Nichols, a handsome swindler who may be a person of interest in Columbo's murder investigation. It has to be one of the longest two-man fights ever done on film without doubles.. Get breaking news alerts& today's headlines inyour inbox. }); After returning to California, Smith continued acting and starred in films like 'Run, Angel, Run! pg.acq.push(function() { Rod is a skilled fighter and at the same time a real scrapper." Check out what's clicking today in entertainment. William Smith was in the Season 12 Classic HFO season 1979-1980. 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). My favorite TV screen villain would be Falconetti from the Rich Man Poor Man miniseries and Rich Man Poor Man Book II. I really enjoyed working with Nick Nolte and Peter Strauss. 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.. (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.". Beginning at eight years old, he earned small, uncredited roles in the movies The Ghost of Frankenstein and A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. 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. "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. Thanks for contacting us. Grandmother with dementia died from face wound neglected by staff for days. For the latest news on this story keep checking back at Sun Online.