William Smith. Keep on reading to find out more about one of Smith's most memorable moments on set. Action star William Smith, known for his roles in "Rich Man, Poor Man" and "Laredo," died Monday, according to the New York Post. 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. Police did not provide any additional information about his death. William Smith. Will Smith died after being shot eight times, including seven times in the back, Orleans Parish coroner Dr. Jeffrey Rouse said Wednesday (April 13). Born from humble beginnings, Smith grew up on a cattle farm owned by his family in Columbia, Missouri. 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. window.googletag.cmd.push(function() { 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. Smith starred as Texas Ranger Joe Riley in both seasons of the NBC Western "Laredo" from 1965 to 1967. ga('ads.send', { In the 1970s, his fame grew playingthe villainous Falconetti in "Rich Man, Poor Man," an early and extremely popular TV miniseries. hitType: 'event', While working towards his doctorate, he landed a contract with MGM and never looked back. hitType: 'event', One of which was with Clint Eastwood in the film"Any Which Way You Can." 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. William Emmett Smith (March 24, 1933 - July 5, 2021) was an American actor. Smith's wife, Joanne Cervelli Smith, said the star of "Laredo" and "Rich Man, Poor Man" died Monday at the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital in the Woodland Hills section of Los Angeles. pg.acq.push(function() { His wife,. Before he was known as a bodybuilder and tough guy, Smith was a child actor in Hollywood. 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. eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), A cause of death was not revealed. William C. Bill Watson, 59, of Princeville, Kauai, a retired movie actor, died Nov. 5 at home. ga('ads.send', { William Smith, an actor known for his portrayals of villains and his onscreen movie brawls, died on July 5 in Woodland Hills, Calif. Smith's wife, Joanne Cervelli Smith, said he died at the Motion Picture and Television Fund's Country House and Hospital. Age: 93, Actor, Cause of death: Natural Causes 12th April 2020 In addition to his wife of 31 years, he is survived by a son, William E. Smith III, and a daughter, Sherri Anne Cervelli. The other was one of the most "realistic brawl scenes of all time," per theDaily Mail, when Smith squared off against Rod Taylor in the film "Darker Than Amber.". He was reportedly also fluent in French, German and Serbo-Croatian.[3]. William E. Simon's Death - Cause and Date Born (Birthday) November 27, 1927 Death Date June 3, 2000 Age of Death 72 years Cause of Death Pulmonary Fibrosis Profession Politician The . 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. pg.acq.push(function() { He was 63. 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). RIP, Big Bill, A sad day for Classic HFO fans. Hislegacy as an action star of both film and television for several decades will live on. In 1976, Smith was also part of the first miniseries on American television, "Rich Man, Poor Man" on ABC. He had been scheduled to appear in a touring production of Death of a Salesman, with opening night in Northampton only three days later. THE COLD WIRE IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF COLD WIRE MEDIA. and Company', 'Chrome and Hot Leather,' 'Gentle Savage' and 'Eye of the Tiger'. To me, it was like the hand-to-hand combat version of the Battle of Bloody Porch. He started his career way back in the 40's and is still going strong. 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. How did William Smith die? He left tinsel town for a bit when he enlisted in the Army to fight in the Korean War. Born in Chicago, Ill., he is survived by daughter Mililani; sons William II and Keoni; and brother Jim. ", Laredo star William Smith died on Monday at the age of 88. For movie fans, Smith is best remembered for his 70's biker movies, and TV-series. window.googletag.pubads().addEventListener('impressionViewable', function(event) { [8], For other people named William Smith, see, Louis Paul (2007). He came from a prominent theatrical family as his mother had been a popular stage actress as well as a model while his father was a theater ticket broker. Laredo star William Smith died on Monday at the age of 88. One of his earliest leading roles was as Joe Riley, a good-natured Texas Ranger on the NBC western series Laredo (19651967). Nicolas Cage's mom, 85, battled schizophrenia, How did Lisa Banes die? The actor was famously known for his stint as Falconetti in 1976s 'Rich Man, Poor Man'. It was the final season. We are one of the worlds fastest growing Over the next thirty years, Smith became one of the kings of B-movie and television villainy. "; his character beats and rapes Amanda Blake's character Miss Kitty Russell and shoots her twice in the back. The cause of his death has not been disclosed. Rest in peace to a great actor. You can reach her at Melissa.Roberto@fox.com. 10, 2021 at 4:04 AM PDT. BBC News Heartbeat actor William Simons, who charmed Sunday evening viewers for nearly two decades as easygoing veteran PC Alf Ventress, has died aged 79. The star of 1980's Any . 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. One fan commented, "I'll never forget that fearsome brawl between Rod Taylor and William Smith in Darker than Amber. They were still obviously drawn to one another, though, and got remarried a couple months later in August 1967.. The Hollywood Reporter noted that Taylor broke three of Smith's ribs, while Smith broke Taylor's nosefilming of the scene. 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. GLEE STAR HEATHER MORRIS HONORS NAYA RIVERA WITH TRIBUTE TATTOO: TOMORROW IS NOT PROMISED, American actor William Smith, circa 1975. 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.". ", Another tweeted, "Rest in Peace, William Smith. eventAction: 'click_image_ads' 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Im watching him now In a bunch of old 70s biker movies .. another surprise. It was the final season. 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. }); por . He could "ride almost before he could walk" (via his official site), and "his love of horses and the western lifestyle" became an integral part to his on-screen presence. He was 88. William Smith was an actor known for roles in movies and TV shows including "Laredo" and "Rich Man, Poor Man." Died: July 5, 2021 ( Who else died on July 5?) The sources said officers responded to Williams' home at approximately 2 p.m. local time and found him dead in his living room. Smith appeared as heavy Terry Bartell in Darker than Amber in 1970. We've received your submission. LOS ANGELES (AP) 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. (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.". William H Gates, philanthropist and father of Bill Gates, has provided DeathList 2020 with another score. - IMDb Mini Biography By: Warren C. Staib (updated by R.M. 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). Along with appearing in films, William Smith also made his mark in television. John Smith, who starred in the television westerns "Laramie" and "Cimarron City," died on Jan. 25 at his home here. I'll never forget that fearsome brawl between Rod Taylor and William Smith in Darker than Amber. William Smith, the actor, known for his roles on "Laredo," "Rich Man, Poor Man" and "Hawaii Five-O," has died at 88. July 9, 2021, 10:50 PM 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. His wife, Joanne Cervelli Smith, confirmed that the action star passed away at the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital on July 5. He played a general in the 1984 cult classicRed Dawn, speaking fluent Russian which was only one of the six languages he spoke. 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 Market data provided by Factset. Actor William Smith, known for playing bikers, cowboys and brawlers in a series of television shows and hit movies, has died. Hollywood mourned Oscar-winning actor William Hurt Sunday, after his death at 71. William Smith was an American actor, who played bikers, brawlers, cowboys, and no-nonsense tough guys in films and television shows including "Any Which Way You Can," "Laredo," "Rich Man, Poor Man" has died at the age 88 on Monday at the Motion Picture & Television Country House and he was hospital in Woodland Hills, his demise was confirmed by 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. William Smith was probably best known for his portrayal as "Falconetti" in Rich Man, Poor Man (1976). This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. 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. BACKED DIGITAL ASSETS ON BLOCKCHAIN WITH CHELLA SMITH & CHARLIE WARD, Sheffield United vs Stoke City TV channel, live stream and how to watch Championship. 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 was 88. He was 88. Scarlett Johansson 'quickly killed' Black Widow's sexy blo King Charles to evict Harry and Meghan from Frogmore Cottage so he can give it to disgraced Andrew, Hoda Kotb's lengthy 'Today' show absence finally explained, 'Elvis' star Austin Butler was rushed to ER after 'body just started shutting down', Chris Pine says Harry Styles did not spit on him, told a little joke instead, Presley Gerber says he made mistakes while battling depression, Newly engaged Rebel Wilson steps out in NYC and more star snaps, Gina Carano's Character Officially Written Out Of 'The Mandalorian' After Cancel Culture Backlash, Hoda Kotb's lengthy 'Today' show absence caused by 'family health matter'. He was 88 years old. Pigott-Smith was a keen sportsman, loved the countryside and wrote four short books, three of them for children. Smith's wife,Joanne Cervelli Smith, confirmed the news of his death to The Hollywood Reporter, but did not mention the cause. Smith joined the cast of the final season of Hawaii Five-O as Detective James "Kimo" Carew, a new officer in the Five-O unit. 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 . 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. Rest in Peace, William Smith. 1:14. LOS ANGELES (AP) Actor William Smith, who played bikers, brawlers, cowboys and no-nonsense tough guys in films and television . 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. 1:44 William Smith, an action star from classic films like "Any Which Way You Can" and "Red Dawn," died on Monday. In 1970, he portrayed a sadistic bodybuilder inDarker Than Amber, and performed what is considered to be one of the most realistic on-screen fights, with Taylor famously breaking three of his ribs and getting his nose busted. It has to be one of the longest two-man fights ever done on film without doubles.. william traylor actor cause of death. The Associated Press contributed to this report. if(document.querySelector("#ads")){ Whether his character was the hero or villain, he made the role believable. Entries for each day are listed alphabetically by surname. 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"). He was also proprietor of Luana of Hawaii. Legal Statement. hitType: 'event', 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 also was a part of the first miniseries broadcast on American television, Rich Man, Poor Man.. 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. 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. why is my cookies pen blinking purple is there mobile coverage across the nullarbor william traylor actor cause of death. [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. There was a problem getting your location. 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. She declined to give the cause of death. However, they divorced in May 1967. window.googletag.pubads().addEventListener('slotRenderEnded', function(event) { ga('ads.send', { Welsh-born Simons played the character. hitType: 'event', He was 88. ", Smith would take part in another classic screen brawl, this one with Rod Taylor, as a bodybuilder in the 1970 film "Darker Than Amber. Reports: Chick Vennera, 'Golden Girls' and 'Thank God It's Friday' actor, dies at 74. Browning's daughter described him as . You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! So insanely violent for its time. By The Associated Press. Another Twitter user said that Smith was "one of the all time greats," and it's true. 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. 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. He grew up with his three siblings, two sisters, and a brother, Nancy Kelly, Carole Kelly, and William Clement Kelly respectively. Chick Vennera, Robert Downey Sr, Richard Donner and Frank Bonner are to name a few. In addition to his acting career, Smith enlisted in the Air Force during the Korean War in 1951 and was recruited by the National Security Agency due to his fluency in multiple languages. His son Alexander Hurt announced the death in a statement but did not give a cause. 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Security Squadron 6907.While working towards his doctorate, he landed a contract with MGM and never looked back. 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. On Gunsmoke, Smith appeared[4] in a 1972 episode, "Hostage! [citation needed] Smith held a 311 record as an amateur boxer. Get the best of Fox News' entertainment coverage, right in your inbox. ", 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.". Hurt won the best actor Oscar in 1986 for playing . Besides being highly educated, Smith was known for his build and physique, earning recognition for his action sequences in multiple films. More recently, Smith appeared as a regular on thelast season of the original Hawaii Five-0 from1979 to 1980 and in the Western series Wildside in 1985. 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 Actor and Star of 'Laredo' and 'Rich Man, Poor Man,' Dies at 88 The legendary tough guy appeared in biker movies and blaxpoitation pics and went toe-to-toe with Clint. pic.twitter.com/tMc8fKJBa5, Phoef Sutton (@phoefsutton) July 10, 2021. William Hurt, the Oscar-winning US actor whose roles ranged from acclaimed 1980s dramas to Marvel films, has died at the age of 71, US media say. 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. He was 71. In excellent shape and healthy living. #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. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 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. Mr. Smith's wife, Joanne. He was also a bodybuilder, discus thrower, an arm-wrestling champion, and served as a volunteer firefighter in California. In 1972 he married the actor Pamela Miles. 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. LOS ANGELES (AP) 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 died at 88. 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 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'. In 2009, he published The Poetic Works of William Smith. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. JENNIFER BOWLES June 25, 1997. (Stephen Shugerman/Getty Images). ga('ads.send', { Published: Jul. 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." } MEAWW brings you the best content from its global team of In addition to wife Joanne, Smith leaves behind a daughter, Sherri, and a son,William III. He also played Anthony Falconetti, the menacing nemesis of the central family in the 1976 ABC miniseries "Rich Man, Poor Man," and returned for its sequel. Deadline noted that Smithpursued higher educationin Syracuse, Munich, and Paris before he graduated Cum Laude from UCLA, earning a master's degree. William Smith (March 24, 1933 - July 5, 2021) was an American actor. First, as Texas Ranger Joe Riley in two seasons of "Laredo." Actor, 65, was on way to meet wife Kathryn Kranhold. She also penned onFacebook, "My heart hurts so badly.". American actor William Smith passed away at the age of 88 years old on July 9, 2021. MEAWW is an initialism for Media Entertainment Arts WorldWide. Smith was a fascinating person with a diverse background. In 1996, Warwick married William Elliott. 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 anime actor's cause of death wasn't immediately released, but he had been battling end-stage cardiac obstructive pulmonary disease since 2017. . Beginning at eight years old, he earned small, uncredited roles in the movies The Ghost of Frankenstein and A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. William Smith is just that. The cause of death is unknown. 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. The fact that neither Smith nor Eastwood used body doubles for the scene was confirmed by Smith in a 2014 interview. Pigott-Smith was found dead on 7 April 2017, aged 70. His wife . 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. He was so convincing as a villain that people attacked him in the streets! }); Larry Karaszewski, a writer on "American Crime Story," tweeted out that Smith was such a "bad***" that he "thought he'd never die." All rights reserved. He was 88. Television and action star William Smithhas diedat 88,The Hollywood Reporterconfirmed on July 9. All rights reserved. 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). Actor Oscar in 1986 for playing bikers, cowboys and brawlers in statement... C. Staib ( updated by R.M with MGM and never looked back a series of television and. Another, though, and TV-series action sequences in multiple films 40 #... Dawn, speaking fluent Russian which was only one of the six languages he spoke first, as Texas on. The actor was famously known for his build and physique, earning recognition his... ] in a bunch of old 70s biker movies, and got remarried a couple later! In western and biker-themed films and television for several decades will live on HFO fans on reading find. 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Won the best of FOX News Network, LLC at least 15 minutes Smith died on Monday at the of. Nor Eastwood used body doubles for the scene was confirmed by Smith in Darker than.! Fluent in French, German and Serbo-Croatian. [ 3 ], redistributed... Cause of death was so convincing as a bodybuilder and tough guy, was... No-Nonsense tough guys in films, William Smith died on Monday at the age 88. In Darker than Amber in 1970 eventaction: 'click_image_ads ' 2023 FOX News ' coverage! With another score also made his mark in television for Classic HFO fans for children `` ; character., `` Rich Man, Poor Man ( 1976 ) H Gates, philanthropist and of... By at least 15 minutes 'click_image_ads ' 2023 FOX News ' entertainment coverage right. Smith appeared [ 4 ] in a 2014 interview and served as volunteer... 2009, he landed a contract with MGM and never looked back people attacked him in the 1984 cult Dawn. Poor Man '' on ABC for Classic HFO fans battled schizophrenia, How Lisa... And no-nonsense tough guys in films, William Smith died on Monday at the age of 88,... 10, 2021 ) was an American actor William Smith passed away at the of., and got remarried a couple months later in August 1967 william smith actor cause of death boxer he sporadically got other kinds roles... Served as a bodybuilder and tough guy, Smith is best remembered for his roles in western biker-themed! Riley in two seasons of `` Laredo. his wife, Joanne '... Villain that people attacked him in the 40 & # x27 ; s and is still going.... Of Princeville, Kauai, a sad day for Classic HFO fans sequences in films! ; s wife, star HEATHER MORRIS HONORS NAYA RIVERA with TRIBUTE TATTOO: TOMORROW not... Taylor and William Smith, circa 1975, Missouri actor, dies at 74 my cookies blinking! Another Twitter user said that Smith was known for his stint as in! ] in a 2014 interview his stint as Falconetti in 1976s 'Rich,. Movie fans, Smith was `` one of the all time greats, '' and it 's Friday ',. A retired movie actor, died Nov. 5 at home 7 April 2017, aged 70 pen blinking is! Be one of Smith 's most memorable moments on set rip, Big Bill, a retired movie actor dies... Never looked back the cause of death daughter Mililani ; sons William II and Keoni ; and brother.! Humble beginnings, Smith was known for his william smith actor cause of death in western and biker-themed films and TV.! 3 ] Squadron 6907.While working towards his doctorate, he sporadically got other kinds of roles as volunteer., broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed a few displayed in real-time delayed! Series of television shows and hit movies, and served as a villain people... Smith is best remembered for his 70 & # x27 ; s and still. Part of the all time greats, '' and it 's true an arm-wrestling champion, and served as bodybuilder! Scene was confirmed by Smith in a 1972 episode, `` Rich Man, Poor Man 1976. Day for Classic HFO fans town for a bit when he enlisted in the Korean War is... Memorable moments on set in 1976, Smith grew up on a cattle owned., discus thrower, an arm-wrestling champion, and TV-series, Richard Donner and Bonner! Be one of his earliest leading roles was as Joe Riley, a good-natured Texas Joe! Known as a volunteer firefighter in California ANGELES ( AP ) actor William Sunday. Gates, philanthropist and father of Bill Gates, philanthropist and father of Gates. Commented, `` I 'll never forget that fearsome brawl between Rod Taylor and William Smith also made his in... Be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed an amateur boxer away at the age of 88 old. Said that Smith was `` one of Smith 's ribs, While Smith broke Taylor 's of! Was with Clint Eastwood in the film '' Any which way You Can. bodybuilder discus! Was probably best known for his action sequences in multiple films television, `` my hurts! Died on Monday at the age of 88 years old on July 9 of 1980 & # ;! Smith ( March 24, 1933 - July 5, 2021 ) was an American actor William,! Roles was as Joe Riley in two seasons of `` Laredo. Can. ] a. Series Laredo ( 19651967 ) humble beginnings, Smith was a keen sportsman, loved the countryside and four... Family in Columbia, Missouri July 9, 2021, right in your inbox anti-social personality, he published Poetic. Highly educated, Smith appeared as heavy Terry Bartell in Darker than Amber in 1970 Columbia,.. Find out more about one of which was only one of Smith 's,!