In excellent shape and healthy living. [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. }); He started his career way back in the 40's and is still going strong. pic.twitter.com/UJVpOSTted, R.I.P to the Hollywood Man himself William Smith. Legal Statement. Action star William Smith, known for his roles in "Rich Man, Poor Man" and "Laredo," died Monday, according to the New York Post. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. 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. That was a real fight with real blood and real broken bones. AIR Awareness Outreach; AIR Business Lunch & Learn; AIR Community of Kindness; AIR Dogs: Paws For Minds AIR Hero AIR & NJAMHAA Conference The fact that neither Smith nor Eastwood used body doubles for the scene was confirmed by Smith in a 2014 interview. if(document.querySelector("#google_image_div")){ (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.". Quoted by CNN, the New York Times, and Macleans. Here are three cold hard facts about William Smith. Who do you cast to make Clint Eastwood break a sweat in a fistfight? And he played Detective James "Kimo" Carew in the final season of the original "Hawaii Five-O" on CBS in 1979 and 1980. 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. 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". 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. McFarland, pg. William Emmett Smith (March 24, 1933 July 5, 2021) was an American actor. pic.twitter.com/UJVpOSTted, Daily Grindhouse (@DailyGrindhouse) July 9, 2021. 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. Whos the baddest of the movie badmen? But he is so much more than just an actor. Hislegacy as an action star of both film and television for several decades will live on. 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 88. Mr. Smith's wife, Joanne. One of which was with Clint Eastwood in the film"Any Which Way You Can." 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. Rest in Peace, William Smith. 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. gads_event = event; In 1967, Smith guest starred as Jude Bonner on James Arness's long-lived western Gunsmoke. R.I.P. 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. window.googletag.pubads().addEventListener('impressionViewable', function(event) { 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. How did William Smith die? Hollywood actor William Smith, who has played the roles of bikers, brawlers, cowboys and tough guys in films and television shows like 'Laredo', 'Rich Man, Poor Man' and 'Any Which Way You Can' has died at the age of 88. 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'. Action junkies and film enthusiasts shared their love for William on the web. 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. eventAction: 'load' With his chiseled, mustachioed face and bulging biceps, Smith was a . He and Eastwood meet while out jogging one morning, and then he falls off a cliff and is rescued by Eastwood, after which he beats up a lot of guys who insult Eastwoods girlfriend in a bar. Smith was involved in a fight scene alongside Clint Eastwood in the 1980 movie Any Which Way You Can. Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TheSunUS and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunUS. eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), The iconic actor also was a part of the first miniseries broadcast on American television, 'Rich Man, Poor Man'. ", 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". }); Joanne Cervelli Smith, his wife of 31 years, confirmed the actor's death in USA TODAY on Friday. "And so the fight was on. He was 88 years old. }); Tremendous screen presence. window.googletag.pubads().addEventListener('slotOnload', function(event) { ga('ads.send', { 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. William Smith, an actor known for his portrayals of villains and his onscreen movie brawls, died on July 5 in Woodland Hills, Calif. Along with his wife of 31 years, Smith is survived by his two children, William E. Smith III and Sherri Anne Cervelli. 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. Rod is a skilled fighter and at the same time a real scrapper." American actor William Smith, circa 1975. 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. William Smith was an actor known for roles in movies and TV shows including Laredo and Rich Man, Poor Man.. eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), The actor William Smith in 1978. pg.acq.push(function() { 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. You can reach her at Melissa.Roberto@fox.com. He spent his early days in Columbia, Missouri. Check out what's clicking today in entertainment. William Smith, an action star from classic films like "Any Which Way You Can" and "Red Dawn," died on Monday. CHICK VENNERA, 'GOLDEN GIRLS' AND 'ANIMANIACS' ACTOR, DEAD AT 74, Born in Columbia, Missouri, Smith would begin acting at age 8, playing small uncredited roles in 1940s films, including "The Ghost of Frankenstein" and "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. ICONIC actor William Smith, who tussled with Clint Eastwood in the movies, has died at the age of 88. With his chiseled . 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. document.querySelector("#google_image_div").addEventListener('click',function(){ In excellent shape and healthy living. Smith starred as Texas Ranger Joe Riley in both seasons of the NBC Western "Laredo" from 1965 to 1967. However, his first role was an uncredited one where he played a village boy in "The Ghost of Frankenstein" in 1942. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. 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. Mr. Smiths wife, Joanne Cervelli Smith, said he died at the Motion Picture and Television Funds Country House and Hospital. William Smith, god-tier among the grindhouse greats, has left us. View. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. The Hollywood star William Smith who starred in TV shows including Hawaii Five-O and Rich Man, Poor Man and films including Any Which Way You Can and Conan The Barbarian has died aged 88. } Smith's wife, Joanne Cervelli Smith, confirmed the news of his death to The Hollywood Reporter, but did not mention the cause. It was the final season. According to the outlet, Smith was known for his roles on television, including "Laredo,". Smith started in the 1940s as a child actor. On Gunsmoke, Smith appeared[4] in a 1972 episode, "Hostage! Larry Karaszewski, a writer on "American Crime Story," tweeted out that Smith was such a "bad***" that he "thought he'd never die." 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. She declined to give the cause of death. In 1995, Smith received a lifetime achievement award from the Academy of Bodybuilding and Fitness. William's final appearance in his film career was in the comedyIrresistible, which starred Steve Carell. I'll never forget that fearsome brawl between Rod Taylor and William Smith in Darker than Amber. According to the outlet, Smith was known for his roles on television, including "Laredo," "Rich Man, Poor Man," and "Hawaii Five-O." Who do you cast to play Conan The Barbarians daddy? His wife Joanne Cervelli Smith, who confirmed the news to THR, didn't reveal the cause for his death. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Inside Josh Duggar's lonely 35th birthday in prison solitary confinement, Honey Boo Boo, 17, & boyfriend, 21, found with gun & drugs in car in arrest, Today's Hoda Kotb looks solemn on stroll with daughter amid show absence, Jill Duggar reveals she's 'so proud' of husband's major career change in new pic, 2020 THE SUN, US, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | TERMS OF USE | PRIVACY | YOUR AD CHOICES | SITEMAP, William fought Clint in Any Which Way You Can, William 'played a lot of motorcycle gang leaders in films', William posed with the rest of the Hawaii Five-O cast for a photo. hitType: 'event', 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'. Nicolas Cage's mom, 85, battled schizophrenia, How did Lisa Banes die? Now that was a good fight, Mr. Smith recalled in a 2010 interview with BZ Film. 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 . Who do you cast to make Clint Eastwood break a sweat in a fistfight? pg.acq.push(function() { Your email address will not be published. Along with appearing in films, William Smith also made his mark in television. "; his character beats and rapes Amanda Blake's character Miss Kitty Russell and shoots her twice in the back. 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. Smith's wife, Joanne Cervelli Smith, said the star. May his soul Rest In Peace. The actor also played Detective James "Kimo" Carew in the final 1979 season of Hawaii Five-O. ", Another fan wrote: "Farewell to the last great Bad Ass of TV & movies, William Smith. MEAWW brings you the best content from its global team of 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. He also played Conan the Barbarians (played by Arnold Schwarzenegger) father in the 1982 film Conan. In its obituary for William Smith,Deadline revealed that the "Hawaii Five-O" actor first wanted to pursue a career in government, but ended up acting after MGM gave him a contract. 1959 The Gazebo as Actor (uncredited) 1961 Go Naked in the World as Minor Role 1961 The Asphalt Jungle (TV series) as Sergeant Danny Keller 1961 Atlantis, the Lost Continent as Captain of The Guard 1962 Zero One (TV series) as Jimmy Delaney 1964 36 Hours as Guy (uncredited) 1964 Mail Order Bride as Lank 1965 Laredo (TV series) as Joe Riley The Tragic Death Of Action Star William Smith. Jodie teamed the look . He was 88. Action star William Smith, known for his roles in "Rich Man, Poor Man" and "Laredo," died Monday, according to the New York Post. let gads_event; Get breaking news alerts& today's headlines inyour inbox. He was so convincing as a villain that people attacked him in the streets!R.I.P William Smith & thanks for the memories pic.twitter.com/YjOkgnHUUa. 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. Grandmother with dementia died from face wound neglected by staff for days. His last role was in Irresistible, a 2020 film directed by Jon Stewart. A cause of death was not revealed. Anyone can read what you share. 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. A legend. Smith began his long Hollywood career as a child actor in the 40s, when his family moved to Southern California from the Dust Bowl. The Sun is your go to destination for the best celebrity news, football news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. The Heartbreaking Death Of Action Star William Smith. The cause of the actor's death is unknown yet. 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. RIP, Big Bill. 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. Fox News Flash top entertainment and celebrity headlines are here. ga('ads.send', { [citation needed] Smith held a 311 record as an amateur boxer. Prince Harry and Meghan are 'ok' about leaving Frogmore Cottage following Buckingham Palace's eviction notice, it has been reported. Details of death: Died at the. Chick Vennera, Robert Downey Sr, Richard Donner and Frank Bonner are to name a few. RIP#WilliamSmith#RIPWilliamSmith pic.twitter.com/KbTl0tuVe3. }); Actor William Smith, who was famous for starring in television shows like 'Hawaii Five-O' and 'Laredo', has died. She also penned onFacebook, "My heart hurts so badly.". He played Natalie Wood's character's father in Rebel Without a Cause. In a career span of more than 75 years, Smith appeared in almost three hundred feature films and television productions. We are one of the worlds fastest growing A fan tweeted: "I'll never forget that fearsome brawl between Rod Taylor and William Smith in Darker than Amber. Smith was a working actor for over 70 . In addition to his Hollywood legacy, the Missouri native was also a bodybuilder, a champion discus thrower and a published poet. ga('ads.send', { The fight scenes with Nick and I were good ones. from a 2010 interview for BZ Film, Sad news coming through that the great William Smith has passed away aged 88. Mr. Smith, who was born on March 24, 1933, grew up on a cattle ranch in Missouri owned by his parents, William Emmett Smith and Emily Richards Smith. "It was to my immense delight that I immediately recognized the actor playing Jack Wilson," Ebert wrote. One of those great men you thought would live forever. With his chiseled, mustachioed face and bulging biceps, Smith was a constant, rugged presence on screen in . Actor William Smith, who was famous for starring in television shows like 'Hawaii Five-O' and 'Laredo', has died. 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. eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), He also portrayed Texas Ranger Joe Riley in the two seasons of 'Laredo' and then joined the original cast of 'Hawaii Five-O' for its last season. #RIP #WilliamSmith. "It is with great sadness that the Hurt family mourns the passing of William Hurt, beloved father and Oscar winning actor, on March 13, 2022, one week before his 72nd birthday. Actor William Smith, known for playing bikers, cowboys and brawlers in a series of television shows and hit movies, has died. The place to find Mr. Smith, even as an older man, was the gym, Ms. Smith said. window.googletag.pubads().addEventListener('slotRenderEnded', function(event) { RIP, Big Bill. 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", 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'. So insanely violent for its time. 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 Columbia, Mo., native solidified his Hollywood status after tussling onscreen with actors like Clint Eastwood, Nick Nolte and Yul Brynner. eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), eventAction: 'click_ads' Spoke fluent French, Italian, and Russian. Smith was a U.S. Air Force veteran of the Korean War. Back in 1942, William started his professional career as an eight-year-old child actor in The Ghost of Frankenstein, according to Deadline. The actress, 36, strutted out in a sheer bra which showcased plenty of cleavage and her toned abs. hitType: 'event', He was 88. All rights reserved. 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. . eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), 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. Before he was known as a bodybuilder and tough guy, Smith was a child actor in Hollywood. With his chiseled, mustachioed face and bulging biceps, Smith was a constant, rugged presence on screen in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, amassing nearly 300 credits. With his chiseled, mustachioed face and bulging biceps, Smith was a constant, rugged presence on screen in the 1960s, 1970s and . Rest in Prominence & Peace, Big Bill. 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. 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. THE COLD WIRE IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF COLD WIRE MEDIA. American actor William Smith passed away at the age of 88 years old on July 9, 2021. He was a polyglot, a bodybuilder, a champion discus thrower and an Air Force pilot during the Korean War, according to his website. Tremendous screen presence. The Hollywood Reporter noted that Taylor broke three of Smith's ribs, while Smith broke Taylor's nosefilming of the scene. Smith was 88 years old. William Smith was in the Season 12 Classic HFO season 1979-1980. In addition to wife Joanne, Smith leaves behind a daughter, Sherri, and a son,William III. Television and action star William Smithhas diedat 88,The Hollywood Reporterconfirmed on July 9. Jodie Turner-Smith made a head-turning exit from a fancy hotel on Thursday. He was 88. She declined to give the cause of death. On the big screen, Smith became the star of several cult movies from the early seventies. window.googletag.cmd.push(function() { William Smith (19332021), actor known for Laredo, Rich Man, Poor Man. The man has nearly 300 roles in both films and television. 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). 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. window.adsContainer = {"positionAfterTitle":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle5_Rel_Newrev","isOrganicUserAd":true,"max_width":336,"max_height":280},"position2":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_After_Title_Rel_Newrev","max_width":336,"max_height":280},"position3":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Below_Next_Rel_Newrev","max_width":300,"max_height":250},"position4":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle_Rel_Newrev","max_width":300,"max_height":250},"position5":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle1_Rel_Newrev","max_width":300,"max_height":250},"position6":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle2_Rel_Newrev","max_width":336,"max_height":280},"position7":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle3_Rel_Newrev","max_width":300,"max_height":250},"position8":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle4_Rel_Newrev","max_width":300,"max_height":250},"position9":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle5_Rel_Newrev","max_width":336,"max_height":280},"position10":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle6_Rel_Newrev","max_width":336,"max_height":280},"position11":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle7_Rel_Newrev","max_width":336,"max_height":280},"position12":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle8_Rel_Newrev","max_width":336,"max_height":280},"position13":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle9_Rel_Newrev","max_width":336,"max_height":280},"position14":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle10_Rel_Newrev","max_width":336,"max_height":280},"position15":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle11_Rel_Newrev","max_width":336,"max_height":280},"position16":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_Middle12_Rel_Newrev","max_width":336,"max_height":280},"positionTop":{"code":"Article_Desktop_970x250_Header_Rel","isOrganicUserAd":false,"max_width":970,"max_height":250},"positionBottom":{"code":"Article_Desktop_Sidebar_Bottom_Rel_Newrev","isOrganicUserAd":true,"max_width":300,"max_height":600},"positionBottomRight":{"code":"Article_Desktop_300x250_After_Title_Rel_Newrev","isOrganicUserAd":true,"max_width":336,"max_height":280}} Good actor ! His marriage to Michele Smith produced one child before ending in divorce; he later married Joanne Cervelli.