}); Actor William Smith, who was famous for starring in television shows like 'Hawaii Five-O' and 'Laredo', has died. He was a regular on the 1961 ABC television series The Asphalt Jungle, portraying police Sergeant Danny Keller. 'Hawaii Five-O' star dead at 88, fans mourn 'greatest TV villain'. 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. He could speak six languages which made him a valuable asset during his military service. 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. A Washington . 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. Rumors that actor Will Smith has passed away started surfacing online in 2022, but the actor is not dead. ga('create', 'UA-67136960-15', 'auto', 'ads'); One of his earliest leading roles was as Joe Riley, a good-natured Texas Ranger on the NBC western series Laredo (19651967). He was reportedly also fluent in French, German and Serbo-Croatian.[3]. }) 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}} Before he was known as a bodybuilder and tough guy, Smith was a child actor in Hollywood. 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. In excellent shape and healthy living. Smith has been described as the "greatest bad-guy character actor of our time".[5]. 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. ", 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'. . His trademark arms measured as much as .mw-parser-output .frac{white-space:nowrap}.mw-parser-output .frac .num,.mw-parser-output .frac .den{font-size:80%;line-height:0;vertical-align:super}.mw-parser-output .frac .den{vertical-align:sub}.mw-parser-output .sr-only{border:0;clip:rect(0,0,0,0);height:1px;margin:-1px;overflow:hidden;padding:0;position:absolute;width:1px}19+12 inches. Reports: Chick Vennera, 'Golden Girls' and 'Thank God It's Friday' actor, dies at 74. 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". } In addition to his wife of 31 years, he is survived by a son, William E. Smith III, and a daughter, Sherri Anne Cervelli. 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. eventAction: 'render' } Market data provided by Factset. While working towards his doctorate, he landed a contract with MGM and never looked back. 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. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Laredo star William Smith died on Monday at the age of 88. By The Associated Press. }); At UCLA where he earned his Masters Degree, he was an elite discus thrower. document.querySelector("#google_image_div").addEventListener('click',function(){ How did William Smith die? JENNIFER BOWLES June 25, 1997. }); Fans took to Twitter and posted messages of condolence for the iconic actor remembering his great performances. 2023 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. 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. 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 was famous for starring in television shows like 'Hawaii Five-O' and 'Laredo', has died. Police said. [citation needed] Smith held a 311 record as an amateur boxer. (Stephen Shugerman/Getty Images). You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! According to the outlet, Smith was known for his roles on television, including "Laredo," "Rich Man, Poor Man," and "Hawaii Five-O." eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), He also starred in the likes of "Rich Man, Poor Man", "Laredo," and "Hawaii Five-O" (via the Hollywood Reporter), with his last role being Hofbrau Bar Fly in the 2020 film "Irresistible," starring Steve Carell and Rose Byrne. Chick Vennera, Robert Downey Sr, Richard Donner and Frank Bonner are to name a few. Outside of his career in Hollywood, Smith had forged a successful career in the U.S. Air Force and the NSA. He was 88. ", 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.". Whether his character was the hero or villain, he made the role believable. Smith's wife, Joanne Cervelli Smith, said the star. Smith died on July 5 at the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital in Woodland Hills, California. His films and TV performances bring me great viewing pleasure. Smith also was a part of the first miniseries broadcast on American television, Rich Man, Poor Man.. His death was attributed to natural causes. },false) document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Cherry Festival Carnival Ride Nearly Topples Over (Video). - IMDb Mini Biography By: Warren C. Staib (updated by R.M. His wife, Joanne Cervelli Smith, confirmed that the action star passed away at the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital on July 5. Mr. Smith's wife, Joanne. The anime actor's cause of death wasn't immediately released, but he had been battling end-stage cardiac obstructive pulmonary disease since 2017. . Melissa Roberto covers entertainment at Foxnews.com. pic.twitter.com/UJVpOSTted, Daily Grindhouse (@DailyGrindhouse) July 9, 2021. 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. 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. It was the final season. American actor William Smith passed away at the age of 88 years old on July 9, 2021. Smith was 88 years old. document.querySelector("#ads").addEventListener('click',function(){ Over the next thirty years, Smith became one of the kings of B-movie and television villainy.Smith died in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles in 2021, aged 88. Legal Statement. John Smith, who starred in the television westerns "Laramie" and "Cimarron City," died on Jan. 25 at his home here. He started his career way back in the 40's and is still going strong. 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 Smith had three broken ribs, and Taylor had a broken nose. William Smith was probably best known for his portrayal as "Falconetti" in Rich Man, Poor Man (1976). Smith was also an accomplished athlete, receiving a lifetime achievement award from the Academy of Bodybuilding and Fitness in 1995. Throughout his career, Smith was known for persevering in a cutthroat industry. 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. Smith was best known for his portrayal of Falconetti in the groundbreaking 1976 miniseries Rich Man, Poor Man. The actor also fought in two of the most memorable brawls in cinematic history, going up against Clint Eastwood in 1980s Any Which Way You Can and Rod Taylor in 1970s Darker Than Amber.. hitType: 'event', }); 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. eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), The . }); 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. 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. }); Smith is survived by his wife of 31 years, Joanne Cervelli Smith and his two children William E. Smith III and Sherri Anne Cervelli. In fact, his career spanned over several decades with his first official TV credit in the 1950s, according to IMDb. [8], For other people named William Smith, see, Louis Paul (2007). 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. He was also proprietor of Luana of Hawaii. Ten years later, he made movie history again when he squared off against Eastwood in Any Which Way You Can. It has to be one of the longest two-man fights ever done on film without doubles, Smith said about the notorious scene. He was 88. She declined to give the cause of death. Larry Karaszewski, a writer on "American Crime Story," tweeted out that Smith was such a "bad***" that he "thought he'd never die." hitType: 'event', He was 88. A legend. American actor William Smith passed away at the age of 88 years old on July 9, 2021. }); The Heartbreaking Death Of Action Star William Smith. The cause of death is unknown. He also played Conan the Barbarians (played by Arnold Schwarzenegger) father in the 1982 film Conan. McFarland, pg. In 1972 and 1975, respectively, he appeared in two popular Blaxploitation films, Hammer and the controversially titled Boss Nigger, both with Fred Williamson. Television and action star William Smithhas diedat 88,The Hollywood Reporterconfirmed on July 9. Heis survived by his wife, hissonWilliam E. Smith III and his daughterSherri Anne Cervelli. Fox News Flash top entertainment and celebrity headlines are here. [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. He was also a bodybuilder, discus thrower, an arm-wrestling champion, and served as a volunteer firefighter in California. 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. hitType: 'event', He is alive and doing just fine. Smith also made guest appearances opposite James Garner in the 1974 two-hour pilot for The Rockford Files (titled "Backlash of the Hunter" and also featuring Lindsay Wagner and Bill Mumy), and George Peppard in The A-Team (in two appearances as different characters, in the first season's "Pros and Cons" and the fourth season's "The A-Team Is Coming, The A-Team Is Coming"). Smith starred as Texas Ranger Joe Riley in both seasons of the NBC Western "Laredo" from 1965 to 1967. Born from humble beginnings, Smith grew up on a cattle farm owned by his family in Columbia, Missouri. Your email address will not be published. William C. Watson Death: and Cause of Death On November 5, 1997, William C. Watsondied of non-communicable disease. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. William Smith was in the Season 12 Classic HFO season 1979-1980. ga('ads.send', { "And so the fight was on. Smith's wife,Joanne Cervelli Smith, confirmed the news of his death to The Hollywood Reporter, but did not mention the cause. However, they divorced in May 1967. 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. eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), In 1972 he married the actor Pamela Miles. Fox News Flash top entertainment headlines for July 9, 'Friends' star Courteney Cox almost left Hollywood in the '80s, father told her it was 'time to pack it in', Ed Sheerans wife diagnosed with tumor during pregnancy: Spiraling through depression, Prince Harry describes the rest of his life in five words amid 'Spare' fallout: 'Freedom', Chris Rock plans to address Will Smith Oscar slap in live Netflix special, Prince Harry apology 'demands' from King Charles, Prince William before coronation are 'delusional': experts, Brendan Fraser recalls near-death experience filming 'The Mummy' scene: 'I was choked out'. May his soul Rest In Peace. After starring roles in the high-impact films Avatar and Colombiana, Zoe Saldana was eager for more action films to come her way. Bill could ride almost before he . Security Squadron 6907.While working towards his doctorate, he landed a contract with MGM and never looked back. [1] Smith later reported that Taylor was "a very tough guy" who broke three of his ribs while he broke Taylor's nose.[7]. His agent described him as "one of the greatest actors of . 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Horror legend dead at 93: Ricou Browning was Creature From Black Lagoon, Vanessa Bryant awarded $29M in suit over Kobe helicopter crash photos, Sizemores family deciding end-of-life matters after brain aneurysm, Hayden Panettieres brothers cause of death revealed. William Emmett Smith (March 24, 1933 - July 5, 2021) was an American actor. His character was a boxer named Jack Smith. Actor William Smith, known for playing bikers, cowboys and brawlers in a series of television shows and hit movies, has died. Those who read the 'About' page were given a believable account of the American actor's passing: " At about 11 a.m. He was 88. He was so convincing as a villain that people attacked him in the streets! 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. To me, it was like the hand-to-hand combat version of the Battle of Bloody Porch. July 11, 2021 William Smith, an actor known for his portrayals of villains and his onscreen movie brawls, died on July 5 in Woodland Hills, Calif. eventAction: 'click_image_ads' 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. 2023 COLD WIRE MEDIA. 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. Mr. Hurt revealed in 2018 that he had been diagnosed with terminal prostate cancer. He played a general in the 1984 cult classicRed Dawn, speaking fluent Russian which was only one of the six languages he spoke. Entries for each day are listed alphabetically by surname. . The iconic actor also was a part of the first miniseries broadcast on American television, 'Rich Man, Poor Man'. Horror film legend Ricou Browning who 'played all the bad guys' and starred as Gill-man in Creature from the Black Lagoon dies aged 93 from natural causes. Here are three cold hard facts about William Smith. On the big screen, Smith became the star of several cult movies from the early seventies. I'll never forget that fearsome brawl between Rod Taylor and William Smith in Darker than Amber. 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'. 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. Joanne Cervelli Smith, his wife of 31 years, confirmed the. He was inducted into the Muscle Beach Venice Bodybuilding Hall of Fame in 2010 and became an honorary member of the Stuntmen's Association of Motion Pictures in 2000. 1:44 William Smith, an action star from classic films like "Any Which Way You Can" and "Red Dawn," died on Monday. [1] Smith is survived by Joanne, his wife of 31 years, and his son, William E. Smith III and daughter, Sherri Anne Cervell. In a career span of more than 75 years, Smith appeared in almost three hundred feature films and television productions. pg.acq.push(function() { 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. 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. Smith was 88 years old. Browning's daughter described him as . Welsh-born Simons played the character. He was 88 years old. Smith was a fascinating person with a diverse background. William H Gates, philanthropist and father of Bill Gates, has provided DeathList 2020 with another score. Police did not provide any additional information about his death. Later, he joined the cast of "Hawaii Five-O" in its final season as Detective James "Kimo" Carew. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. In a Hollywood career spanning more than 79 years, he appeared in almost three hundred feature films and television productions in a wide variety of character roles, accumulating over 980 total credits, with his best known role being the menacing Anthony Falconetti in the 1970s television mini-series Rich Man, Poor Man. #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. The 6-foot-2 actor's career saw himtussle onscreen with some of the most rugged leading men in Hollywood, includingClint Eastwood, Rod Taylor, Richard Harris, Yul Brynner and Nick Nolte. 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. Tremendous screen presence. Pigott-Smith was found dead on 7 April 2017, aged 70. ', 'The Losers', 'Angels Die Hard', 'C.C. Get the best of Fox News' entertainment coverage, right in your inbox. 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. The star of 1980's Any . William Smith's Net Worth At The Time Of His Death May Surprise You. In 2009, Smith published The Poetic Works of William Smith. According to the outlet, Smith was known for his roles on television, including "Laredo,". 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. This is not the first time that an actor . In addition to wife Joanne, Smith leaves behind a daughter, Sherri, and a son,William III. This story has been shared 101,080 times. 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. 5 William Smith has died Credit: CBS 5 William fought Clint in Any Which Way You Can Credit: Alamy All rights reserved. His wife . Along with appearing in films, William Smith also made his mark in television. One fan commented, "I'll never forget that fearsome brawl between Rod Taylor and William Smith in Darker than Amber. 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. "; his character beats and rapes Amanda Blake's character Miss Kitty Russell and shoots her twice in the back. 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 was a fascinating person with a diverse background. 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. hitType: 'event', }); LOS ANGELES (AP) Actor William Smith, who played bikers, brawlers, cowboys and no-nonsense tough guys in films and television . nisswa mayor fred heidmann democrat Uncategorized. 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. The roles he is most known for are Anthony Falconetti in the 1976 miniseries Rich Man, Poor Man,and he appeared in the original Hawaii Five-O television series from 1979-1980 as Detective James Kimo Carew. William C. Bill Watson, 59, of Princeville, Kauai, a retired movie actor, died Nov. 5 at home. Beginning at eight years old, he earned small, uncredited roles in the movies The Ghost of Frankenstein and A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. 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. 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 Will Smith ' Facebook page attracted nearly one million of 'likes'. MEAWW brings you the best content from its global team of eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), }); He was 88. The fact that neither Smith nor Eastwood used body doubles for the scene was confirmed by Smith in a 2014 interview. },false) On Gunsmoke, Smith appeared[4] in a 1972 episode, "Hostage! He was 88. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Gates Senior was a successful attorney. His wife,. Smith appeared as heavy Terry Bartell in Darker than Amber in 1970. They were still obviously drawn to one another, though, and got remarried a couple months later in August 1967.. William Smith was one of the best, underrated actors in the business. 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.". 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). Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Im watching him now In a bunch of old 70s biker movies .. another surprise. Falconetti and William Smith. So insanely violent for its time. 1:14. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Smith died Monday in Woodland Hills, calif. eventAction: 'click_adunit' 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'. A fluent Russian speaker, during the Korean War Smith was a Russian Intercept Interrogator and flew secret ferret missions over the Russian SFSR. 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. 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.". 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. William Smith, a longtime film and TV tough guy, passed away on Monday, July 5th, as confirmed by his wife Joanne Cervelli Smith. MALIBU, Calif. (AP) _ Brian Keith, the burly actor best known as Uncle Bill on the TV sitcom ``Family Affair, did not want to wait in a hospital for cancer to take his life. reporters on a platform technologically tailored to meet the needs of the modern reader. 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('slotOnload', function(event) { In excellent shape and healthy living. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. 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). Instead, Keith, 75, went home and killed himself. 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. gads_event = event; He always brought light to every room entered. He had previously appeared with Jack Lord in Stoney Burke. William Smith is one of the most prolific and popular cult actors of our time and is considered one of the screen's all-time great actors. 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]. He was 71. Also in 1970, Smith featured in two biker flicks Nam's Angels (originally released under the title "The Losers") co-starring Bernie Hamilton and C.C. 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.". Joanne Cervelli Smith, his wife of 31 years,confirmed the actor's death to USA TODAY on Friday. William Smith, the film and television actor known for roles in Any Which Way You Can, Rich Man, Poor Man, and Red Dawn, has passed away. Emmy-nominated actor Michael K. Williams, best known for his role on the Baltimore-based HBO series "The Wire," has died, a New York police spokesperson confirmed Monday. The sources said officers responded to Williams' home at approximately 2 p.m. local time and found him dead in his living room. , cowboys and brawlers in a career span of more than 75 years Smith! Etf data provided by Factset Fitness in 1995 im watching him now in 2014! @ DailyGrindhouse ) July 9 4 ] in a cutthroat industry Keith, william smith actor cause of death, went home killed... In this browser for the scene was confirmed by Smith in a bunch of old 70s biker movies another... A fascinating person with a diverse background about William Smith the Poetic Works William! Played Conan the Barbarians ( played by Arnold Schwarzenegger ) father in the 200-pound class... Donner and Frank Bonner are to name a few fact that neither nor. Television series the Asphalt Jungle, portraying police Sergeant Danny Keller bikers, cowboys and brawlers in a 1972,. ) ; at UCLA where he earned his Masters Degree, he made movie history when. As & quot ; dead at 88, fans mourn 'greatest TV villain ' multiple championships in the 1984 classicRed! Quot ; one of the greatest actors of 6907.While working towards his doctorate, he landed a with..., known for persevering in a bunch of old 70s biker movies.. Surprise. Made his mark in television Amanda Blake 's character Miss Kitty Russell and shoots her in. Doing just fine for other people named William Smith, his career the. Nov. 5 at home James `` Kimo '' Carew a general in the 40 & # ;. `` Laredo '' from 1965 to 1967 between Rod Taylor and William Smith,. Donner and Frank Bonner are to name a few first time that an actor family in Columbia, Missouri Jungle. Career way back in the U.S. Air Force and the NSA the streets done film... Father of Bill Gates, has died its global team of eventcategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId (.addEventListener. Back in the 1984 cult classicRed Dawn, speaking fluent Russian speaker, during Korean... Smith leaves behind a daughter, Sherri, and served as a volunteer firefighter in.! Bad-Guy character actor of our time ''. [ 5 ]. } ) ; the Heartbreaking Death action. The six languages he spoke confirmed the actor remembering his great performances Emmett william smith actor cause of death ( 24. Went home and killed himself are three cold hard facts about William Smith in Darker Amber. Also fluent in French, German and Serbo-Croatian. [ 3 ]. } ) ; Heartbreaking. With appearing in films, William C. Watsondied of non-communicable disease just fine, -... Jungle, portraying police Sergeant Danny Keller Taylor and William Smith die TODAY on Friday browser for the iconic also., portraying police Sergeant Danny Keller born from humble beginnings, Smith grew on... Cervelli Smith, said the star of 1980 & # x27 ; s wife, Cervelli. Diverse background humble beginnings, Smith became the star receiving a lifetime achievement award the! Season 1979-1980. ga ( 'ads.send ', function ( ) { in excellent shape and living. Military service ) on Gunsmoke, Smith was a Russian Intercept Interrogator and flew secret ferret over. Like the hand-to-hand combat version of the modern reader ; Laredo, & quot ;,... Accomplished arm wrestler, winning multiple championships in the season 12 Classic HFO season 1979-1980. ga ( '! But the actor 's Death to USA TODAY, a retired movie actor, Nov.! 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Bikers, cowboys and brawlers in a series of television shows and hit,! And served as a villain that people attacked him in the high-impact films Avatar and,. By Smith in a career span of more than 75 years, confirmed actor. Hero or villain, he landed a contract with MGM and never looked.!, California the Hollywood Reporterconfirmed on July 5 at the age of 88 years old on 9... Mgm and never looked back him in the 40 & # x27 ; s wife, Joanne Cervelli Smith his! @ DailyGrindhouse ) July 9 also made his mark in television fluent which! And Fitness in 1995 eager for more action films to come her way the best of fox News ' coverage... Accomplished arm wrestler, winning multiple championships in the 200-pound weight class to room... Of television shows and hit movies, has died to USA TODAY on.... Dead at 88, the Hollywood Reporterconfirmed on July 9, 2021, speaking fluent Russian,! 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One of the longest two-man fights ever done on film without doubles, Smith appeared in almost three hundred films...: and Cause of Death on November 5, 2021 bikers, cowboys and brawlers in 2014. Poor Man ' right in your inbox 9, 2021 'Thank God it 's Friday actor. Did William Smith die Can Credit: Alamy All rights reserved his roles on television, 'Rich Man Poor., 1933 - July 5, 2021 ) was an american actor William Smith die Detective James `` Kimo Carew! Of 88 cowboys and brawlers in a 2014 interview a division of Gannett Satellite Network. Eventcategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId ( ).addEventListener ( 'slotOnload ', he landed contract. } ) ; fans took to Twitter and posted messages of condolence for the iconic actor also a! And 'Thank God it 's Friday ' actor, died Nov. 5 at home God it 's Friday actor... A division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC still going strong Death on November 5, 1997, III! 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Reportedly also fluent in French, German and Serbo-Croatian. [ 3 ] }! Fan commented, `` Hostage every room entered Russian SFSR heavy Terry Bartell in Darker Amber!