May his soul Rest In Peace. Bill could ride almost before he could walk, and his love of horses and the western lifestyle would be an important part of what he would bring to the screen in many of the roles he played throughout his career. American actor William Smith passed away at the age of 88 years old on July 9, 2021. British actor Tim Pigott-Smith, who was best known for his Bafta-winning role in 1984 TV series The Jewel in the Crown, has died aged 70. He won the 200-pound (91kg) arm-wrestling championship of the world multiple times and also won the United States Air Force weightlifting championship. Smith's wife, Joanne Cervelli Smith, confirmed the news of his death to The Hollywood Reporter, but did not mention the cause. ga('ads.send', { He was 88. Smith appeared as heavy Terry Bartell in Darker than Amber in 1970. eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), 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. Smith was known for his roles in western and biker-themed films and TV shows. He was 88 years old. Born in Chicago, Ill., he is survived by daughter Mililani; sons William II and Keoni; and brother Jim. In 1983, Smith appeared in two films from Francis Ford Coppola, in The Outsiders as a store clerk and in Rumble Fish as a police officer. 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. Entries for each day are listed alphabetically by surname. He had been scheduled to appear in a touring production of Death of a Salesman, with opening night in Northampton only three days later. However, news of his death has saddened the industry which is already mourning the loss of a lot of great actors recently. "; his character beats and rapes Amanda Blake's character Miss Kitty Russell and shoots her twice in the back. window.googletag.pubads().addEventListener('slotOnload', function(event) { Deadline noted that Smithpursued higher educationin Syracuse, Munich, and Paris before he graduated Cum Laude from UCLA, earning a master's degree. She declined to give the cause of death. 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. William Smith was in the Season 12 Classic HFO season 1979-1980. To me, it was like the hand-to-hand combat version of the Battle of Bloody Porch. 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.He also starred in the likes of "Rich Man, Poor Man . Will Smith was born on September 25, 1968 in Philadelphia. Actor William Smith known for his many film and television roles since breaking into acting as a child star in the 1940s died on July 5, 2021. Smith is survived by Joanne, his wife of 31 years, and his son, William E. Smith III and daughter, Sherri Anne Cervell. The Tragic Death Of Action Star William Smith. Melissa Roberto covers entertainment at Foxnews.com. window.googletag.pubads().addEventListener('slotRenderEnded', function(event) { MEAWW brings you the best content from its global team of Pigott-Smith was a keen sportsman, loved the countryside and wrote four short books, three of them for children. document.querySelector("#adunit").addEventListener('click',function(){ 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. Later in his career, he was the "go-to-guy" for biker films, like "The Losers" and "Chrome and Hot Leather," in the 1970s. },false) Smith's wife, Joanne Cervelli Smith, said the star. "And so the fight was on. However, his first role was an uncredited one where he played a village boy in "The Ghost of Frankenstein" in 1942. 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. William Smith was in the Season 12 Classic HFO season 1979-1980. 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'. Later, he joined the cast of "Hawaii Five-O" in its final season as Detective James "Kimo" Carew. ", 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'. pg.acq.push(function() { }) William Smith (March 24, 1933 - July 5, 2021) was an American actor. Before he was known as a bodybuilder and tough guy, Smith was a child actor in Hollywood. Hurt won the best actor Oscar in 1986 for playing . hitType: 'event', He was also proprietor of Luana of Hawaii. MEAWW is an initialism for Media Entertainment Arts WorldWide. He always brought light to every room entered. "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'. He was 71. Keep on reading to find out more about one of Smith's most memorable moments on set. Smith's wife,Joanne Cervelli Smith, confirmed the news of his death to The Hollywood Reporter, but did not mention the cause. His wife Joanne Cervelli Smith, who confirmed the news to THR, didn't reveal the cause for his death. 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. A cause of death has not been released. 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. Mountain Climber Movie Actor Movie Actress Music Producer Non-fiction Author Novelist por . He first came to the screen as a child actor in films such as Going My Way (1944) and The Song of Bernadette (1943), before entering the service during the Korean War, where his fluency in foreign languages landed him in the N.S.A. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. 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}} 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. At the time of his death, the culmination of William Smith's earnings as an actor and his many other ventures led to a net worth of around $7 million, according to Famous People Net Worth. William Smith, star of Laredo and Rich Man, Poor Man, has died at 88 years old. Falconetti and William Smith. American actor William Smith, circa 1975. His agent described him as "one of the greatest actors of . William Smith, a longtime film and TV tough guy, passed away on Monday, July 5th, as confirmed by his wife Joanne Cervelli Smith. They were still obviously drawn to one another, though, and got remarried a couple months later in August 1967.. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Im watching him now In a bunch of old 70s biker movies .. another surprise. Who do you cast to play Conan The Barbarians daddy? window.googletag.cmd.push(function() { } He was 88. [1], Smith died at the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital in Los Angeles, on July 5, 2021, at the age of 88. William Smith Obituary: In the loving memory of William Smith, we are saddened to inform you that William Smith, a beloved and loyal friend, has passed away. 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. He grew up with his three siblings, two sisters, and a brother, Nancy Kelly, Carole Kelly, and William Clement Kelly respectively. Those who read the 'About' page were given a believable account of the American actor's passing: " At about 11 a.m. 5 William Smith has died Credit: CBS 5 William fought Clint in Any Which Way You Can Credit: Alamy This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. This is not the first time that an actor . The star of 1980's Any . 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. Over the next thirty years, Smith became one of the kings of B-movie and television villainy. So insanely violent for its time. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Check out what's clicking today in entertainment. 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. 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.". 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. He played a general in the 1984 cult classicRed Dawn, speaking fluent Russian which was only one of the six languages he spoke. She declined to give the cause of death. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. His last role was in the 2020 film "Irresistible," written and directed by Jon Stewart. Early years [ edit ] Born in New York City, Redfield was the son of Henry C. Redfield and the former Mareta A. George. Will Smith died after being shot eight times, including seven times in the back, Orleans Parish coroner Dr. Jeffrey Rouse said Wednesday (April 13). Smith was a fascinating guy who had many interests that extended beyond acting. After returning to California, Smith continued acting and starred in films like 'Run, Angel, Run! Joanne Cervelli Smith, his wife of 31 years,confirmed the actor's death to USA TODAY on Friday. 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. THE COLD WIRE IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF COLD WIRE MEDIA. One of which was with Clint Eastwood in the film"Any Which Way You Can." William Smith. A lifelong bodybuilder, Smith was a record holder for reverse-curling his own body weight. 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. The actor was famously known for his stint as Falconetti in 1976s 'Rich Man, Poor Man'. Security Squadron 6907.While working towards his doctorate, he landed a contract with MGM and never looked back. },false) (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.". ga('create', 'UA-67136960-15', 'auto', 'ads'); 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. 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. In a Hollywood career spanning more than 75 years, he appeared in almost three hundred feature films and television. Smith started in the 1940s as a child actor. One of his earliest leading roles was as Joe Riley, a good-natured Texas Ranger on the NBC western series Laredo (19651967). 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. William C. Bill Watson, 59, of Princeville, Kauai, a retired movie actor, died Nov. 5 at home. In a career span of more than 75 years, Smith appeared in almost three hundred feature films and television productions. media-tech companies with hubs around the world. He also played Conan the Barbarians (played by Arnold Schwarzenegger) father in the 1982 film Conan. document.querySelector("#google_image_div").addEventListener('click',function(){ Smith was also an accomplished athlete, receiving a lifetime achievement award from the Academy of Bodybuilding and Fitness in 1995. The 88 year olds cause of death is unknown; he died at the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital in Woodland Hills, California. 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 films and TV performances bring me great viewing pleasure. . }); You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! That was a real fight with real blood and real broken bones. 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. (Stephen Shugerman/Getty Images). }); He left tinsel town for a bit when he enlisted in the Army to fight in the Korean War. 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. In 1995, Smith received a lifetime achievement award from the Academy of Bodybuilding and Fitness. He was 88. At UCLA where he earned his Masters Degree, he was an elite discus thrower. William H Gates, philanthropist and father of Bill Gates, has provided DeathList 2020 with another score. Born in Chicago, Ill., he is survived by daughter Mililani ; sons william II and Keoni and! & # x27 ; s william smith actor cause of death, Joanne Cervelli Smith, star of Laredo and Rich,! An initialism for Media william smith actor cause of death Arts WorldWide about the notorious scene years,! 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