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. Joanne Cervelli Smith, his wife of 31 years,confirmed the actor's death to USA TODAY on Friday. ", 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.". 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. }); Falconetti and William Smith. 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 The anime actor's cause of death wasn't immediately released, but he had been battling end-stage cardiac obstructive pulmonary disease since 2017. . 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. He started his career way back in the 40's and is still going strong. [8], For other people named William Smith, see, Louis Paul (2007). The actor was famously known for his stint as Falconetti in 1976s 'Rich Man, Poor Man'. In 1967, Smith guest starred as Jude Bonner on James Arness's long-lived western Gunsmoke. 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. 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. 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.. 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. Actor William Smith, who was famous for starring in television shows like 'Hawaii Five-O' and 'Laredo', has died. Market data provided by Factset. Actor, 65, was on way to meet wife Kathryn Kranhold. Fans took to Twitter and posted messages of condolence for the iconic actor remembering his great performances. To me, it was like the hand-to-hand combat version of the Battle of Bloody Porch. Actor William Smith, known for playing bikers, cowboys and brawlers in a series of television shows and hit movies, has died. We are one of the worlds fastest growing ", 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'. In excellent shape and healthy living. He left tinsel town for a bit when he enlisted in the Army to fight in the Korean War. 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. . By Spencer Perry - July 9, 2021 07:02 pm EDT. 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." LOS ANGELES (AP) Actor William Smith, who played bikers, brawlers, cowboys and no-nonsense tough guys in films and television . He was so convincing as a villain that people attacked him in the streets! He is alive and doing just fine. She survives him, along with their son . American actor William Smith passed away at the age of 88 years old on July 9, 2021. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. On the silver screen, Smith also acted in popular films. William Smith was in the Season 12 Classic HFO season 1979-1980. Reports: Chick Vennera, 'Golden Girls' and 'Thank God It's Friday' actor, dies at 74. william traylor actor 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. Tremendous screen presence. He was a regular on the 1961 ABC television series The Asphalt Jungle, portraying police Sergeant Danny Keller. 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. He was 88. "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'. Beginning at eight years old, he earned small, uncredited roles in the movies The Ghost of Frankenstein and A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. American actor William Smith, circa 1975. - IMDb Mini Biography By: Warren C. Staib (updated by R.M. if(document.querySelector("#ads")){ ga('ads.send', { hitType: 'event', 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. Joanne Cervelli Smith, his wife of 31 years, confirmed the. 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}} William Smith, an actor with an impressively diverse 78-year career in Hollywood, died July 5 at the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital in Woodland Hills, California. }); Actor William Smith, who was famous for starring in television shows like 'Hawaii Five-O' and 'Laredo', has died. 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. His last role was in the 2020 film "Irresistible," written and directed by Jon Stewart. 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"). 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. Good actor ! Born in Chicago, Ill., he is survived by daughter Mililani; sons William II and Keoni; and brother Jim. Mountain Climber Movie Actor Movie Actress Music Producer Non-fiction Author Novelist 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 Who do you cast to play Conan The Barbarians daddy? ga('ads.send', { He was 63. Smith began his long Hollywood career as a child actor in the 40s, when his family moved to Southern California from the Dust Bowl. In 1976, Smith was also part of the first miniseries on American television, "Rich Man, Poor Man" on ABC. #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. 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?) His wife, Joanne Cervelli Smith, confirmed his passing to the Hollywood Reporter. } 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.". 1. R.I.P. Television and action star William Smith has died at 88, The Hollywood Reporter confirmed on July 9. Rod is a skilled fighter and at the same time a real scrapper." ga('ads.send', { He was 88. A Washington . 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. He was 88. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Cherry Festival Carnival Ride Nearly Topples Over (Video). William Smith. The coroner said Smith's death "has Smith's wife,Joanne Cervelli Smith, confirmed the news of his death to The Hollywood Reporter, but did not mention the cause. if(document.querySelector("#adunit")){ Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Market data provided by Factset. Outside of his career in Hollywood, Smith had forged a successful career in the U.S. Air Force and the NSA. },false) Besides being highly educated, Smith was known for his build and physique, earning recognition for his action sequences in multiple films. Will Smith was born on September 25, 1968 in Philadelphia. Tom Smith 49: Rugby Player: 45 1: Terry Jones 78: Monty Python: 46 1 . In 2009, he published The Poetic Works of William Smith. 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