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. Wayne Shorter (19332023), jazz saxophonist who co-founded Weather Irma Serrano (19332023), Mexicos La Tigresa singer and Ricou Browning (19302023), Creature from the Black Lagoons Jerry Richardson (19362023), Carolina Panthers founder, Wayne Shorter (19332023), jazz saxophonist who co-founded Weather Report, Irma Serrano (19332023), Mexicos La Tigresa singer and actress, Ricou Browning (19302023), Creature from the Black Lagoons Gill-man, Burny Mattinson (19352023), Disney animator for decades. McFarland, pg. }) Besides being highly educated, Smith was known for his build and physique, earning recognition for his action sequences in multiple films. William Smith. However, his first role was an uncredited one where he played a village boy in "The Ghost of Frankenstein" in 1942. ICONIC actor William Smith, who tussled with Clint Eastwood in the movies, has died at the age of 88. RIP, Big Bill, A sad day for Classic HFO fans. 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 villains. Legal Statement. Throughout his life, he was interested in bodybuilding and boxing. eventAction: 'view' The Duke and Duchess are not as 'stunned' about the . pic.twitter.com/ISCqVYDgzC, William Smith, god-tier among the grindhouse greats, has left us. Here is all you want to know, and more! ", 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.". Fox News Flash top entertainment and celebrity headlines are here. ", Another fan wrote: "Farewell to the last great Bad Ass of TV & movies, William Smith. ", A third fan added: "Godspeed, William Smith. A bodybuilder himself, The Rockford Files actor appeared in the cult classic Conan the Barbarian. William Smith's net worth is estimated at $7 million. Mr. Smith had more than 300 acting credits listed on IMDb from 1954 to 2020. In addition to his Hollywood legacy, the Missouri native was also a bodybuilder, a champion discus thrower and a published poet. ", Smith would take part in another classic screen brawl, this one with Rod Taylor, as a bodybuilder in the 1970 film "Darker Than Amber. His other movie appearances include Darker Than Amber (1970), The Frisco Kid (1979), The Outsiders (1983), and Red Dawn (1984) in a career with more than 300 acting credits. gads_event = event; 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. Both walked away with broken bones. ", 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". 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. In addition to his wife, Mr. Smith is survived by his son, William E. Smith III, and his daughter, Sherri Anne Cervelli. He did many of his own stunts, and sometimes those scenes got heated. 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. 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. 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. }); RIP, Big Bill. pg.acq.push(function() { eventAction: 'click_adunit' The actor was famously known for his stint as Falconetti in 1976s 'Rich Man, Poor Man'. On the big screen, Smith became the star of several cult movies from the early seventies. William Smith, star of Laredo and Rich Man, Poor Man, has died at 88 years old. According to Famous Net Worth, William Smith was worth $7 million when he died. All in a days work.". Had one son (William Emmett Smith III) with first wife, Michele Smith, and one daughter (Sherri Anne Cervelli DOB: April 24, 1980) with his second wife, Joanne Cervelli. According to the outlet, Smith was known for his roles on television, including "Laredo,". With his chiseled, mustachioed face and bulging biceps, Smith was a . His wife, Joanne Cervelli Smith, confirmed that the action star passed away at the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital on July 5. William was born on his mother's 38th birthday. In excellent shape and healthy living. 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. ga('ads.send', { 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. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! 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. My favorite TV screen villain would be Falconetti from the Rich Man Poor Man miniseries and Rich Man Poor Man Book II. I really enjoyed working with Nick Nolte and Peter Strauss. ", Another tweeted, "A sad day for Classic HFO fans. william brewster van zandt; when is the next wimberley market days; national police and troopers association; Community. 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. His wife Joanne Cervelli Smith, who confirmed the news to THR, didn't reveal the cause for his death. Melissa Roberto covers entertainment at Foxnews.com. The movie actor William Hopper died at the age of 55. Required fields are marked *. With his chiseled, mustachioed face and bulging biceps, Smith was a constant, rugged presence on screen in the 1960s, 1970s and . Smith starred as Texas Ranger Joe Riley in both seasons of the NBC Western "Laredo" from 1965 to 1967. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. He was 88. Actor William Smith, known for playing bikers, cowboys and brawlers in a series of television shows and hit movies, has died. 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. ICONIC actor William Smith, who tussled with Clint Eastwood in the movies, has died at the age of 88. American actor William Smith passed away at the age of 88 years old on July 9, 2021. Jodie teamed the look . Smith began his long Hollywood career as a child actor in the 40s, when his family moved to Southern California from the Dust Bowl. Who do you cast to make Clint Eastwood break a sweat in a fistfight? Smith was 88 years old. 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. The TV actor William Smith died at the age of 88. Action star William Smith, known for his roles in "Rich Man, Poor Man" and "Laredo," died Monday, according to the New York Post. Biography - A Short Wiki '50s television icon who was immortalized for his role as Paul Drake on over 250 episodes of the series, Perry Mason. AIR Awareness Outreach; AIR Business Lunch & Learn; AIR Community of Kindness; AIR Dogs: Paws For Minds AIR Hero AIR & NJAMHAA Conference 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?) USE OF THIS SITE CONSTITUTES ACCEPTANCE OF OUR TERMS OF USE AND PRIVACY POLICY. 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. Whos the baddest of the movie badmen? }); Television and action star William Smithhas diedat 88,The Hollywood Reporterconfirmed on July 9. 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'. } Copyright 2023 /The Celebrity Deaths.com/All Rights Reserved. A fluent Russian speaker, during the Korean War Smith was a Russian Intercept Interrogator and flew secret ferret missions over the Russian SFSR. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. 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 excellent shape and healthy living. The iconic actor also was a part of the first miniseries broadcast on American television, 'Rich Man, Poor Man'. He was 31-1 in amateur boxing bouts and was also an accomplished arm wrestler, winning multiple championships in the 200-pound weight class. He was 88. Back in 1942, William started his professional career as an eight-year-old child actor in The Ghost of Frankenstein, according to Deadline. First, as Texas Ranger Joe Riley in two seasons of "Laredo." eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), Smith appeared as heavy Terry Bartell in Darker than Amber in 1970. Smith died on July 5 at the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital in Woodland Hills, California. Smith was such a hardworking actor that he had over 280 credits in his career, and his most recent one was as the Hofbrau Bar Fly in the 2020 film "Irresistible" (via IMDb). He died. According to the outlet, Smith was known for his roles on television, including "Laredo," "Rich Man, Poor Man," and "Hawaii Five-O." 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.. [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. In fact, his career spanned over several decades with his first official TV credit in the 1950s, according to IMDb. Smith's wife, Joanne Cervelli Smith, said the star. window.googletag.pubads().addEventListener('impressionViewable', function(event) { },false) Throughout his career, Smith was known for persevering in a cutthroat industry. She declined to give the cause of death. It was the final season. He was 88. In 1972 and 1975, respectively, he appeared in two popular Blaxploitation films, Hammer and the controversially titled Boss Nigger, both with Fred Williamson. Home. For iPhone click here, for Android click here. His marriage to Michele Smith produced one child before ending in divorce; he later married Joanne Cervelli. 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. The fact that neither Smith nor Eastwood used body doubles for the scene was confirmed by Smith in a 2014 interview. 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." Smith's wife,Joanne Cervelli Smith, confirmed the news of his death to The Hollywood Reporter, but did not mention the cause. The. To me, it was like the hand-to-hand combat version of the Battle of Bloody Porch. Prince Harry and Meghan are 'ok' about leaving Frogmore Cottage following Buckingham Palace's eviction notice, it has been reported. Who do you cast to play Conan The Barbarians daddy? 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. He was 88. LOS ANGELES (AP) _ John Smith, who changed his name from Robert Earl Van Orden as a joke, then gained starring roles in the TV westerns ``Laramie and ``Cimarron City, has died at age 63. 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. The scene was long but choreographed well. William Smith, an action star from classic films like "Any Which Way You Can" and "Red Dawn," died on Monday. eventAction: 'render' 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. Smith was 88 years old. Tremendous screen presence. "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'. Along with appearing in films, William Smith also made his mark in television. He was also famous as televisions last tobacco-advertising Marlboro Man. 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). Smith served in the United States Air Force. He had previously appeared with Jack Lord in Stoney Burke. 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. One of the great ones. 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. Chick Vennera, Robert Downey Sr, Richard Donner and Frank Bonner are to name a few. Your email address will not be published. May his soul Rest In Peace. William Smith was in the Season 12 Classic HFO season 1979-1980. View. But he is so much more than just an actor. or redistributed. At the ranch, he would develop a love and admiration for horses and the classic Western lifestyle, according to his website. 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 In the 1980s, the 6-foot-2 actor earned roles in Francis Ford Coppolas The Outsiders, (1983) and in Conan the Barbarian (1982), for which he was cast as the father of Conan, who was played by Arnold Schwarzenegger. It was the final season. Market data provided by Factset. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Deadline noted that Smithpursued higher educationin Syracuse, Munich, and Paris before he graduated Cum Laude from UCLA, earning a master's degree. One of those great men you thought would live forever. Smith has been described as the "greatest bad-guy character actor of our time".[5]. His wife,. That was a real fight with real blood and real broken bones. 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. pg.acq.push(function() { She also penned onFacebook, "My heart hurts so badly.". Falconetti and William Smith. Check out what's clicking today in entertainment. In 1976, Smith was also part of the first miniseries on American television, "Rich Man, Poor Man" on ABC. 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. Smith's wife, Joanne Cervelli Smith, confirmed the news of his death to The Hollywood Reporter, but did not mention the cause. What a badass legend. Smith is survived by his wife, son, William E. Smith III, and daughter, Sherri Anne Cervelli. A cause of death was not revealed. 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. She declined to give the cause of death. 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. For the latest news on this story keep checking back at Sun Online. let gads_event; He has 274 credited acting roles on the IMDB database spanning almost 80 years and 30 credits for stunt work during a period of 33 years. 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 on . Smith is survived by Joanne, his wife of 31 years, and his son, William E. Smith III and daughter, Sherri Anne Cervell. He spent his early days in Columbia, Missouri. reporters on a platform technologically tailored to meet the needs of the modern reader. Beginning at eight years old, he earned small, uncredited roles in the movies The Ghost of Frankenstein and A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. He was 88. Market data provided by Factset. 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. 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 on . 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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 10 years before this scene, Smith had another legendary fight scene with Rod Taylor inDarker Than Amber. Before he was known as a bodybuilder and tough guy, Smith was a child actor in Hollywood. William's final appearance in his film career was in the comedyIrresistible, which starred Steve Carell. 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. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. 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. hitType: 'event', In 1995, Smith received a lifetime achievement award from the Academy of Bodybuilding and Fitness. But in an earlier starring role, Texas Ranger Joe Riley on the popular TV show Laredo, Smith was a good guy known for his strength. 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,[2] with his best known role being the menacing Anthony Falconetti in the 1970s television mini-series Rich Man, Poor Man. In 2009, Smith published The Poetic Works of William Smith. Tremendous screen presence. 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. 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. The Tragic Death Of Action Star William Smith. }); The place to find Mr. Smith, even as an older man, was the gym, Ms. Smith said. He was 88. 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. 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). eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), No cause of death was immediately made public. 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. 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. Keep on reading to find out more about one of Smith's most memorable moments on set. Actor, 65, was on way to meet wife Kathryn Kranhold. 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. ", Another tweeted, "Rest in Peace, William Smith. Named 2017's Obituary Writer of the Year by the Society of Professional Obituary Writers. }) RIP, Big Bill. At UCLA where he earned his Masters Degree, he was an elite discus thrower. Rest in Prominence & Peace, Big Bill. 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.