So insanely violent for its time. William C. Bill Watson, 59, of Princeville, Kauai, a retired movie actor, died Nov. 5 at home. William Smith, the veteran actor best known for starring in the 1976 TV miniseries Rich Man, Poor Man and the original Hawaii Five-O has died. "; his character beats and rapes Amanda Blake's character Miss Kitty Russell and shoots her twice in the back. 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. 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. One of those great men you thought would live forever. The star of 1980's Any . }); Welsh-born Simons played the character. The 88 year olds cause of death is unknown; he died at the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital in Woodland Hills, California. }); ga('ads.send', { eventAction: 'click_image_ads' The sources said officers responded to Williams' home at approximately 2 p.m. local time and found him dead in his living room. 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. ", Another tweeted, "Rest in Peace, William Smith. She survives him, along with their son . To me, it was like the hand-to-hand combat version of the Battle of Bloody Porch. Smith's wife, Joanne Cervelli Smith, confirmed the news of his death to The Hollywood Reporter, but did not mention the cause. 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 Im watching him now In a bunch of old 70s biker movies .. another surprise. 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). William Smith was in the Season 12 Classic HFO season 1979-1980. ", Smith would take part in another classic screen brawl, this one with Rod Taylor, as a bodybuilder in the 1970 film "Darker Than Amber. 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. Smith had three broken ribs, and Taylor had a broken nose. All rights reserved. ga('ads.send', { In a Hollywood career spanning more than 75 years, he appeared in almost three hundred feature films and television. Mr. Smith's wife, Joanne. 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. He was 88. Required fields are marked *. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. This man was one of the best actors Ive ever seen. 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. R.I.P. 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. In 2009, Smith published The Poetic Works of William Smith. },false) 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." He was 88. }); In addition to wife Joanne, Smith leaves behind a daughter, Sherri, and a son,William III. On the big screen, Smith became the star of several cult movies from the early seventies. 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 1970s. window.googletag.pubads().addEventListener('slotOnload', function(event) { His wife,. 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. 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 probably best known for his portrayal as "Falconetti" in Rich Man, Poor Man (1976). }); [1] Smith later reported that Taylor was "a very tough guy" who broke three of his ribs while he broke Taylor's nose.[7]. William Smith. [1], Smith died at the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital in Los Angeles, on July 5, 2021, at the age of 88. Beginning at eight years old, he earned small, uncredited roles in the movies The Ghost of Frankenstein and A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. ET on Sunday (February 26, 2023), our beloved actor Will Smith passed away. 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. . The coroner said Smith's death "has 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. Security Squadron 6907.While working towards his doctorate, he landed a contract with MGM and never looked back. The man has nearly 300 roles in both films and television. pg.acq.push(function() { Smith was involved in a fight scene alongside Clint Eastwood in the 1980 movie Any Which Way You Can. William Hurt, the Oscar-winning star of "Kiss of the Spider Woman," "The Big Chill," and "Broadcast News," has died, his son Will told The Hollywood Reporter. William Smith (March 24, 1933 - July 5, 2021) was an American actor. reporters on a platform technologically tailored to meet the needs of the modern reader. One of those great men you thought would live forever. The Tragic Death Of Action Star William Smith. MEAWW brings you the best content from its global team of 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?) I'll never forget that fearsome brawl between Rod Taylor and William Smith in Darker than Amber. 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. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. The actor was famously known for his stint as Falconetti in 1976s 'Rich Man, Poor Man'. He was 71. He was 88. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. eventAction: 'click_adunit' 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. In 2009, he published The Poetic Works of William Smith. Back in his heyday, the bodybuilder was a champion discus thrower at UCLA, an arm-wrestling and boxing champion and a martial arts black belt. Here are three cold hard facts about William Smith. ", 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'. Fans took to Twitter and posted messages of condolence for the iconic actor remembering his great performances. Smith was 88 years old. } Hollywood mourned Oscar-winning actor William Hurt Sunday, after his death at 71. 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. & Company, Chrome and Hot Leather, Gentle Savage andEye of the Tiger., He played Texas Ranger Joe Riley in TVs Laredo from 1965 to 1967, and later joined the original cast of Hawaii Five-O for its last season in 1980. Smith also was a part of the first miniseries broadcast on American television, Rich Man, Poor Man.. William Emmett Smith (March 24, 1933 July 5, 2021) was an American actor. John Smith, who starred in the television westerns "Laramie" and "Cimarron City," died on Jan. 25 at his home here. R.I.P William Smith & thanks for the memories. He was 54. Smith is survived by his wife of 31 years, Joanne Cervelli Smith and his two children William E. Smith III and Sherri Anne Cervelli. His son Alexander Hurt announced the death in a statement but did not give a cause. eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), 1:44 William Smith, an action star from classic films like "Any Which Way You Can" and "Red Dawn," died on Monday. In excellent shape and healthy living. The Associated Press contributed to this report. He was reportedly also fluent in French, German and Serbo-Croatian.[3]. He was 88. 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. Police said. In 1972, he appeared in a Columbo episode "The Greenhouse Jungle" as Ken Nichols, a handsome swindler who may be a person of interest in Columbo's murder investigation. Your email address will not be published. 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 Outside of his career in Hollywood, Smith had forged a successful career in the U.S. Air Force and the NSA. Gerry Byrne . American actor William Smith passed away at the age of 88 years old on July 9, 2021. Chick Vennera, Robert Downey Sr, Richard Donner and Frank Bonner are to name a few. He was 88. A legend. if(document.querySelector("#google_image_div")){ },false) His wife Joanne Cervelli Smith, who confirmed the news to THR, didn't reveal the cause for his death. . 226, Last edited on 28 February 2023, at 01:32, Learn how and when to remove this template message, Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital, "William Smith, Action Star Known for His Onscreen Brawls, Dies at 88", "William Smith | Brilliant Classroom Characters: The Top 10 Wicked Smart Actors", "William Smith: My fight with Clint Eastwood was longest two-man fight scene on screen", "William Smith, Action Actor and Star of 'Laredo' and 'Rich Man, Poor Man,' Dies at 88", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=William_Smith_(actor)&oldid=1142010105, This page was last edited on 28 February 2023, at 01:32. Smith served in the United States Air Force. 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. A lifelong bodybuilder, Smith was a record holder for reverse-curling his own body weight. Pigott-Smith was found dead on 7 April 2017, aged 70. }) 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. 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'. Details of death: Died at the. 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. Heis survived by his wife, hissonWilliam E. Smith III and his daughterSherri Anne Cervelli. We've received your submission. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Cherry Festival Carnival Ride Nearly Topples Over (Video). 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 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 started in the 1940s as a child actor. He was 63. (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.". 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. A unique soul with a great personality has an amazing sense of humour, diligent and caring. He was 31-1 in amateur boxing bouts and was also an accomplished arm wrestler, winning multiple championships in the 200-pound weight class. And he played Detective James "Kimo" Carew in the final season of the original "Hawaii Five-O" on CBS in 1979 and 1980. Published: Jul. Laredo star William Smith died on Monday at the age of 88. Early years [ edit ] Born in New York City, Redfield was the son of Henry C. Redfield and the former Mareta A. George. 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. The Poetic Works of William Smith is a collection of his poetry, photos spanning his life and films, his filmography and a biography of one of the . That one was so realistic that both Smith and Taylor suffered injuries during the filming of it. Rumors that actor Will Smith has passed away started surfacing online in 2022, but the actor is not dead. His wife, Joanne Cervelli Smith, confirmed that the action star passed away at the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital on July 5. Rest in peace to a great actor. 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', ", Another tweeted, "A sad day for Classic HFO fans. To me, it was like the hand-to-hand combat version of the Battle of Bloody Porch. Smith has been described as the "greatest bad-guy character actor of our time".[5]. Your email address will not be published. His last role was in the 2020 film "Irresistible," written and directed by Jon Stewart. } Over the next thirty years, Smith became one of the kings of B-movie and television villainy. William Emmett Smith (March 24, 1933 - July 5, 2021) was an American actor. William Smith was in the Season 12 Classic HFO season 1979-1980. eventAction: 'click_ads' eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), Before he was known as a bodybuilder and tough guy, Smith was a child actor in Hollywood. 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. 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. 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