ga('ads.send', { How did Joy Vogelsang die? Joanne Cervelli Smith, his wife of 31 years, confirmed the actor's death in USA TODAY on Friday. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. A legend. Smith was 88 years old. eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), William Smith was in the Season 12 Classic HFO season 1979-1980. ", 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.". 'Laredo' actor William Smith dies at 88. . He was so convincing as a villain that people attacked him in the streets! His films and TV performances bring me great viewing pleasure. 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. 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. So insanely violent for its time. So insanely violent for its time. Legal Statement. He played Natalie Wood's character's father in Rebel Without a Cause. 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, confirmed that the action star passed away at the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital on July 5. 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. } It was the final season. Besides being highly educated, Smith was known for his build and physique, earning recognition for his action sequences in multiple films. But he is so much more than just an actor. The actor also played Detective James "Kimo" Carew in the final 1979 season of Hawaii Five-O. He was a polyglot, a bodybuilder, a champion discus thrower and an Air Force pilot during the Korean War, according to his website. American actor William Smith passed away at the age of 88 years old on July 9, 2021. 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). William Smith was an actor known for roles in movies and TV shows including Laredo and Rich Man, Poor Man.. The Sun is your go to destination for the best celebrity news, football news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. 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. }); William Smith, Action Star Known for His Onscreen Brawls, Dies at 88 Despite not receiving the best reviews, film critic Roger Ebert enjoyed the pair acting together. }); Actor William Smith, who was famous for starring in television shows like 'Hawaii Five-O' and 'Laredo', has died. In addition to wife Joanne, Smith leaves behind a daughter, Sherri, and a son,William III. The actor William Smith in 1978. No cause of death was immediately made public. How did William Smith die? GLEE STAR HEATHER MORRIS HONORS NAYA RIVERA WITH TRIBUTE TATTOO: TOMORROW IS NOT PROMISED, American actor William Smith, circa 1975. [8], For other people named William Smith, see, Louis Paul (2007). 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. 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. 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. William Smith, star of Laredo and Rich Man, Poor Man, has died at 88 years old. Inside Josh Duggar's lonely 35th birthday in prison solitary confinement, Honey Boo Boo, 17, & boyfriend, 21, found with gun & drugs in car in arrest, Today's Hoda Kotb looks solemn on stroll with daughter amid show absence, Jill Duggar reveals she's 'so proud' of husband's major career change in new pic, 2020 THE SUN, US, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | TERMS OF USE | PRIVACY | YOUR AD CHOICES | SITEMAP, William fought Clint in Any Which Way You Can, William 'played a lot of motorcycle gang leaders in films', William posed with the rest of the Hawaii Five-O cast for a photo. We are one of the worlds fastest growing window.googletag.cmd.push(function() { 'Laredo' actor William Smith dies; played cowboys, brawlers - 13abc 'Laredo' actor William Smith dies at 88; played cowboys, brawlers 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. Scarlett Johansson 'quickly killed' Black Widow's sexy blo Canadian teacher with size-Z prosthetic breasts placed on paid leave, What's next for Buster Murdaugh after dad's murder conviction, life sentence, Murdaugh son collapsed outside court after sitting stone-faced through dad's 6-week murder trial: source, Tom Sandoval breaks silence on Ariana Madix split amid cheating claims, Kelly Osbourne posts first photo of baby son as he hangs out with uncle Jack, Greys Anatomy alum Isaiah Washington retiring from acting: The haters have won, Chris Rock Jokes About Watching Emancipation to See Will Smith Getting Whipped In Advance of Netflix Special: Report, Kellyanne Conway and George Conway to divorce. 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. if(document.querySelector("#ads")){ According to the outlet, Smith was known for his roles on television, including "Laredo," "Rich Man, Poor Man," and "Hawaii Five-O." eventAction: 'view' William Smith, an action star from classic movies like "Any Which Way You Can" and "Red Dawn," died Monday. Throughout his life, he was interested in bodybuilding and boxing. To me, it was like the hand-to-hand combat version of the Battle of Bloody Porch. R.I.P. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. With his chiseled, mustachioed face and bulging biceps, Mr. Smith was a constant, rugged presence on screen in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, amassing nearly . Smith was a U.S. Air Force veteran of the Korean War. He could speak six languages which made him a valuable asset during his military service. 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. 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. Deadline noted that Smithpursued higher educationin Syracuse, Munich, and Paris before he graduated Cum Laude from UCLA, earning a master's degree. ', 'The Losers', 'Angels Die Hard', 'C.C. 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. In addition to his wife, Mr. Smith is survived by his son, William E. Smith III, and his daughter, Sherri Anne Cervelli. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. 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 . Actor William Smith | The Official Website | The Poetic Works of You can reach her at Melissa.Roberto@fox.com. Mr. Smith had more than 300 acting credits listed on IMDb from 1954 to 2020. He died. #RIP #WilliamSmith. William Smith's Death - Cause and Date - The Celebrity Deaths Any Which Way You Can star William Smith dies at 88 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 88 year olds cause of death is unknown; he died at the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital in Woodland Hills, California. AIR Awareness Outreach; AIR Business Lunch & Learn; AIR Community of Kindness; AIR Dogs: Paws For Minds AIR Hero AIR & NJAMHAA Conference Both walked away with broken bones. His career spans 60 years of acting in some of the most popular films and television shows of all time. #RIP #WilliamSmith JC, 'Very open to the idea': Julia Wandelt takes DNA test to verify if she is missing Swiss girl Livia Schepp, Kayla Lemieux: Teacher with prosthetic Z-cup breasts suspended WITH PAY after pics show her dressed as man, 'We have lots to reveal': Madeleine McCann lookalike Julia Wandelt posts footage of meeting with PI probing claims, Lindsay Clancy case: Psychologist reveals psychosis red flags family members could have spotted, Horror at Larchwood Care! News editor, Legacy.com. Perhaps most well known for his portrayal of Anthony Falconetti in the miniseries Rich Man, Poor Man, he was also notable for his role as James Kimo Carew in Hawaii Five-O, as well as for his work in The Virginian; The Asphalt Jungle; Laredo; and Zero One. Smith died on July 5 at the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital in Woodland Hills, California. One fan commented, "I'll never forget that fearsome brawl between Rod Taylor and William Smith in Darker than Amber. 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. . Laredo star William Smith died on Monday at the age of 88. A fluent Russian speaker, during the Korean War Smith was a Russian Intercept Interrogator and flew secret ferret missions over the Russian SFSR. He played Detective Jim Kimo Carew on the final season of Hawaii Five-O and made appearances on other TV shows including Batman, Dukes of Hazzard, and The A-Team. It has to be one of the longest two-man fights ever done on film without doubles.. reporters on a platform technologically tailored to meet the needs of the modern reader. 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'. document.querySelector("#adunit").addEventListener('click',function(){ }); He speaks five languages, was an award-winning bodybuilder . The actress, 36, strutted out in a sheer bra which showcased plenty of cleavage and her toned abs. He also played Conan the Barbarians (played by Arnold Schwarzenegger) father in the 1982 film Conan. One of which was with Clint Eastwood in the film"Any Which Way You Can." Smith, whose acting career peaked in the late 1950s, died at his home here on Jan. 25 of what was probably a combination of cirrhosis and heart problems . Scuba Certification; Private Scuba Lessons; Scuba Refresher for Certified Divers; Try Scuba Diving; Enriched Air Diver (Nitrox) The Tragic Death Of Action Star William Smith - NickiSwift.com William Smith Dead: Action Actor of 'Laredo,' 'Rich Man, Poor Man' Was document.querySelector("#google_image_div").addEventListener('click',function(){ The Associated Press contributed to this report. In 1972 and 1975, respectively, he appeared in two popular Blaxploitation films, Hammer and the controversially titled Boss Nigger, both with Fred Williamson. In 1967, Smith guest starred as Jude Bonner on James Arness's long-lived western Gunsmoke. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. 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. In 1995, Smith received a lifetime achievement award from the Academy of Bodybuilding and Fitness. He would later become an elite discus thrower at UCLA, a martial arts black belt and a champion arm-wrestler. ICONIC actor William Smith, who tussled with Clint Eastwood in the movies, has died at the age of 88. His last role was in Irresistible, a 2020 film directed by Jon Stewart. Prince Harry and Meghan are 'ok' about leaving Frogmore Cottage following Buckingham Palace's eviction notice, it has been reported. USE OF THIS SITE CONSTITUTES ACCEPTANCE OF OUR TERMS OF USE AND PRIVACY POLICY. Mr. Smith's wife, Joanne. or redistributed. In excellent shape and healthy living. William Smith (actor) - Wikipedia Jodie Turner-Smith made a head-turning exit from a fancy hotel on Thursday. 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. William Hopper's Death - Cause and Date - The Celebrity Deaths }) Smith was a fascinating person with a diverse background. What a badass legend. eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), William Smith Dies: 'Rich Man, Poor Man', 'Any Which Way You Can' Actor 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." Notifications can be turned off anytime from browser settings. }); The movie actor William Hopper died at the age of 55. } Hollywood actor William Smith, who has played the roles of bikers, brawlers, cowboys and tough guys in films and television shows like 'Laredo', 'Rich Man, Poor Man' and 'Any Which Way You Can' has died at the age of 88. William Smith was born on March 24, 1933, in Columbia, Missouri, on a Hereford cattle ranch owned by his family. "It was to my immense delight that I immediately recognized the actor playing Jack Wilson," Ebert wrote. The iconic actor also was a part of the first miniseries broadcast on American television, 'Rich Man, Poor Man'. The Tragic Death Of Action Star William Smith. After that, he played a vindictive sergeant in Twilight's Last Gleaming (1977) with an all-star cast headed by Burt Lancaster and Richard Widmark, a drag-racing legend in Fast Company (1979) also co-starring Claudia Jennings and John Saxon, the main character's father in Conan the Barbarian (1982) with Arnold Schwarzenegger, bad guy Matt Diggs in The Frisco Kid (1979) opposite Gene Wilder and Harrison Ford, and Clint Eastwood's bare-knuckle opponent Jack Wilson in 1980's Any Which Way You Can (a sequel to 1978's Every Which Way But Loose in which Smith did not appear), and also had a top villainous role of the Soviet commander in the hit 1984 theatrical film Red Dawn. 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. She did not reveal the cause of his death. Beginning at eight years old, he earned small, uncredited roles in the movies The Ghost of Frankenstein and A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. She declined to give the cause of death. The Hollywood Reporter noted that Taylor broke three of Smith's ribs, while Smith broke Taylor's nosefilming of the scene. Tales from the Cult Film Trenches: Interviews with 36 Actors from Horror, Science Fiction and Exploitation Cinema. hitType: 'event', The Heartbreaking Death Of Action Star William Smith. The place to find Mr. Smith, even as an older man, was the gym, Ms. Smith said. William Smith, 'Laredo' actor known for playing cowboys and brawlers Smith is survived by Joanne, his wife of 31 years, and his son, William E. Smith III and daughter, Sherri Anne Cervell. So insanely violent for its time. Smith has been described as the "greatest bad-guy character actor of our time".[5]. He won the 200-pound (91kg) arm-wrestling championship of the world multiple times and also won the United States Air Force weightlifting championship. eventAction: 'load' William Smith dead aged 88 - actor who played Clint Eastwood's nemesis He was 88. 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. He was 88. His wife, Joanne Cervelli Smith, confirmed his passing to the Hollywood Reporter. She declined to give the cause of death. Smith's wife, Joanne Cervelli Smith, said the star. hitType: 'event', In fact, his career spanned over several decades with his first official TV credit in the 1950s, according to IMDb. eventAction: 'click_ads' window.googletag.pubads().addEventListener('slotRenderEnded', function(event) { He was so convincing as a villain that people attacked him in the streets!R.I.P William Smith & thanks for the memories pic.twitter.com/YjOkgnHUUa. One of those great men you thought would live forever. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. With his chiseled . He spent his early days in Columbia, Missouri. William Smith - Biography - IMDb He was 88 years old. Action junkies and film enthusiasts shared their love for William on the web. That was a real fight with real blood and real broken bones. Mountain Climber Movie Actor Movie Actress Music Producer Non-fiction Author Novelist 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. The TV actor William Smith died at the age of 88. Rod is a skilled fighter and at the same time a real scrapper." Good actor ! Smith appeared as heavy Terry Bartell in Darker than Amber in 1970. Quoted by CNN, the New York Times, and Macleans. Wayne LaFarr/YouTube. All in a days work.". A bodybuilder himself, The Rockford Files actor appeared in the cult classic Conan the Barbarian. William Smith. Copyright 2023 /The Celebrity Deaths.com/All Rights Reserved. [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. hitType: 'event', ", 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". Smith was a fascinating person with a diverse background. He was 88. Fox News Flash top entertainment and celebrity headlines are here. Mr. Smith, who was born on March 24, 1933, grew up on a cattle ranch in Missouri owned by his parents, William Emmett Smith and Emily Richards Smith. ", Another tweeted, "A sad day for Classic HFO fans. Besides all of these skills and interests, Smith was a poet. His marriage to Michele Smith produced one child before ending in divorce; he later married Joanne Cervelli. Get the best of Fox News' entertainment coverage, right in your inbox. The actor was famously known for his stint as Falconetti in 1976s 'Rich Man, Poor Man'. "It is with great sadness that the Hurt family mourns the passing of William Hurt, beloved father and Oscar winning actor, on March 13, 2022, one week before his 72nd birthday. 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. She declined to give the cause of death. 'Laredo,' 'Any Which Way You Can' actor William Smith dead at 88 hitType: 'event', 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. ga('ads.send', { Here are three cold hard facts about William Smith. ", Another fan wrote: "Farewell to the last great Bad Ass of TV & movies, William Smith. In Rich Man, Poor Man, he played the dangerous and eccentric character Anthony Falconetti, which he would later reprise in a follow-up to the series, Rich Man, Poor Man Book II.. hitType: 'event', RIP, Big Bill, A sad day for Classic HFO fans. To me, it was like the hand-to-hand combat version of the Battle of Bloody Porch. R.I.P William Smith & thanks for the memories. Along with appearing in films, William Smith also made his mark in television. media-tech companies with hubs around the world. She declined to give the cause of death. In 1976, Smith was also part of the first miniseries on American television, "Rich Man, Poor Man" on ABC. In addition to his wife of 31 years, he is survived by a son, William E. Smith III, and a daughter, Sherri Anne Cervelli. 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). Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. RIP#WilliamSmith#RIPWilliamSmith pic.twitter.com/KbTl0tuVe3. Another Twitter user said that Smith was "one of the all time greats," and it's true. William Smith. 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). Later, he joined the cast of "Hawaii Five-O" in its final season as Detective James "Kimo" Carew. }); And he played Detective James "Kimo" Carew in the final season of the original "Hawaii Five-O" on CBS in 1979 and 1980. He was 88. One of those great men you thought would live forever. Im watching him now In a bunch of old 70s biker movies .. another surprise. 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. Here is all you want to know, and more! Ms. Smith said in a phone interview on Sunday that besides the tough guy roles that made her husband a star onscreen, he had a compassionate side as well. However, his first role was an uncredited one where he played a village boy in "The Ghost of Frankenstein" in 1942. With his chiseled, mustachioed face and bulging biceps, Smith was a . He was 88. [citation needed] Smith held a 311 record as an amateur boxer. The Heartbreaking Death Of Action Star William Smith Market data provided by Factset. let gads_event; William Smith dead at 88 as wife confirms passing of actor Fox News Flash top entertainment headlines for July 9, Film industry reacts to death of 'Saving Private Ryan' star Tom Sizemore: 'You're a legend', Matthew McConaughey and Camila Alves take bumpy second flight after 'CHAOS' on Lufthansa plane: 'Wish me luck', Kelsey Grammer wont apologize for the 'difference' that Jesus has made in his life, Person roaming in 'Scream' Ghostface costume prompts multiple police calls, Kelsea Ballerini kisses Chase Stokes after criticizing ex amid nasty divorce. william bramley actor cause of death - nautilusva.com Actor, 65, was on way to meet wife Kathryn Kranhold. May his soul Rest In Peace. Smith started in the 1940s as a child actor. At the ranch, he would develop a love and admiration for horses and the classic Western lifestyle, according to his website. Who do you cast to make Clint Eastwood break a sweat in a fistfight? Legal Statement. 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. & 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. While under contract with MGM, Willaim accepted roles in western and biker-themed flicks and TV shows, such as Gunsmoke and The Virginian. 'Laredo,' 'Any Which Way You Can' actor William Smith dead at 88 Smith served in the United States Air Force. 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. 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 Duke and Duchess are not as 'stunned' about the . 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. In a career span of more than 75 years, Smith appeared in almost three hundred feature films and television productions. 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. William Smith was in the Season 12 Classic HFO season 1979-1980. Smith often played villains as his did in the 1976 ABC miniseries Rich Man, Poor Man, playing the antagonist Anthony Falconetti. Smith starred as Texas Ranger Joe Riley in both seasons of the NBC Western "Laredo" from 1965 to 1967. Although often typecast as an anti-social personality, he sporadically got other kinds of roles as a law enforcement officer or an anti-heroic protagonist. While Mr. Smith was best known for his roles in action movies like Any Which Way You Can (1980), and television shows including Laredo, Rich Man, Poor Man and Hawaii Five-O, the real action came from his offscreen life. William Smith Dead: Brawled With Clint Eastwood, Played Kimo - Deadline