2023 COLD WIRE MEDIA. Deadline noted that Smithpursued higher educationin Syracuse, Munich, and Paris before he graduated Cum Laude from UCLA, earning a master's degree. RIP, Big Bill. William Smith. 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 . William's final appearance in his film career was in the comedyIrresistible, which starred Steve Carell. }) } In 1995, Smith received a lifetime achievement award from the Academy of Bodybuilding and Fitness. So insanely violent for its time. 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). 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. She declined to give the cause of death. According to the outlet, Smith was known for his roles on television, including "Laredo,". AIR Awareness Outreach; AIR Business Lunch & Learn; AIR Community of Kindness; AIR Dogs: Paws For Minds AIR Hero AIR & NJAMHAA Conference 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. Smith was 88 years old. At UCLA where he earned his Masters Degree, he was an elite discus thrower. The iconic actor also was a part of the first miniseries broadcast on American television, 'Rich Man, Poor Man'. However, his first role was an uncredited one where he played a village boy in "The Ghost of Frankenstein" in 1942. He was 88. Action star William Smith, known for his roles in "Rich Man, Poor Man" and "Laredo," died Monday, according to the New York Post. In excellent shape and healthy living. He was also famous as televisions last tobacco-advertising Marlboro Man. Action junkies and film enthusiasts shared their love for William on the web. She declined to give the cause of death. In the years from 1961 to 2014, Smith established himself as a highly prolific and profoundly talented character actor with roles in a diverse range of genres. }); His career spans 60 years of acting in some of the most popular films and television shows of all time. 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. Actor William Smith | The Official Website | The Poetic Works of In excellent shape and healthy living. In addition to wife Joanne, Smith leaves behind a daughter, Sherri, and a son,William III. eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), Fans took to Twitter and posted messages of condolence for the iconic actor remembering his great performances. ", Another fan wrote: "Farewell to the last great Bad Ass of TV & movies, William Smith. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Along with his wife of 31 years, Smith is survived by his two children, William E. Smith III and Sherri Anne Cervelli. eventAction: 'click_ads' A fluent Russian speaker, during the Korean War Smith was a Russian Intercept Interrogator and flew secret ferret missions over the Russian SFSR. All in a days work.". William Smith death: 'Hawaii Five-O' star dead at 88, fans mourn His character was a boxer named Jack Smith. He would later become an elite discus thrower at UCLA, a martial arts black belt and a champion arm-wrestler. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. He was throwing punches with Rod Taylor for the 1970 film Darker Than Amber when the two began fighting each other for real. 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. ICONIC actor William Smith, who tussled with Clint Eastwood in the movies, has died at the age of 88. The Tragic Death Of Action Star William Smith - NickiSwift.com 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. To me, it was like the hand-to-hand combat version of the Battle of Bloody Porch. Tremendous screen presence. 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. He was a regular on the 1961 ABC television series The Asphalt Jungle, portraying police Sergeant Danny Keller. The Duke and Duchess are not as 'stunned' about the . For iPhone click here, for Android click here. Get breaking news alerts& today's headlines inyour inbox. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. 'Laredo' actor William Smith dies at 88; played cowboys, brawlers Spoke fluent French, Italian, and Russian. Smith was a fascinating guy who had many interests that extended beyond acting. 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Jodie Turner-Smith made a head-turning exit from a fancy hotel on Thursday. R.I.P. Besides all of these skills and interests, Smith was a poet. Actor William Smith, who brawled with Clint Eastwood and Rod Taylor on ga('ads.send', { He was 88. 'Laredo,' 'Any Which Way You Can' actor William Smith dead at 88 Chick Vennera, Robert Downey Sr, Richard Donner and Frank Bonner are to name a few. His wife,. About Us; Staff; Camps; Scuba. }); Smith was infamously known for fighting with Clint Eastwood in Any Which Way You Can, a 1980 movie. }); 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. Here is all you want to know, and more! A legend. 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.. Actor William Smith, who was famous for starring in television shows like 'Hawaii Five-O' and 'Laredo', has died. 'Laredo' actor William Smith dies at 88 | Daily Sentinel He was 88. 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. On the big screen, Smith became the star of several cult movies from the early seventies. 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. 'Laredo' actor William Smith dies; played cowboys, brawlers - 13abc He could speak six languages which made him a valuable asset during his military service. He left tinsel town for a bit when he enlisted in the Army to fight in the Korean War. 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. Jodie Turner-Smith sends temperatures soaring as she struts out of 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. 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. In 1967, Smith guest starred as Jude Bonner on James Arness's long-lived western Gunsmoke. 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 . According to the outlet, Smith was known for his roles on television, including "Laredo," "Rich Man, Poor Man," and "Hawaii Five-O." 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. Smith joined the cast of the final season of Hawaii Five-O as Detective James "Kimo" Carew, a new officer in the Five-O unit. pic.twitter.com/UJVpOSTted, R.I.P to the Hollywood Man himself William Smith. John Smith, Star of 'Laramie,' 'Cimarron City,' Dies at 63 Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Get the best of Fox News' entertainment coverage, right in your inbox. window.googletag.pubads().addEventListener('slotOnload', function(event) { In addition to his wife of 31 years, he is survived by a son, William E. Smith III, and a daughter, Sherri Anne Cervelli. 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. Smith is survived by Joanne, his wife of 31 years, and his son, William E. Smith III and daughter, Sherri Anne Cervell. or redistributed. 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. [1] Smith later reported that Taylor was "a very tough guy" who broke three of his ribs while he broke Taylor's nose.[7]. You can reach her at Melissa.Roberto@fox.com. Throughout his life, he was interested in bodybuilding and boxing. ga('create', 'UA-67136960-15', 'auto', 'ads'); Rest in Prominence & Peace, Big Bill. Here is all you want to know, and more! 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 1972 and 1975, respectively, he appeared in two popular Blaxploitation films, Hammer and the controversially titled Boss Nigger, both with Fred Williamson. Legal Statement. Melissa Roberto covers entertainment at Foxnews.com. 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 1990s.[2]. and Company', 'Chrome and Hot Leather,' 'Gentle Savage' and 'Eye of the Tiger'. ga('ads.send', { RIP, Big Bill, A sad day for Classic HFO fans. He won the 200-pound (91kg) arm-wrestling championship of the world multiple times and also won the United States Air Force weightlifting championship. }); Actor William Smith, who was famous for starring in television shows like 'Hawaii Five-O' and 'Laredo', has died. Later in his career, he was the "go-to-guy" for biker films, like "The Losers" and "Chrome and Hot Leather," in the 1970s. }); 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 . One of his earliest leading roles was as Joe Riley, a good-natured Texas Ranger on the NBC western series Laredo (19651967). Wayne LaFarr/YouTube. 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. . window.googletag.pubads().addEventListener('impressionViewable', function(event) { Actor William Smith | The Official Website | The Poetic Works of William was born on his mother's 38th birthday. Smith's wife, Joanne Cervelli Smith, confirmed the news of his death to The Hollywood Reporter, but did not mention the cause. ", "To me, it was like the hand-to-hand combat version of the Battle of Bloody Porch. With his chiseled, mustachioed face and bulging biceps, Smith was a constant, rugged presence on screen in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, amassing nearly 300 credits. Actor William Smith, who played cowboys, brawlers and no-nonsense tough guys in nearly 300 films and television shows, has died at 88 . Hislegacy as an action star of both film and television for several decades will live on. 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. He was 88. Market data provided by Factset. William Smith Dead: Action Actor of 'Laredo,' 'Rich Man, Poor Man' Was 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. View. Smith appeared as heavy Terry Bartell in Darker than Amber in 1970. Required fields are marked *. 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.. 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. Smith is survived by his wife, son, William E. Smith III, and daughter, Sherri Anne Cervelli. William Smith obituary: "Laredo" star dies at 88 - Legacy.com Smith was a fascinating person with a diverse background. William Smith: Actor Dies At 88 (3 Cold Hard Facts) - The Cold Wire He was 88. 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. He was so convincing as a villain that people attacked him in the streets! 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.