pic.twitter.com/ISCqVYDgzC, William Smith, god-tier among the grindhouse greats, has left us. Joanne Cervelli Smith, his wife of 31 years, confirmed the actor's death to . He started his career way back in the 40's and is still going strong. Im watching him now In a bunch of old 70s biker movies .. another surprise. So insanely violent for its time. While under contract with MGM, Willaim accepted roles in western and biker-themed flicks and TV shows, such as Gunsmoke and The Virginian. 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. That's how you become a cult actor. However, his first role was an uncredited one where he played a village boy in "The Ghost of Frankenstein" in 1942. Keep on reading to find out more about one of Smith's most memorable moments on set. }); 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 . On the silver screen, Smith also acted in popular films. At the time, Smith was just 8 years old (via Deadline). In 2009, he published The Poetic Works of William Smith. GLEE STAR HEATHER MORRIS HONORS NAYA RIVERA WITH TRIBUTE TATTOO: TOMORROW IS NOT PROMISED, American actor William Smith, circa 1975. He served in the Korean War and acted in bit parts in television shows throughout the 1950s before landing a regular role as a police sergeant in the 1961 ABC series "The Asphalt Jungle. Clint Eastwood fans will of course remember his outstanding performance as Jack Wilson in Any Which Way You Can (1980). ga('ads.send', { }); }); William Smith, an action star from classic movies like "Any Which Way You Can" and "Red Dawn," died Monday. [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. One of those great men you thought would live forever. ga('ads.send', { Actor William Smith, who was famous for starring in television shows like 'Hawaii Five-O' and 'Laredo', has died. "Fight choreography and staging went out the window when Rod decided to really hit me," Smith recalled in an interview with the outlet in 2010. pic.twitter.com/tMc8fKJBa5, Phoef Sutton (@phoefsutton) July 10, 2021. 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 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. 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. pg.acq.push(function() { The. pic.twitter.com/UJVpOSTted, Daily Grindhouse (@DailyGrindhouse) July 9, 2021. 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. Joanne Cervelli Smith, his wife of 31 years, confirmed the actor's death in USA TODAY on Friday. She also penned onFacebook, "My heart hurts so badly.". gads_event = event; One of the great ones. 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. One of those great men you thought would live forever. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. William Smith was an actor known for roles in movies and TV shows including Laredo and Rich Man, Poor Man.. Mr. Smith had more than 300 acting credits listed on IMDb from 1954 to 2020. 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. He also played Conan the Barbarians (played by Arnold Schwarzenegger) father in the 1982 film Conan. "It was to my immense delight that I immediately recognized the actor playing Jack Wilson," Ebert wrote. (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.". document.querySelector("#google_image_div").addEventListener('click',function(){ }); But he is so much more than just an actor. }); Actor William Smith, who was famous for starring in television shows like 'Hawaii Five-O' and 'Laredo', has died. To me, it was like the hand-to-hand combat version of the Battle of Bloody Porch. Grandmother with dementia died from face wound neglected by staff for days. 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, said the star. Market data provided by Factset. All in a days work.". ICONIC actor William Smith, who tussled with Clint Eastwood in the movies, has died at the age of 88. The actress, 36, strutted out in a sheer bra which showcased plenty of cleavage and her toned abs. He did many of his own stunts. Television and action star William Smithhas diedat 88,The Hollywood Reporterconfirmed on July 9. 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. 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 To me, it was like the hand-to-hand combat version of the Battle of Bloody Porch. Personal Quotes (2) Sammy [ Sammy Davis Jr.] was really good friends with Peter Brown. It has to be one of the longest two-man fights ever done on film without doubles.. His films and TV performances bring me great viewing pleasure. She declined to give the cause of death. The man has nearly 300 roles in both films and television. The cause of death is unknown. William Smith, an action star from classic films like "Any Which Way You Can" and "Red Dawn," died on Monday. William's final appearance in his film career was in the comedyIrresistible, which starred Steve Carell. }); Smith was a fascinating person with a diverse background. Tremendous screen presence. His last role was in Irresistible, a 2020 film directed by Jon Stewart. Your email address will not be published. Action junkies and film enthusiasts shared their love for William on the web. eventAction: 'render' 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. Home. Nicolas Cage's mom, 85, battled schizophrenia, How did Lisa Banes die? Named 2017's Obituary Writer of the Year by the Society of Professional Obituary Writers. Actor William Smith, known for playing bikers, cowboys and brawlers in a series of television shows and hit movies, has died. 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. Smith was 88 years old. AIR Awareness Outreach; AIR Business Lunch & Learn; AIR Community of Kindness; AIR Dogs: Paws For Minds AIR Hero AIR & NJAMHAA Conference eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), 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. }); The Hollywood Reporter noted that Taylor broke three of Smith's ribs, while Smith broke Taylor's nosefilming of the scene. [8], For other people named William Smith, see, Louis Paul (2007). } He would later become an elite discus thrower at UCLA, a martial arts black belt and a champion arm-wrestler. Fans took to Twitter and posted messages of condolence for the iconic actor remembering his great performances. William Smith (19332021), actor known for Laredo, Rich Man, Poor Man. Thanks for contacting us. eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), Hes definitely tough as nails but he had the heart of a poet, she said. He was throwing punches with Rod Taylor for the 1970 film Darker Than Amber when the two began fighting each other for real. eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), Smith's wife,Joanne Cervelli Smith, confirmed the news of his death to The Hollywood Reporter, but did not mention the cause. pic.twitter.com/UJVpOSTted, R.I.P to the Hollywood Man himself William Smith. Throughout his career, Smith was known for persevering in a cutthroat industry. 'Laredo' actor William Smith dies at 88. . ga('ads.send', { 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. #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! In 1995, Smith received a lifetime achievement award from the Academy of Bodybuilding and Fitness. 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. let gads_event; The actor also played Detective James "Kimo" Carew in the final 1979 season of Hawaii Five-O. Actor, 65, was on way to meet wife Kathryn Kranhold. ", Another tweeted, "A sad day for Classic HFO fans. Besides being highly educated, Smith was known for his build and physique, earning recognition for his action sequences in multiple films. William was born on his mother's 38th birthday. Actor William Smith, who played cowboys, brawlers and no-nonsense tough guys in nearly 300 films and television shows, has died at 88 . eventAction: 'load' 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. William Smith, god-tier among the grindhouse greats, has left us. About Us; Staff; Camps; Scuba. Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TheSunUS and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunUS. 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. }); 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. The fact that neither Smith nor Eastwood used body doubles for the scene was confirmed by Smith in a 2014 interview. In 2009, Mr. Smith published a book of poetry, The Poetic Works of William Smith.. Cue his Darker than Amber fight with Rod Taylor in memoriam. 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." 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. } Prince Harry and Meghan are 'ok' about leaving Frogmore Cottage following Buckingham Palace's eviction notice, it has been reported. 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. He played Natalie Wood's character's father in Rebel Without a Cause. 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. He was a regular on the 1961 ABC television series The Asphalt Jungle, portraying police Sergeant Danny Keller. A legend. ", Another fan wrote: "Farewell to the last great Bad Ass of TV & movies, William Smith. She declined to give the cause of death. Larry Karaszewski, a writer on "American Crime Story," tweeted out that Smith was such a "bad***" that he "thought he'd never die." And he played Detective James "Kimo" Carew in the final season of the original "Hawaii Five-O" on CBS in 1979 and 1980. In addition to his wife, Mr. Smith is survived by his son, William E. Smith III, and his daughter, Sherri Anne Cervelli. eventAction: 'click_ads' Rest in Prominence & Peace, Big Bill. 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. The cause of the actor's death is unknown yet. 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.". William Smith is just that. "; his character beats and rapes Amanda Blake's character Miss Kitty Russell and shoots her twice in the back. Smith starred as Texas Ranger Joe Riley in both seasons of the NBC Western "Laredo" from 1965 to 1967. Anyone can read what you share. William Smith. 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. So insanely violent for its time. Along with his wife of 31 years, Smith is survived by his two children, William E. Smith III and Sherri Anne Cervelli. His wife, Joanne Cervelli Smith, confirmed his passing to the Hollywood Reporter. The Hollywood star William Smith who starred in TV shows including Hawaii Five-O and Rich Man, Poor Man and films including Any Which Way You Can and Conan The Barbarian has died aged 88. 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. 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. 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. He left tinsel town for a bit when he enlisted in the Army to fight in the Korean War. 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. She declined to give the cause of death. Mountain Climber Movie Actor Movie Actress Music Producer Non-fiction Author Novelist Actor William Smith, known for playing bikers, cowboys and brawlers in a series of television shows and hit movies, has died. eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), Your email address will not be published. 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. Mr. Smith had more than 300 acting credits listed on IMDb from 1954 to 2020. Smith is survived by Joanne, his wife of 31 years, and his son, William E. Smith III and daughter, Sherri Anne Cervell. and Company', 'Chrome and Hot Leather,' 'Gentle Savage' and 'Eye of the Tiger'. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. In 1976, Smith was also part of the first miniseries on American television, "Rich Man, Poor Man" on ABC. 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. 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). 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He was so convincing as a villain that people attacked him in the streets! hitType: 'event', May his soul Rest In Peace. Action star William Smith, known for his roles in "Rich Man, Poor Man" and "Laredo," died Monday, according to the New York Post. Smith was known for his roles in western and biker-themed films and TV shows. 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. 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. His wife Joanne Cervelli Smith, who confirmed the news to THR, didn't reveal the cause for his death. He also portrayed Texas Ranger Joe Riley in the two seasons of 'Laredo' and then joined the original cast of 'Hawaii Five-O' for its last season. 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. 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. William Smith, Action Star Known for His Onscreen Brawls, Dies at 88, https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/11/arts/television/william-smith-dead.html. 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. He was 31-1 in amateur boxing bouts and was also an accomplished arm wrestler, winning multiple championships in the 200-pound weight class. 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. The Columbia, Mo., native solidified his Hollywood status after tussling onscreen with actors like Clint Eastwood, Nick Nolte and Yul Brynner. 5 William Smith has died Credit: CBS 5 William fought Clint in Any Which Way You Can Credit: Alamy No cause of death was immediately made public. He was 88. In 2009, Smith published The Poetic Works of William Smith. Here is all you want to know, and more! Fox News Flash top entertainment and celebrity headlines are here. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Smith appeared as heavy Terry Bartell in Darker than Amber in 1970. ga('ads.send', { He was also famous as televisions last tobacco-advertising Marlboro Man. With his chiseled, mustachioed face and bulging biceps, Smith was a . 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. A cause of death was not revealed. Here is all you want to know, and more! Beginning at eight years old, he earned small, uncredited roles in the movies The Ghost of Frankenstein and A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. The actor was famously known for his stint as Falconetti in 1976s 'Rich Man, Poor Man'. window.googletag.pubads().addEventListener('slotOnload', function(event) { He speaks five languages, was an award-winning bodybuilder . 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. eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), The scene was long but choreographed well. He was 88. 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. Falconetti and William Smith. She declined to give the cause of death. hitType: 'event', In excellent shape and healthy living. Details of death: Died at the. if(document.querySelector("#google_image_div")){ Smith left Hollywood for a while when he enlisted in the Army to fight in the Korean War, during which he served as a Russian Intercept Interrogator and flew secret ferret missions over the Russian SFSR. Later, he joined the cast of "Hawaii Five-O" in its final season as Detective James "Kimo" Carew. The Sun is your go to destination for the best celebrity news, football news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. window.googletag.cmd.push(function() { McFarland, pg. ", 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.". 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. How did Joy Vogelsang die? At UCLA where he earned his Masters Degree, he was an elite discus thrower. hitType: 'event', After returning to California, Smith continued acting and starred in films like 'Run, Angel, Run! That one was so realistic that both Smith and Taylor suffered injuries during the filming of it. R.I.P William Smith & thanks for the memories. 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. Good actor ! 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'. 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. William Smith was in the Season 12 Classic HFO season 1979-1980. document.querySelector("#ads").addEventListener('click',function(){ A legend. He spent his early days in Columbia, Missouri. She declined to give the cause of death. In 1967, Smith guest starred as Jude Bonner on James Arness's long-lived western Gunsmoke. reporters on a platform technologically tailored to meet the needs of the modern reader. eventAction: 'click_adunit' He played a general in the 1984 cult classicRed Dawn, speaking fluent Russian which was only one of the six languages he spoke. William Emmett Smith (March 24, 1933 July 5, 2021) was an American actor. Returning to California, Smith continued working steadily throughout the 60s and 70s, becoming an obvious choice when casting cult hit biker films such as Run, Angel, Run!, The Losers, Angels Die Hard, C.C. Chick Vennera, Robert Downey Sr, Richard Donner and Frank Bonner are to name a few. Smith was involved in a fight scene alongside Clint Eastwood in the 1980 movie Any Which Way You Can. The Conan the Barbarian actor played the title characters father and played his scenes opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger. 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. According to Famous Net Worth, William Smith was worth $7 million when he died. According to the outlet, Smith was known for his roles on television, including "Laredo,". We've received your submission. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. He was 88. This man was one of the best actors Ive ever seen. 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. News editor, Legacy.com. pg.acq.push(function() { 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.. 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. Who do you cast to make Clint Eastwood break a sweat in a fistfight? 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". In addition to his Hollywood legacy, the Missouri native was also a bodybuilder, a champion discus thrower and a published poet. Rod is a skilled fighter and at the same time a real scrapper." eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), He was 88. 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. He won the 200-pound (91kg) arm-wrestling championship of the world multiple times and also won the United States Air Force weightlifting championship. For the latest news on this story keep checking back at Sun Online. 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. ga('create', 'UA-67136960-15', 'auto', 'ads'); William Smith. According to the outlet, Smith was known for his roles on television, including "Laredo," "Rich Man, Poor Man," and "Hawaii Five-O." #RIP #WilliamSmith. Mr. Smith's wife, Joanne. },false) 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?) ', 'The Losers', 'Angels Die Hard', 'C.C. 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. Jodie Turner-Smith made a head-turning exit from a fancy hotel on Thursday. All rights reserved. The 88 year olds cause of death is unknown; he died at the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital in Woodland Hills, California. You can reach her at Melissa.Roberto@fox.com. },false) 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.