Personal Info
Birth date
1933-03-24 (92 Years)
Day of death
2021-07-05
Gender
Male
Known for
Acting
Place of birth
Columbia, Missouri, USA
Also known as
William E. Smith
Bill Smith
Big Bill Smith
William Smith II
William Emmett Smith Jr.
William Emmett Smith
William Smith
Biography
William Smith was an American film and television actor who appeared in more than 300 feature films and television productions, best known for playing Anthony Falconetti on the TV mini series "Rich Man, Poor Man". He held a BA from Syracuse and an MA in Russian Studies from UCLA. Born in Columbia, Missouri, Smith began his acting career at the age of eight in 1942; he entered films as a child actor in such films as The Ghost of Frankenstein, The Song of Bernadette and Meet Me in St. Louis. He was a regular on the 1961 ABC television series The Asphalt Jungle, portraying police Sergeant Danny Keller. One of his earliest leading roles was as Joe Riley, a Texas Ranger on the NBC western series Laredo. In 1967, Smith guest starred as Jude Bonner on James Arness's long-lived western Gunsmoke. Smith was cast as John Richard Parker, brother of Cynthia Ann Parker, both taken hostage in Texas by the Comanche, in the 1969 episode "The Understanding" of the syndicated television series Death Valley Days, which was hosted by Robert Taylor. In the story line, Parker contracts the plague, is left for dead by his fellow Comanche warriors, and is rescued by his future Mexican wife, Yolanda (Emily Banks). He played outlaw turned temporary sheriff Hendry Brown in the 1969 episode "The Restless Man". In that story line, Brown takes the job of sheriff to tame a lawless town, begins to court a young woman (again played by Emily Banks), but soon returns to his deadly outlaw ways in search of bigger thrills. On Gunsmoke, Smith appeared in a 1972 episode, "Hostage!"; his character beats and rapes Amanda Blake's character Miss Kitty Russell and shoots her twice in the back. Smith has been described as the "greatest bad-guy character actor of our time".
Filmography
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
7.4
Overview:
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson is a talk show hosted by Johnny Carson under The Tonight Show franchise from 1962 to 1992. It originally aired during late-night. For its first ten years, Carson's Tonight Show was based in New York City with occasional trips to Burbank, California; in May 1972, the show moved permanently to Burbank, California. In 2002, The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson was ranked #12 on TV Guide's 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time.Lassie
6.1
Overview:
Lassie is the pet of Jeff Miller, an 11-year-old farm boy. The two become best friends and enjoy family adventures in the American countryside, teaching each other about love, nature and commitment.Murder, She Wrote
7.5
Overview:
An unassuming mystery writer turned sleuth uses her professional insight to help solve real-life homicide cases.Wagon Train
6.3
Overview:
The series initially starred veteran movie supporting actor Ward Bond as the wagon master, later replaced upon his death by John McIntire, and Robert Horton as the scout, subsequently replaced by lookalike Robert Fuller a year after Horton had decided to leave the series. The series was inspired by the 1950 film Wagon Master directed by John Ford and starring Ben Johnson, Harry Carey Jr. and Ward Bond, and harkens back to the early widescreen wagon train epic The Big Trail starring John Wayne and featuring Bond in his first major screen appearance playing a supporting role. Horton's buckskin outfit as the scout in the first season of the television series resembles Wayne's, who also played the wagon train's scout in the earlier film.I Dream of Jeannie
7.831
Overview:
While on a mission, American astronaut Captain Tony Nelson is forced to make an emergency landing that will forever change his life. On a deserted South Pacific island, Captain Nelson happens upon a bottle containing a beautiful two-thousand-year-old female genie named Jeannie. Rescuing her from the bottle nets Tony the requisite three wishes, and then some, when Jeannie pledges total devotion to her new "master".The Six Million Dollar Man
7.2
Overview:
Follow the adventures of Steve Austin, cybernetically enhanced astronaut turned secret agent, employed by the OSI, under the command of Oscar Goldman and supervised by the scientist who created his cybernetics, Rudy Wells. Steve uses the superior strength and speed provided by his bionic arm and legs, and the enhanced vision provided by his artificial eye, to fight enemy agents, aliens, mad scientists, and a wide variety of other villains.Columbo
8.088
Overview:
Columbo is a friendly, verbose, disheveled-looking police detective who is consistently underestimated by his suspects. Despite his unprepossessing appearance and apparent absentmindedness, he shrewdly solves all of his cases and secures all evidence needed for indictment. His formidable eye for detail and meticulously dedicated approach often become clear to the killer only late in the storyline.Perry Mason
7.7
Overview:
The cases of master criminal defense attorney Perry Mason and his staff who handled the most difficult of cases in the aid of the innocent.Hawaii Five-O
7.1
Overview:
Hawaii Five-O is an American police procedural drama series produced by CBS Productions and Leonard Freeman. Set in Hawaii, the show originally aired for 12 seasons from 1968 to 1980, and continues in reruns. Jack Lord portrayed Detective Lieutenant Steve McGarrett, the head of a special state police task force which was based on an actual unit that existed under martial law in the 1940s. The theme music composed by Morton Stevens became especially popular. Many episodes would end with McGarrett instructing his subordinate to "Book 'em, Danno!", sometimes specifying a charge such as "murder one".The Alfred Hitchcock Hour
7.8
Overview:
A continuation of the anthology series “Alfred Hitchcock Presents”, hosted by the master of suspense and featuring thrillers and mysteries.Trapper John, M.D.
6.452
Overview:
Trapper John, M.D. is an American television medical drama and spin-off of the film MASH, concerning a lovable doctor who became a mentor and father figure in San Francisco, California. The show ran on CBS from September 23, 1979, to September 4, 1986.The Fall Guy
7.524
Overview:
Hollywood stuntman Colt Seavers picks up some extra pocket money by using his rough-and-tumble skills to track and capture bail jumpers.Combat!
7.6
Overview:
Combat! is an American television program that originally aired on ABC from 1962 until 1967. The show covered the grim lives of a squad of American soldiers fighting the Germans in France during World War II. The program starred Rick Jason as platoon leader Second Lieutenant Gil Hanley and Vic Morrow as Sergeant "Chip" Saunders.The Twilight Zone
7.762
Overview:
This 1980s revival of the classic sci-fi series features a similar style to the original anthology series. Each episode tells a tale (sometimes two or three) rooted in horror or suspense, often with a surprising twist at the end. Episodes usually feature elements of drama and comedy.The A-Team
7.5
Overview:
A fictional group of ex-United States Army Special Forces personnel work as soldiers of fortune while on the run from the Army after being branded as war criminals for a "crime they didn't commit."Walker, Texas Ranger
7
Overview:
Modern-day Texas Ranger, Cordell Walker's independent crime-solving methods have their roots in the rugged traditions of the Old West. Walker's closest friend is former Ranger, C.D. Parker, who retired after a knee injury, and now owns "C.D.'s," a Country/Western saloon/restaurant. Rookie Ranger, James "Jimmy" Trivette is an ex-football player who bases his crime-solving methods on reason and uses computers and cellular phones. Alex Cahill is the Assistant DA who shares a mutual attraction with Walker, but often disagrees with his unorthodox approach to law enforcement.Ironside
6.8
Overview:
When an assassin's bullet confines him to a wheelchair for life ending his career as Chief of Detectives, Robert T. Ironside becomes a consultant to the police department. Detective Sergeant Ed Brown and policewoman Eve Whitfield join with him to crack varied and fascinating cases. Ex-con Mark Sanger is employed by the chief as home help but eventually becomes a fully fledged member of the team also. Officer Whitfield leaves after 4 years service, and is replaced by Officer Fran Belding.Knight Rider
7.5
Overview:
Michael Long, an undercover police officer, is shot while investigating a case and left for dead by his assailants. He is rescued by Wilton Knight, a wealthy, dying millionaire and inventor who arranges life-saving surgery, including a new face and a new identity--that of Michael Knight. Michael is then given a special computerized and indestructible car called the Knight Industries Two Thousand (nicknamed KITT), and a mission: apprehend criminals who are beyond the reach of the law. The series depicts Michael's exploits as he and KITT battle the forces of evil on behalf of the Foundation for Law and Government.Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction
7.2
Overview:
Can you tell the difference between fact and fiction? Several stories of strange, mysterious and incredible occurrences are chronicled during each episode. It is up to the viewer to decide which stories actually happened and which were completely fabricated by the show’s writers. The answer is revealed by Jonathan Frakes at the conclusion of each episode.Simon & Simon
6.7
Overview:
A.J. Simon is a polished fellow with a taste for classic cars and tailored suits. Rick Simon is his less refined (but still pleasant) older brother who has a taste for cowboy boots and four-wheel drive pickups. The two of them live in San Diego, where they own a private detective agency.Death Valley Days
6.4
Overview:
Death Valley Days is an American radio and television anthology series featuring true stories of the old American West, particularly the Death Valley area. Created in 1930 by Ruth Woodman, the program was broadcast on radio until 1945 and continued from 1952 to 1970 as a syndicated television series, with reruns continuing through August 1, 1975. The series was sponsored by the Pacific Coast Borax Company and hosted by Stanley Andrews, Ronald Reagan, Robert Taylor, and Dale Robertson. With the passing of Dale Robertson in 2013, all the former Death Valley Days hosts are now deceased.Daniel Boone
6.9
Overview:
Daniel Boone is an American action-adventure television series starring Fess Parker as Daniel Boone that aired from September 24, 1964 to September 10, 1970 on NBC for 165 episodes, and was made by 20th Century Fox Television. Ed Ames co-starred as Mingo, Boone's Cherokee friend, for the first four seasons of the series. Albert Salmi portrayed Boone's companion Yadkin in season one only. Dallas McKennon portrayed innkeeper Cincinnatus. Country Western singer-actor Jimmy Dean was a featured actor as Josh Clements during the 1968–1970 seasons. Actor and former NFL football player Rosey Grier made regular appearances as Gabe Cooper in the 1969 to 1970 season. The show was broadcast "in living color" beginning in fall 1965, the second season, and was shot entirely in California and Kanab, Utah.Police Woman
6.2
Overview:
Sergeant “Pepper"” Anderson, an undercover cop for the Criminal Conspiracy Unit of the Los Angeles Police Department, poses undercover from mob girl to prostitute.Airwolf
7.6
Overview:
As part of a deal with an intelligence agency to look for his missing brother, a renegade pilot goes on missions with an advanced battle helicopter.Mission: Impossible
7.6
Overview:
Mission: Impossible is an American television series that was created and initially produced by Bruce Geller. It chronicles the missions of a team of secret government agents known as the Impossible Missions Force. In the first season, the team is led by Dan Briggs, played by Steven Hill; Jim Phelps, played by Peter Graves, takes charge for the remaining seasons. A hallmark of the series shows Briggs or Phelps receiving his instructions on a recording that then self-destructs, followed by the theme music composed by Lalo Schifrin. The series aired on the CBS network from September 1966 to March 1973, then returned to television for two seasons on ABC, from 1988 to 1990, retaining only Graves in the cast. It later inspired a popular series of theatrical motion pictures starring Tom Cruise, beginning in 1996.Highway to Heaven
7.385
Overview:
A probationary angel is sent back to Earth to team up with an ex-cop and help people.Scarecrow and Mrs. King
6.3
Overview:
Scarecrow and Mrs. King is an American television series that aired from October 3, 1983, to May 28, 1987 on CBS. The show stars Kate Jackson and Bruce Boxleitner as divorced housewife Amanda King and top-level "Agency" operative Lee Stetson who begin a strange association, and eventual romance, after encountering one another in a train station.T. J. Hooker
6.4
Overview:
Sergeant Thomas Jefferson Hooker is a tough-as-nails veteran police officer with the LCPD who turns his back on a gold badge and goes back to patrolling the streets and training recruits. Along with his young partners in blue, Hooker take on Lake City's toughest criminals.Acting
2020Irresistible as Hofbrau Bar Fly
2018Doses of Horror as Neil Agar ("A Dose of Bee Stings" segment) (archive footage) (uncredited)
2014Rock n' Roll Cops Lite as Rinaldi (archive footage)
2008The Boneyard Collection as Bill, the First Director (segment "Her Morbid Desires")
2007Rapturious as Sheriff
2007Fall Guy: The John Stewart Story as Man with Machine Gun
2006Voices from the Graves as Lester Jiggs
2006Inner Rage as Sam
2005Vice as Spooky Harlow
2005Hell to Pay as Emil Brax
2004Killer Story as Monty
2004Y.M.I. as Cal
2003The Rock 'n Roll Cops as Rinaldi
2003A Mission to Kill as Unknown
2003Zombiegeddon as Lord Zombie
2003God Has a Rap Sheet as Lucifer
2002Deadly Memories as Sheriff Taggart
2001Justice League (2 Episodes) as Draaga (voice)
2001The Erotic Rites of Countess Dracula as Count Dracula
2001The Vampire Hunters Club as Johnny
2000Conan Unchained: The Making of 'Conan' as Conan's Father (archive footage)
2000Never Look Back as Lee Clayton
1999Debbie Does Damnation as Unknown
1999Wasteland Justice as Moon
1998Blood of His Own as Unknown
1998Broken Vessels as Bo
1998Heat of Las Vegas as Mario Verelli
1997The Shooter as Jerry Krants
1997Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction (1 Episode) as Wes Tronker (segment "Devil's Tattoo")
1997Hollywood Cops as Rinaldi
1997Doublecross on Costa's Island as L. E.
1996Uncle Sam as Major
1996The Colony as Theo Maxwell
1996Neon Signs as Clyde
1996Raw Energy as Sam Stompkins
1995Big Sister 2000 as The Man
1994Manosaurus as Sheriff Todd
1994Due South (1 Episode) as Harold Geiger
1994Maverick as Riverboat Poker Player
1994Taken Alive as L.E.
1993GetEven as Normad
1993Legend of The Roller Blade Seven as Pharoah
1993Walker, Texas Ranger (1 Episode) as Silas Quint
1993Return of the Roller Blade Seven as Pharoah
1992Vinnie & Bobby (1 Episode) as Warren Bean
1992American Me as Deacon
1992The Last Riders as Hammer
1992Feast as Det. George Bordelli
1992Shadow of the Dragon as Eric Brunner
1992Dark Secrets as Robert
1991The Roller Blade Seven as Pharoah
1991Cybernator as Colonel Peck
1991Spirit of the Eagle as Hatchett
1991Kiss and Be Killed as Det. Murdoch
1991Merchant of Evil as Victor Fortunetti
1990The Final Sanction as Maj. Galashkin
1990Shades of L.A. (1 Episode) as Unknown
1990Empire of Ash III as Lucas
1990Cartel as Mason
1990Emperor of the Bronx as Fitz
1990Instant Karma as Pop
1990Forgotten Heroes as General Gregori Zelenkov
1989Slow Burn as Antonio Scarpelli
1989B.O.R.N. as Dr. Farley
1989Jungle Assault as General Mitchell
1989East L.A. Warriors as Martelli
1989L.A. Vice as Capt. Joe Wilkes
1989Terror In Beverly Hills as President
1989Deadly Breed as Captain
1989Action U.S.A. as Conover
1988Memorial Valley Massacre as Gen. Mintz
1988Evil Altar as Reed Weller
1988Platoon Leader as Major Flynn
1988Maniac Cop as Captain Ripley
1988Red Nights as Phillip
1988Bulletproof as Russian Major
1988Supercarrier (1 Episode) as Unknown
1988Hell Comes to Frogtown as Captain Devlin / Count Sodom
1988Eagle's Law as Unknown
1987Moon in Scorpio as Burt
1987The Phantom Empire as Dr. Chambers
1987Commando Squad as Morgan Denny
1987Hell on the Battleground as Colonel Meredith
1987The Badd One as Badd
1986Eye of the Tiger as Blade
1985Fever Pitch as Panama Hat
1985The Twilight Zone (1 Episode) as (segment "Shadow Play")
1985Wildside (6 Episodes) as Unknown
1985The Mean Season as Albert O'Shaughnessy
1984Murder, She Wrote (1 Episode) as Clyde Thorson
1984Highway to Heaven (1 Episode) as Unknown
1984Hunter (1, 1 Episode) as Sgt. Neville Sigerson, Sgt. Sal Drasso
1984Red Dawn as Strelnikov
1984Airwolf (1, 1 Episode) as Steele, Patterson
1984The Jerk, Too as Suicide
1983Masquerade (1 Episode) as Unknown
1983Rumble Fish as Patterson the Cop
1983Scarecrow and Mrs. King (1 Episode) as Unknown
1983The Yellow Rose (1 Episode) as Unknown
1983Hardcastle and McCormick (1 Episode) as Unknown
1983The Outsiders as Store Clerk
1983The A-Team (1, 1 Episode) as Jase Tataro, Dimitri Shasta Kovich
1982Knight Rider (1 Episode) as Harold T. Turner
1982Matt Houston (1 Episode) as Unknown
1982Conan the Barbarian as Conan's Father
1982T. J. Hooker (1 Episode) as R.K. 'Blood' Henderson
1982Tales of the Apple Dumpling Gang as Monk Hardwick
1981Simon & Simon (1, 1 Episode) as Unknown, Cady
1981The Fall Guy (2 Episodes) as Unknown
1981Code Red (2 Episodes) as Unknown
1980Any Which Way You Can as Jack Wilson
1980The Forgotten City of the Planet of the Apes as Tolar
1979Trapper John, M.D. (1 Episode) as Tugwell
1979Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (1 Episode) as The Trebor
1979Benson (1 Episode) as Unknown
1979Seven as Drew
1979The Frisco Kid as Matt Diggs
1979The Rebels as John Waverly
1979Fast Company as Lonnie 'Lucky Man' Johnson
1979B. J. and the Bear (2 Episodes) as Unknown
1978Blackjack as Andy Mayfield (as Bill Smith)
1978Vega$ (1 Episode) as Unknown
1978Blood & Guts as Dan O'Neil
1978Fantasy Island (1 Episode) as Wyatt Earp
1977The Oregon Trail (1 Episode) as Unknown
1977Logan's Run (1 Episode) as Unknown
1977CHiPs (3 Episodes) as Stan
1977Twilight's Last Gleaming as Hoxey
1976Scorchy as Carl Henrich
1976Hollywood Man as Rafe Stoker
1976Rich Man, Poor Man - Book II (22 Episodes) as Falconetti
1976Crackle of Death as Shaman Jim Elkhorn
1976City of Angels (1 Episode) as Unknown
1976Rich Man, Poor Man (12 Episodes) as Falconetti
1975Dr. Minx as Gus Dolan
1975The Ultimate Warrior as Carrot
1975Boss Nigger as Jed Clayton
1975The Swinging Barmaids as Harry
1975Bronk (1 Episode) as Unknown
1975Win, Place or Steal as Tom
1974The Sex Symbol as Butch Wischnewski
1974Planet of the Apes (1 Episode) as Unknown
1974Kolchak: The Night Stalker (1 Episode) as Jim Elkhorn
1974Police Woman (1 Episode) as Unknown
1974Movin' On (1 Episode) as Unknown
1974Black Samson as Johnny Nappa
1974The Rockford Files as Jerry Grimes
1974Policewomen as Karate Instructor
1974The Six Million Dollar Man (1 Episode) as Cmdr. Maxwell
1973The Deadly Trackers as Schoolboy
1973The Last American Hero as Kyle Kingman
1973Invasion of the Bee Girls as Neil Agar
1973Sweet Jesus, Preacherman as Martelli
1973Prologue to Wounded Knee as Camper John Allen
1973Police Story (1 Episode) as Unknown
1972Piranha as Caribe
1972Kung Fu (1 Episode) as Capt. Luther Staggers
1972The Streets of San Francisco (1 Episode) as Mickey Sims
1972Search (1 Episode) as Unknown
1972Grave of the Vampire as James Eastman
1972The Thing with Two Heads as Hysterical Condemned Man
1972Hammer as Brenner
1972The Man Hunter as Clel Bocock
1971Chrome and Hot Leather as T.J.
1971Columbo (1 Episode) as Nichols
1971Runaway, Runaway as Frank
1971Alias Smith and Jones (1 Episode) as Unknown
1970Crowhaven Farm as Patrolman Hayes
1970C.C. and Company as Moon
1970Darker Than Amber as Terry
1970Angels Die Hard as Tim
1970The Losers as Link Thomas
1969The Over the Hill Gang as Amos (as Bill Smith)
1969Backtrack! as Texas Ranger Joe Riley (archive footage)
1969Run, Angel, Run! as Angel
1968Three Guns for Texas as Texas Ranger Joe Riley
1968Here Come the Brides (1 Episode) as Kitana
1968The Mod Squad (2, 1 Episode) as Unknown, Jack Harper
1968Hawaii Five-O (20 Episodes) as Det. James 'Kimo' Carew
1968Julia (1 Episode) as Unknown
1967The Guns of Will Sonnett (2, 1 Episode) as Unknown, Deputy Leroy
1967Custer (1 Episode) as Unknown
1967Ironside (1, 1 Episode) as Unknown, Larry
1966Mission: Impossible (1, 1, 1 Episode) as Vincent Sandler, John Brent, Dekker
1966Felony Squad (1 Episode) as Unknown
1966Batman (1 Episode) as Adonis
1965I Dream of Jeannie (1 Episode) as Turk
1965Laredo (57 Episodes) as Joe Riley
196436 Hours as Guy (uncredited)
1964Daniel Boone (2, 1, 1, 2 Episode) as Catoga, Campuits, Amos (uncredited), Amos Martin
1964Mail Order Bride as Lank
1963Kraft Suspense Theatre (1 Episode) as Deputy Raynor
1962Zero One (39 Episodes) as Jimmy Delaney
1962Combat! (1, 1 Episode) as Richter, German Sergeant
1962Stoney Burke (1 Episode) as Lieutenant Joe Cardiff
1962The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1 Episode) as Self
1962The Alfred Hitchcock Hour (1 Episode) as Tommy Lad
1962The Virginian (1, 1, 1, 1, 1 Episode) as Andy Adams, Bill, Paul Rogers, Joe Riley, Spector
1961Atlantis: The Lost Continent as Captain of the Guard
1961The Asphalt Jungle (14 Episodes) as Sgt. Danny Keller
1959Never So Few as MP Officer #1
1959Mr. Lucky (1 Episode) as Unknown
1959Girls Town as Man (uncredited)
1959The Mating Game as Barney
1958The Ed Wynn Show (1 Episode) as Dink
1957Perry Mason (1 Episode) as Andy Witcoe
1957Wagon Train (1 Episode) as Thomas Lance
1955Gunsmoke (1, 1 Episode) as Jude Bonner, Latch
1954The Wonderful World of Disney (1 Episode) as Monk Hardwick
1954Lassie (1 Episode) as Unknown
1952Death Valley Days (1, 1 Episode) as Marshall Hendry Brown, Dan Turner
1948The Boy with Green Hair as Boy (uncredited)
1947I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now as Young Boy (uncredited)
1946Gilda as Man (uncredited)
1945A Tree Grows in Brooklyn as Boy (uncredited)
1944Meet Me in St. Louis as Little Boy (uncredited)
1944Going My Way as Choir Member (uncredited)
1942The Ghost of Frankenstein as Boy (uncredited)
Directing
TBAThe Kill Machine ... Director
Writing
1976Hollywood Man ... Writer
Crew
1975Boss Nigger ... Stunts