William Smith | WatchedThis
William Smith
Acting
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 Movies
Acting
The Outsiders
In 1960s Tulsa, class divisions ignite a violent rivalry between the working-class Greasers and the privileged Socs. When a deadly encounter forces two Greasers, Ponyboy and Johnny, to flee, their struggle for survival and redemption exposes the fragile innocence and enduring bonds of youth on the wrong side of town.
Rumble Fish
Absent-minded street thug Rusty James struggles to live up to his legendary older brother's reputation, and longs for the days of gang warfare.
The Ghost of Frankenstein
Frankenstein's unscrupulous colleague, Dr. Bohmer, plans to transplant Ygor's brain so he can rule the world using the monster's body, but the plan goes sour when he turns malevolent and goes on a rampage.
Neon Signs
After his mother ditches him in a dingy roadside motel, naive teen Otis sets out to make his way to Las Vegas, hitching a ride with a pair of charismatic, middle-aged schemers. Once in Sin City, Otis finds himself drawn into an elaborate poker heist plotted by his shady new "friends" and a grizzled con artist. But Otis soon learns that his acquaintances are not to be trusted.
Red Dawn
It is the dawn of World War III. In mid-western America, a group of teenagers band together to defend their town—and their country—from invading Soviet forces.
L.A. Vice
Detective Jon Louroy Chance investigates a string of murders in Los Angeles and uncovers a ruthless kidnapping scheme.
Eagle's Law
In a small town, the funeral of the "Eagles" motocykle gang leader Christopher Eagle, murdered with his wife, takes place. A young journalist reporting on a funeral witnesses another murder. More victims are falling. The police would gladly accuse Billy, brother of the murdered leader, of these murders. Billy decides to deal with the killers alone. Despite unwanted support by Mel, the final game ends tragically...
Hell Comes to Frogtown
'Hell' is the name of the hero of the story. He's a prisoner of the women who now run the USA after a nuclear/biological war. Results of the war are that mutants have evolved, and the human race is in danger of extinction due to infertility. Hell is given the task of helping in the rescue of a group of fertile women from the harem of the mutant leader (resembling a frog). Hell cannot escape since he has a bomb attached to his private parts which will detonate if he strays more than a few hundred yards from his guard.
The Ultimate Warrior
Only a few people still live in New York in 2012. They are organized in gangs with their own turf. One of them is led by Baron, another one by Carrot, and they are constantly at war with each other.
Boss Nigger
Two black bounty hunters ride into a small town out West in pursuit of an outlaw. They discover that the town has no sheriff, and soon take over that position, much against the will of the mostly white townsfolk.
Production
Hollywood Man
A film crew struggles to finish a motorcycle-stunt epic despite repeated threats of sabotage from the mob.
Hollywood Man
A film crew struggles to finish a motorcycle-stunt epic despite repeated threats of sabotage from the mob.
The Kill Machine
Boss Nigger
Two black bounty hunters ride into a small town out West in pursuit of an outlaw. They discover that the town has no sheriff, and soon take over that position, much against the will of the mostly white townsfolk.
Prologue to Wounded Knee
An Indian is accused of the rape and murder of a white girl. The girl's stepfather incites the townspeople to punish the Indian - to cover up the fact that it was actually he who committed the crime.
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