Character Actor Lane Smith Dies
06-15-05, 08:13 AM
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Character Actor Lane Smith Dies
'My Cousin Vinny' Actor Lane Smith Dies
AP NewsWire
Lane Smith, a longtime character actor who played a small-town district attorney who clashed with Joe Pesci in "My Cousin Vinny," died Monday. He was 69.
Smith, who also played Richard Nixon in the TV movie "The Final Days" and Daily Planet editor Perry White in "Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman," died at his home in Los Angeles, according to his wife, Debbie Benedict Smith.
Born in Memphis, Smith appeared in numerous films and television shows. Most recently, he appeared in the 2000 movie "The Legend of Bagger Vance," starring Will Smith and Matt Damon.
Lane Smith also appeared in the original stage production of "Glengarry Glen Ross" and the revival of "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest."
Film credits include "The Distinguished Gentleman," "Son in Law," "The Mighty Ducks" and "The Hi-Lo Country."
Besides his wife, Smith is survived by his son Robbie, 18, and a brother and sister. He also has a 19-year-old stepson.
AP NewsWire
Lane Smith, a longtime character actor who played a small-town district attorney who clashed with Joe Pesci in "My Cousin Vinny," died Monday. He was 69.
Smith, who also played Richard Nixon in the TV movie "The Final Days" and Daily Planet editor Perry White in "Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman," died at his home in Los Angeles, according to his wife, Debbie Benedict Smith.
Born in Memphis, Smith appeared in numerous films and television shows. Most recently, he appeared in the 2000 movie "The Legend of Bagger Vance," starring Will Smith and Matt Damon.
Lane Smith also appeared in the original stage production of "Glengarry Glen Ross" and the revival of "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest."
Film credits include "The Distinguished Gentleman," "Son in Law," "The Mighty Ducks" and "The Hi-Lo Country."
Besides his wife, Smith is survived by his son Robbie, 18, and a brother and sister. He also has a 19-year-old stepson.
06-15-05, 10:54 AM
#7
DVD Talk Legend
Ugh, I really hate this news. I've never been totally familiar with his work, but EVERY time I ever saw him in something, I was very happy, since I do in fact love his work. I couldn't have ever told you his name just by looking at him. When I heard this news on Yahoo, I didn't know who it was, but the second I saw his picture I knew instantly, and I felt horrible. 
06-15-05, 11:27 AM
#9
DVD Talk Legend
I've been watching "Lois & Clark" on DVD all week, so this one really hits hard. Lane was a great actor - he always brought something fresh to whatever character he was playing. With respect to Jackie Cooper, I thought he did the best on-screen Perry White we've seen yet.
06-15-05, 12:29 PM
#10
DVD Talk Legend
Well, that's TWO cast members of Son-In-Law that have passed away recently. If these things happen in threes, any bets/wishes on who the next will be?
06-15-05, 12:36 PM
#11
DVD Talk Hero
Wow! That's far too young! He was a great actor and will be missed.
06-15-05, 12:45 PM
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Originally Posted by The_Infidel
Well, that's TWO cast members of Son-In-Law that have passed away recently. If these things happen in threes, any bets/wishes on who the next will be?
On a serious note, Lane Smith will be missed. I never get tired of watching his performance in My Cousin Vinny(or the late Fred Gwynne's for that matter).
06-15-05, 12:55 PM
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RIP Lane
I really enjoyed his work on Lois and Clark. He was very funny as Perry White and I really liked him on Son in Law. He was a very good actor and he will be missed. 69 is too young.
I really enjoyed his work on Lois and Clark. He was very funny as Perry White and I really liked him on Son in Law. He was a very good actor and he will be missed. 69 is too young.
06-15-05, 12:59 PM
#14
DVD Talk Legend
Originally Posted by bboisvert
... and V: The Series. That's how I always think of him.
Sad news. That's too young.
Sad news. That's too young.
RIP Lane.
06-15-05, 01:06 PM
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Originally Posted by The_Infidel
Well, that's TWO cast members of Son-In-Law that have passed away recently. If these things happen in threes, any bets/wishes on who the next will be?
RIP
Who else from Son In Law died?
06-15-05, 01:31 PM
#17
DVD Talk Legend
Originally Posted by Ravenous
That sucks. It seems for awhile I was seeing this guy in every movie I saw.
RIP
Who else from Son In Law died?
RIP
Who else from Son In Law died?
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0011199/
http://www.dvdtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=420675
06-15-05, 02:45 PM
#19
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
He had a great, distinctive voice. Looking at his imdb page I'm surprised he didn't do more voiceover work, other than King of the Hill.
