William Smith R.I.P
07-09-21 | 02:37 PM
#1
Thread Starter
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
William Smith R.I.P
I'd been anticipating this for a while, and just watched Seven in the last couple weeks.
One of my favorite character actors that I saw near constantly growing up in the seventiess, who led a truly impressive life off screen.
Most will probably remember him as Conan's father, which was an inspired bit of casting by Milius.
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/mo...an-1234979961/
One of my favorite character actors that I saw near constantly growing up in the seventiess, who led a truly impressive life off screen.
Most will probably remember him as Conan's father, which was an inspired bit of casting by Milius.
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/mo...an-1234979961/
William Smith, the rugged actor who starred on television on Laredo, Rich Man, Poor Man and Hawaii Five-O and went toe-to-toe with Clint Eastwood and Rod Taylor in two of the more remarkable brawls in movie history, has died. He was 88.
The 6-foot-2 Smith, who was a champion discus thrower at UCLA, an arm-wrestling champion and a black belt in the martial arts, had 18-inch biceps and could do 5,100 continuous sit-ups and reverse curl 163 pounds. As prolific as he was strong, he had a whopping 289 credits on IMDb, seemingly in everything from the ’60s onward.
The 6-foot-2 Smith, who was a champion discus thrower at UCLA, an arm-wrestling champion and a black belt in the martial arts, had 18-inch biceps and could do 5,100 continuous sit-ups and reverse curl 163 pounds. As prolific as he was strong, he had a whopping 289 credits on IMDb, seemingly in everything from the ’60s onward.
07-09-21 | 02:49 PM
#2
Re: William Smith R.I.P
I thought he already passed for some reason. RIP I dug his stuff and films.
07-09-21 | 04:48 PM
#3
Re: William Smith R.I.P
-Appeared in a Universal Monster movie
-Amateur Boxer, Arm-wrestling champion, Football player (In Europe), Weightlifter and motor-cross competitor (With Steve McQueen)
-Real life Spy during the Korean war
-Fitness trainer, lifeguard, firefighter and a Malboro Man
-Appeared in the Batman TV show
-Was the original pick for Roper in Enter The Dragon
-B Movie King (Invasion of the Bee Girls, Chrome & Hot Leather, Hammer, The Losers)
My kinda life!
-Amateur Boxer, Arm-wrestling champion, Football player (In Europe), Weightlifter and motor-cross competitor (With Steve McQueen)
-Real life Spy during the Korean war
-Fitness trainer, lifeguard, firefighter and a Malboro Man
-Appeared in the Batman TV show
-Was the original pick for Roper in Enter The Dragon
-B Movie King (Invasion of the Bee Girls, Chrome & Hot Leather, Hammer, The Losers)
My kinda life!
07-09-21 | 10:03 PM
#5
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Re: William Smith R.I.P
He was the only true opponent for Philo Beddoe. 
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Pointyskull (07-13-21)
07-10-21 | 02:37 AM
#7
DVD Talk Legend
Re: William Smith R.I.P
I love that guy!
I didn't realize he was that old. Good for him. That's a pretty solid run - especially given the kind of career he had. Careers.
I didn't realize he was that old. Good for him. That's a pretty solid run - especially given the kind of career he had. Careers.
07-10-21 | 08:19 AM
#8
DVD Talk Hero
Re: William Smith R.I.P
I watched Darker than Amber just a couple of months ago on Tubi. This is the famous fight scene where Smith breaks Rod Taylor's nose, and Taylor breaks three of Smith's ribs when he shoves Smith into the glass shower stall.
Last edited by Nick Danger; 07-10-21 at 04:15 PM.
07-10-21 | 03:51 PM
#9
Re: William Smith R.I.P
If they'd only filmed it a decade or two earlier, Smith would have made a far better Conan.
07-12-21 | 10:43 AM
#10
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: William Smith R.I.P
RIP
The opening scene of Conan the Barbarian with him telling young Conan the riddle of steel worked so well because of him
The opening scene of Conan the Barbarian with him telling young Conan the riddle of steel worked so well because of him
