William Smith
Biography
William Smith was an American actor and stunt performer whose screen career ran close to 80 years, most often in imposing or villainous parts. He grew up on a cattle ranch in Columbia, Missouri, and began working as a child actor in the early 1940s. He took a graduate degree in Russian at the University of California, Los Angeles and competed in discus throwing there, until an MGM contract turned him toward acting. Television gave him steady employment, notably as Texas Ranger Joe Riley in Laredo and as the menacing Anthony Falconetti in Rich Man, Poor Man and its sequel. His films included Conan the Barbarian (1982), Rumble Fish (1983) and Red Dawn (1984), and he went on appearing in B-features and direct-to-video productions. In 2002 he voiced the alien gladiator Draaga in a Justice League episode, and he later made a cameo in Irresistible (2020).
88years old at death
- Born Columbia
- Died Los Angeles
- Star sign: AriesThe sign runs March 21 to April 19
- Also credited as William Emmett Smith
Movie Career
- Films
- 33
- Career span
- 35 years1961 to 1996
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Own stunts
As an amateur boxer, Smith compiled a 31-1 record. He also captured the 200-pound arm-wrestling world championship several times and the United States Air Force weightlifting title.
A change of course
Smith was working toward a doctorate when MGM offered him a contract, and that offer changed the direction of his career.
Own stunts
Smith studied Kung Fu San Soo. He also received a black belt in American Kenpo Karate, which came from Ed Parker.
A first
In 2010, Smith was inducted into the Muscle Beach Venice Hall of Fame, an honor recognizing his place in the history of the famous beach fitness scene.
William Smith movies on Netflix
Best known for
The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.
Most often with
John Milius directed two of these films, Francis Ford Coppola two and William Lustig two. Two actors appear in three of them each. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.
Films together
Gary Busey's page
R.G. Armstrong's page
C. Thomas Howell's page
Max von Sydow's page
Matt Dillon's page
Diane Lane's page
All films by John Milius
All films by Francis Ford Coppola
All films by William Lustig
Also two films together13 more actors
- Patrick SwayzeRed Dawn (1984) and The Outsiders (1983)
- Lane SmithRed Dawn (1984) and The Last American Hero (1973)
- Don StroudThe Roller Blade Seven (1991) and Hollywood Man (1976)
- Tom WaitsRumble Fish (1983) and The Outsiders (1983)
- Robert QuarryThe Phantom Empire (1988) and Moon in Scorpio (1987)
- Morgan PaullUncle Sam (1996) and Twilight's Last Gleaming (1977)
- Ross HagenAction U.S.A. (1989) and The Phantom Empire (1988)
- Sofia CoppolaRumble Fish (1983) and The Outsiders (1983)
- Darren DaltonRed Dawn (1984) and The Outsiders (1983)
- Glenn WithrowRumble Fish (1983) and The Outsiders (1983)
- Jimmy WilliamsGetEven (1993) and Cybernator (1991)
- Sandahl BergmanHell Comes to Frogtown (1988) and Conan the Barbarian (1982)
- Jennifer BillingsleyHollywood Man (1976) and C.C. & Company (1970)
When several people share the same number of films, the ones with the most films on Netflix are in the chart.
Box office
What William Smith's films earned in cinemas worldwide.
Combined worldwide box office
$244 million
12 of the 33 films have a worldwide figure.
Of the 33 films: 12 worldwide figure; 2 us gross only; 4 never in cinemas; 15 figure not found.
- 12Worldwide figure
- 2US gross only
- 4Never in cinemas
- 15Figure not found
Highest grossing
The eight biggest films earned 99% of the total. The bars are drawn to scale.
- 1$71M28.9% of the total
- 2$69M28.2% of the total
- 3$38M15.7% of the total
- 4$34M13.8% of the total
- 5$13M5.4% of the total
- 6$9.3M3.8% of the total
- 7$4.5M1.8% of the total
- 8$2.5M1.0% of the total
$3.2 millionfrom the other 4 films with a worldwide figure, 1% of the total
Online
Official profiles and reference pages.