One of those great men you thought would live forever. Smith joined the cast of the final season of Hawaii Five-O as Detective James "Kimo" Carew, a new officer in the Five-O unit. William Smith Death: How Old Was Smith the Actor When He Died? William Smith, Action Star Known for His Onscreen Brawls, Dies at 88, https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/11/arts/television/william-smith-dead.html. His wife Joanne Cervelli Smith, who confirmed the news to THR, didn't reveal the cause . Smith is best known for his role on 'American Gladiators' but spent time as a bodybuilder at a young age. Returning to California, Smith continued working steadily throughout the 60s and 70s, becoming an obvious choice when casting cult hit biker films such as Run, Angel, Run!, The Losers, Angels Die Hard, C.C. Country music . 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. Smith also was a part of the first miniseries broadcast on American television, Rich Man, Poor Man.. Details of death: Died at . He was 88. NICHOLAS SMITH Obituary (1996 - 2017) - Dallas, TX - Star Local Media The Tragic Death Of Action Star William Smith. Michael K Williams dead latest - The Wire star's death - The Sun Nicholas William. He spent his early days in Columbia, Missouri. Subscribe for full access to The Hollywood Reporter, The legendary tough guy appeared in biker movies and blaxpoitation pics and went toe-to-toe with Clint Eastwood in 'Any Which Way You Can' and Rod Taylor in 'Darker Than Amber.'. #RIP #WilliamSmith JC, Demi Moore has not left Bruce Willis's side and is doing everything to make his 'last moments happy', 'Stop it!' William Smith, an action star from classic films like "Any Which Way You Can" and "Red Dawn," died on Monday. William Smith, the actor, bodybuilder, arm wrestler has died. R.I.P. eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), William Smith (actor) - Wikipedia William Smith, the rugged actor who starred on television on Laredo, Rich Man, . The Heartbreaking Death Of Action Star William Smith. Later in his career, he was the "go-to-guy" for biker films, like "The Losers" and "Chrome and Hot Leather," in the 1970s. A bodybuilder himself, The Rockford Files actor appeared in the cult classic Conan the Barbarian. Smith was a fascinating person with a diverse background. He was 88. See Kim's most controversial Met Gala looks after 'offensive' Marilyn gown, Inside Teen Mom Jenelle's ex Andrew's humble New York life away from Jace, Wheel of Fortune brings back contestant 'treated unfairly' in rare gesture, American Idol judge Katy ripped over 'unsanitary' detail at her judges area, 2020 THE SUN, US, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | TERMS OF USE | PRIVACY | YOUR AD CHOICES | SITEMAP, William fought Clint in Any Which Way You Can, William 'played a lot of motorcycle gang leaders in films', William posed with the rest of the Hawaii Five-O cast for a photo. In 1972, he appeared in a Columbo episode "The Greenhouse Jungle" as Ken Nichols, a handsome swindler who may be a person of interest in Columbo's murder investigation. Bodybuilder says you can be 'big and strong' with vegan diet Cause through the years youve run a good race And while you can, spit in the Reapers eye., Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day. The roles he is most known for are Anthony Falconetti in the 1976 miniseries Rich Man, Poor Man,and he appeared in the original Hawaii Five-O television series from 1979-1980 as Detective James Kimo Carew. The scene was long but choreographed well. Robin Williams' Autopsy & Cause of Death: Read the Full Report Smith was known for his roles in western and biker-themed films and TV shows. Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TheSunUS and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunUS. Action junkies and film enthusiasts shared their love for William on the web. To me, it was like the hand-to-hand combat version of the Battle of Bloody Porch. let gads_event; Although often typecast as an anti-social personality, he sporadically got other kinds of roles as a law enforcement officer or an anti-heroic protagonist. After returning to California, Smith continued acting and starred in films like 'Run, Angel, Run! William 'Billy' Smith, known as Thunder, has passed away at the age of 56. document.querySelector("#google_image_div").addEventListener('click',function(){ While under contract with MGM, Willaim accepted roles in western and biker-themed flicks and TV shows, such as Gunsmoke and The Virginian. 'I didn't want to be the cause of my own death. The Tragic Life and Sad Death of William Smith - YouTube eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), hitType: 'event', Smith appeared as heavy Terry Bartell in Darker than Amber in 1970. Action star William Smith, known for his roles in "Rich Man, Poor Man" and "Laredo," died Monday, according to the New York Post. Born in Columbia, Missouri, Smith began his acting career at the age of eight in 1942; he entered films as a child . "The medical examiner is currently investigating his cause of death." Michael's rep also confirmed the death and said in a statement: "It is with deep sorrow that the family announces the passing of Emmy nominated actor Michael Kenneth Williams. William Smith's Net Worth At The Time Of His Death May Surprise You. Tales from the Cult Film Trenches: Interviews with 36 Actors from Horror, Science Fiction and Exploitation Cinema. }); if(document.querySelector("#google_image_div")){ and Company', 'Chrome and Hot Leather,' 'Gentle Savage' and 'Eye of the Tiger'. For the latest news on this story keep checking back at Sun Online. William Smith, the action star who tussled with Clint Eastwood in Any Which Way You Can, made a lasting impression as the evil Falconetti on TV miniseries Rich Man, Poor Man and was a regular on . the cause of death is unknown at this time. }); ga('ads.send', { An experience, though, that would forever shape Smith's legacy would be when he stepped into the role of a merciless bodybuilder in 1970's "Darker Than Amber," where he went head to head in the ring with Rod Taylor. John McFarlane Smith (1846-1848) - Find a Grave Memorial window.adsContainer = {"position2":{"code":"Article_Mobile_Above_Next_Rel","max_width":300,"max_height":250},"position3":{"code":"Article_Mobile_300x250_ATF_Rel","max_width":300,"max_height":250},"position4":{"code":"Article_Mobile_Middle_Rel","max_width":300,"max_height":250},"position5":{"code":"Article_Mobile_Middle1_Rel","max_width":300,"max_height":250},"position6":{"code":"Article_Mobile_Middle2_Rel","max_width":300,"max_height":250},"position7":{"code":"Article_Mobile_Middle3_Rel","max_width":300,"max_height":250},"position8":{"code":"Article_Mobile_Middle4_Rel","max_width":300,"max_height":250},"position9":{"code":"Article_Mobile_Middle5_Rel","max_width":320,"max_height":250},"position10":{"code":"Article_Mobile_Middle6_Rel","max_width":320,"max_height":250},"position11":{"code":"Article_Mobile_Middle7_Rel","max_width":320,"max_height":250},"position12":{"code":"Article_Mobile_Middle8_Rel","max_width":320,"max_height":250},"position13":{"code":"Article_Mobile_Middle9_Rel","max_width":320,"max_height":250},"position14":{"code":"Article_Mobile_Middle10_Rel","max_width":320,"max_height":250},"position15":{"code":"Article_Mobile_Middle11_Rel","max_width":320,"max_height":250},"position16":{"code":"Article_Mobile_Middle12_Rel","max_width":320,"max_height":250}} Not only was Smith an action star, but he was known as atough guy and appeared in two of the biggest brawls in movie history. That was a real fight with real blood and real broken bones. if(document.querySelector("#adunit")){ In the 1976 television miniseries Rich Man, Poor Man, he portrayed Anthony Falconetti, nemesis of the Jordache family, and reprised the role in the sequel, Rich Man, Poor Man Book II. USE OF THIS SITE CONSTITUTES ACCEPTANCE OF OUR TERMS OF USE AND PRIVACY POLICY. MovieWeb even states that Smith appeared in almost every TV series of the 1970s and 1980s, like"The Dukes of Hazzard" and "The A Team.". So insanely violent for its time. media-tech companies with hubs around the world. He also played Conan the Barbarians (played by Arnold Schwarzenegger) father in the 1982 film Conan. Actor, 65, was on way to meet wife Kathryn Kranhold. We wont send you spam. Inquest into death of former Cotswolds school headmaster He did many of his own stunts. Action star William Smith died on July 5, his wife confirmed. Burial Cremated. MEAWW is an initialism for Media Entertainment Arts WorldWide. pic.twitter.com/tMc8fKJBa5, Phoef Sutton (@phoefsutton) July 10, 2021. ga('create', 'UA-67136960-15', 'auto', 'ads'); Smith enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1951, won a boxing championship and served in the Korean War. The Hollywood star William Smith who starred in TV shows including Hawaii Five-O and Rich Man, Poor Man and films including Any Which Way You Can and Conan The Barbarian has died aged 88 . CBS. Besides all of these skills and interests, Smith was a poet. eventCategory: event.slot.getSlotElementId(), May his soul Rest In Peace. (They smeared Karo syrup and peanut butter on his face to keep the critters in the shot.).