John Smith (actor)
| John Smith | |
|---|---|
Smith in 1957
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|
| Born |
Robert Errol Van Orden March 6, 1931 Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Died | January 25, 1995 (aged 63) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Cause of death |
Cirrhosis of the liver Heart problems |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1943-1975 |
| Television | Laramie; Cimarron City |
| Spouse(s) | Luana Patten (m. 1960–64) (divorced) |
| Children | One daughter |
John Smith (March 6, 1931 - January 25, 1995) was an American actor remembered in particular for his leading roles in two NBC western television series, Cimarron City and Laramie.
A descendant of Peter Stuyvesant, the Dutch governor of New Netherland in the 17th century, Smith was born in Los Angeles, California, to Errol and Margaret Van Orden. Robert Errol Van Orden, as he was named at birth, graduated from Susan Miller Dorsey High School in Los Angeles and enrolled at the University of California at Los Angeles. He sang with a dance band and played football and basketball and engaged in gymnastics during his school years.
In the early 1940s, Smith joined the Robert Mitchell Boys Choir and appeared in several films, including Bing Crosby's Going My Way and The Bells of St. Mary's, as an uncredited choir member.
In early October 1937, at the age of 6, he accidentally shot and killed his 9 year old sister Betty Lou while they were playing in their home at 219 S Redondo Blvd, Los Angeles, CA. He had found an old derringer in a closet amongst Halloween toys. His mother Margaret was asleep on the couch when the incident occurred.
By 1950, he was working as a messenger for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and in 1952, the studio cast him as James Stewart's brother in Carbine Williams, although the part was uncredited. He was renamed by his agent Henry Willson in contrast to the more exciting names of Willson's other clients as he was "the only John Smith in the business".
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