Paul L. Smith

Paul L. Smith
Born Paul Lawrence Smith
June 24, 1936
Everett, Massachusetts, U.S.
Died April 25, 2012 (aged 75)
Ra'anana, Israel
Cause of death
 Unspecified
Body discovered
 Ra'anana, Israel
Resting place
 Unspecified
Nationality American
Other names Paul Smith
Paul Lawrence Smith
Alma mater Brandeis University
Occupation Actor, singer, comedian
Years active 1963–1999
Height 6' 4" (1.93 m)
Religion Jewish
Spouse(s) Eve Smith (?–2012; his death)

Paul Lawrence Smith (June 24, 1936 – April 25, 2012), better known as Paul L. Smith, was an American stand-up comedian, actor, singer, and comedian, best known for generally portraying villains and "heavies". His most notable roles include Hamidou, the vicious prison warden in Midnight Express (1978), Bluto in Popeye (1980), Gideon in Masada (1981), and Glossu Rabban in Dune (1984). Smith was sometimes credited as Paul Smith.

On April 25, 2012, Smith died in Ra'anana, Israel. Currently, his cause of death is unconfirmed.

Early life

Smith was born Paul Lawrence Smith in Everett, Massachusetts on June 24, 1936. He attended Miami Senior High School in Miami, Florida and graduated in 1954. Afterwards, Smith attended Brandeis University for a short time and transferred to Florida State University on a football scholarship graduating in 1959 with a B.S. degree in Philosophy.

At age 12, Smith weighed 200 pounds and was 6 ft. tall.[1]

Career

Smith's first acting role was in Exodus, which was filmed in Israel. This was his first visit to the country. In 1967, Smith returned to Israel as a Mahal volunteer in the Six-Day War and stayed there until 1973. In that time, he participated in 5 productions filmed in Israel.

Afterwards, he moved to Italy where, due to his resemblance to Bud Spencer, he made a series of films with Terence Hill lookalike Michael Coby (pseudonym of Antonio Cantafora). One of these films Convoy Buddies was picked up for American release by Film Ventures International where producer by Edward L. Montoro changed Smith's name to Bob Spencer and Cantafora's name to Terrance Hall. Smith sued[2] successfully arguing that the only thing an actor has is his name and if that's taken away, he has nothing. The judicial system agreed with him and ruled against FVI who paid Smith damages and court costs.[3]

In 1977, Smith moved to Hollywood, making appearances in such films as 21 Hours at Munich (1976), Midnight Express (1978), as Bluto in Popeye (1980), and as Glossu Rabban in Dune (1984).

Personal life

Smith was of Jewish religion.

Smith married Eve Smith. In February 2006, they emigrated to Israel, adopting Ra'anana as their new home. After taking Israeli citizenship, the couple adopted Hebrew names: Adam and Aviva Eden.

Death

On April 25, 2012, Smith died in Ra'anana, Israel.[4] The cause of death is unconfirmed.

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
1973 The Gospel Road Peter
1974 Moses the Lawgiver Rebel
1978 Midnight Express Hamidou
1979 The In-Laws Mo
Disaster on the Coastliner Jim Waterman
1980 Popeye Bluto Credited as Paul Smith
1981 Masada Gideon
1983 Pieces Willard
1984 Return of the Tiger Paul
Dune Glossu Rabban
1985 Red Sonja Falkon
Crimewave Faron Crush
1986 Haunted Honeymoon Dr. Paul Abbot
1988 Gor Surbus
1989 Sonny Boy Slue
Caged Fury Head Guard
Ten Little Indians Elmo Rodgers
1994 Maverick Archduke
2008 Paul Smith: The Reddest Herring Himself Extended interview with star Paul L. Smith featured on the North American DVD release of Pieces, where he discusses the film, his life, and career

Discography

References

Notes

  1. ↑ http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0809544
  2. ↑ "648 F2d 602 Smith v. L Montoro". OpenJurist. Retrieved 2013-02-21.
  3. ↑ Bad Movie Planet Jim Bertgets Interview'FVI: What You Didn't Know
  4. ↑ Tom B. (2013-02-13). "Boot Hill: RIP Paul Smith". Westernboothill.blogspot.nl. Retrieved 2013-02-21.

External links