Paul Lawrence Smith (June 24, 1936 – April 25, 2012) was an American-Israeli actor. Burly, bearded and imposing, he appeared in feature films and occasionally on television since the 1970s, generally playing "heavies" and bad guys. His most notable roles include Hamidou, the vicious prison guard in Midnight Express (1978), Bluto in Robert Altman's Popeye (1980), Gideon in the ABC miniseries Masada (1981), Glossu Rabban in David Lynch's Dune (1984) and Falkon in Red Sonja (1985).
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Paul L. Smith | |
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Born | Paul Lawrence Smith (1936-06-24)June 24, 1936 Everett, Massachusetts, U.S. |
Died | April 25, 2012(2012-04-25) (aged 75) Ra'anana, Israel |
Nationality | American, Israeli |
Other names | Paul Smith Paul Lawrence Smith Bob Spencer Adam Eden |
Alma mater | Brandeis University, Florida State University |
Occupation | Actor |
Years active | 1960–1999 |
Height | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) |
Spouses |
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Children | 1 |
Smith's first acting role was in Exodus, which was filmed in Israel. This was his first visit to the country.
Smith made a series of films with Michael Coby (pseudonym of Antonio Cantafora), a Terence Hill lookalike in Bud & Terence-fashion from 1973 to 1977.[1] One of these films Convoy Buddies was selected for American release by Film Ventures International, and producer Edward L. Montoro changed Smith's name to Bob Spencer and Cantafora's name to Terrance Hall. Smith sued,[2] successfully arguing that an actor's name recognition is vital to his career. The judicial system agreed and ruled against FVI, which paid Smith damages and court costs.[3]
Smith made 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). On television he appeared in such established series as Emergency!, CHiPS, Wonder Woman, Barney Miller and Hawaii Five-O.
On April 25, 2012, Smith died in Ra'anana at age 75.[4]
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
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1960 | Exodus | Jewish Prisoner Peretz Geffner | Uncredited |
1970 | Madron | Gabe Price | Uncredited |
1971 | Fishke Bemilu'im | Shmil | |
1972 | Nahtche V'Hageneral | ||
Jacko Vehayatzaniot | |||
1973 | Koreyim Li Shmil | Shmiel | |
Gospel Road: A Story of Jesus | Peter | ||
1974 | Moses the Lawgiver | Rebel | TV miniseries |
Carambola! | Clem Rodovam | ||
1975 | Carambola's Philosophy: In the Right Pocket | Len | |
Convoy Buddies | Butch | ||
We Are No Angels | Raphael McDonald | ||
1976 | The Diamond Peddlers | Simone / Toby | |
21 Hours at Munich | Gutfreund | TV movie | |
1978 | Return of the Tiger | Paul the Westerner | |
Midnight Express | Hamidou | ||
1979 | The In-Laws | Mo | |
The Frisco Kid | Person on Philadelphia dock | Uncredited | |
Disaster on the Coastliner | Jim Waterman | TV movie | |
Going in Style | Radio Announcer | ||
1980 | Popeye | Bluto | |
1981 | Masada | Gideon | TV miniseries |
The Salamander | The Surgeon | ||
When I Am King | Sir Blackstone Hardtack | ||
1982 | Pieces | Willard | |
1983 | Sadat | King Farouk | TV miniseries |
Raiders in Action | Saul the Priest | ||
1984 | Mivtza Shtreimel | ||
Jungle Warriors | Cesar Santiago | ||
Dune | Glossu Rabban | ||
1985 | Crimewave | Faron Crush | |
The Protector | Mr. Booar | Uncredited | |
Red Sonja | Falkon | ||
1986 | Sno-Line | Duval | |
Haunted Honeymoon | Dr. Paul Abbot | ||
1987 | Gor | Surbus | |
Terminal Entry | Stewart | ||
1988 | Outlaw Force | Inspector Wainright | |
Death Chase | Steele | ||
1989 | Ochlim Lokshim | ||
Sonny Boy | Slue | ||
Ten Little Indians | Elmo Rodgers | ||
Nipagesh Basafari | Paul | ||
The Hired Gun | Wounded Man | ||
1990 | Crossing the Line | Joe Kapinski | |
Caged Fury | Head Guard | ||
1991 | Eye of the Widow | Elko | |
1992 | Desert Kickboxer | Santos | |
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 |
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