John Smith

John Smith

Born: March 6, 1931
Died: January 25, 1995
in Los Angeles, California, USA
Actor John Smith was born Robert Errol Van Orden in Los Angeles. He began his career singing with The Robert Mitchell Boy Choir, a group which appeared in two Bing Crosby films, Going My Way (1944) and The Bells of St. Mary's (1945).

His agent Henry Willson, who also gave Tab Hunter and Rock Hudson their names, changed Van Orden's name to "John Smith". Robert Hofler, author of "The Man Who Invented Rock Hudson", reports that an actress identified as Pocahontas Crowfoot was in the courtroom when the name change was granted.

In We're No Angels (1955), Smith had a small role as "Arnaud", the ship's doctor. Aldo Ray, observing the doctor in full dress whites, says "he looks like a glass of milk". John Smith's other film credits include Circus World (1964) and Justin Morgan Had a Horse (1972). Smith also appeared in the television westerns Cimarron City (1958) and Laramie (1959).

Movies for John Smith...

Meteor
Title: Meteor
Character: Narrator
Released: September 9, 2011
Type: Movie
Nostalgic excerpts of fiction, fairytales and vintage science fiction from a child’s room to way out into the galaxy.
bee
Title: Police Woman
Released: September 13, 1974
Type: TV
Sergeant “Pepper"” Anderson, an undercover cop for the Criminal Conspiracy Unit of the Los Angeles Police Department, poses undercover from mob girl to prostitute.
bee
Justin Morgan Had a Horse
Title: Justin Morgan Had a Horse
Character: Mr. Ames
Released: February 6, 1972
Type: Movie
This is the story of the foundation sire of the Morgan Horse Breed.
bee
Title: Emergency!
Character: Capt. Hammer
Released: January 22, 1972
Type: TV
The crew of Los Angeles County Fire Department Station 51, particularly the paramedic team, and Rampart Hospital respond to emergencies in their operating area.
bee
Title: Marcus Welby, M.D.
Character: Doc Hunter
Released: September 23, 1969
Type: TV
Marcus Welby, M.D. is an American medical drama television program that aired on ABC from September 23, 1969, to July 29, 1976. It starred Robert Young as a family practitioner with a kind bedside manner and James Brolin as the younger doctor he often worked with, and was produced by David Victor and David J. O'Connell. The pilot, A Matter of Humanities, had aired as an ABC Movie of the Week on March 26, 1969.
bee
Title: Adam-12
Character: Ron McKee
Released: September 21, 1968
Type: TV
Adam-12 is a television police drama that followed two police officers of the Los Angeles Police Department, Pete Malloy and Jim Reed, as they patrolled the streets of Los Angeles in their patrol unit, 1-Adam-12.
bee
Title: Hondo
Released: September 8, 1967
Type: TV
Hondo is a 17-episode Western television series starring Ralph Taeger that aired in the United States on ABC during the 1967 fall season. The series was produced by Batjac Productions, Inc., Fenady Associates, Inc., and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Television.
bee
Hondo and the Apaches
Title: Hondo and the Apaches
Character: Ed Dow
Released: September 8, 1967
Type: Movie
Two episodes from the TV series "Hondo" edited together and released as a feature.
bee
Waco
Title: Waco
Character: Joe Gore
Released: September 1, 1966
Type: Movie
Preacher Sam Stone and his new beautiful wife Jill stand by the grave of Sheriff Billy Kelly, who died trying to bring law-and-order to Emporia, Wyoming. Among the mourners are businessman George Gates, mayor Ned West and his daughter Patricia. The mayor rejects Gates' suggestion that he release gunfighter Waco from jail to clean up the town. When Patricia is attacked by a cowboy after leaving her boyfriend Scotty Moore, the mayor finally decides it is time accept the governor;s offer of amnesty for Waco. Jill Stone's first reaction, when learning that Waco has been released, is to leave town before Waco finds out that she, his former fiancée, has married the town preacher while Waco was in jail. Town boss Joe Gore is not overjoyed, either, but Ike and Pete Jenner eagerly await the chance to shoot Waco for the death of their brother. Written by Les Adams
bee
Circus World
Title: Circus World
Character: Steve McCabe
Released: June 25, 1964
Type: Movie
Circus owner Matt Masters is beset by disasters as he attempts a European tour of his circus. At the same time, he is caught in an emotional bind between his adopted daughter and her mother.
bee
Title: The Virginian
Character: Dee Garvey
Released: September 19, 1962
Type: TV
The Shiloh Ranch in Wyoming Territory of the 1890s is owned in sequence by Judge Henry Garth, the Grainger brothers, and Colonel Alan MacKenzie. It is the setting for a variety of stories, many more based on character and relationships than the usual western.
bee
Title: Laramie
Character: Slim Sherman
Released: September 15, 1959
Type: TV
Laramie is an American Western television series that aired on NBC from 1959 to 1963. A Revue Studios production, the program originally starred John Smith as Slim Sherman, Robert Fuller as Jess Harper, Hoagy Carmichael as Jonesy and Robert L. Crawford, Jr., as Andy Sherman.
bee
Island of Lost Women
Title: Island of Lost Women
Character: Joe Walker
Released: March 20, 1959
Type: Movie
A plane crash-lands on a jungle island inhabited by a scientist and his nubile young daughters. Complications ensue.
bee
Title: Cimarron City
Character: Deputy Sheriff Lane Temple
Released: September 27, 1958
Type: TV
Cimarron City is an American Western television series, starring George Montgomery as Matt Rockford and John Smith as Lane Temple, that aired on NBC from October 11, 1958 until April 4, 1959. The name "Cimarron City" refers to a boom town in Logan County north of Oklahoma City. Rich in oil and gold, Cimarron City aspires to become the capital of the future state of Oklahoma, created in 1907.
bee
Handle with Care
Title: Handle with Care
Character: Bill Reeves
Released: April 18, 1958
Type: Movie
A law student working on a class project discovers a real-life crime.
bee
The Crooked Circle
Title: The Crooked Circle
Character: Tommy Kelly
Released: November 11, 1957
Type: Movie
A young prizefighter finds himself being squeezed on all sides to throw a fight.
bee
The Lawless Eighties
Title: The Lawless Eighties
Character: William Wesley Van Orsdel
Released: May 31, 1957
Type: Movie
After deceitful Indian agent Grat Bandas has his men shoot Brother Van, gunfighter Linc Prescott saves the peaceful circuit rider and agrees to help him put a stop to Bandas's plans to start an Indian war and grab their land for himself. Meanwhile, Prescott takes a shine to the daughter of a local rancher.
bee
The Kettles on Old MacDonald's Farm
Title: The Kettles on Old MacDonald's Farm
Character: Brad Johnson
Released: May 10, 1957
Type: Movie
Ma and Pa do their bit to hook lumberman Brad Johnson up with spoiled socialite Sally Flemming. Ma teaches Sally how to behave like a hick so she'll be compatible with Brad.
bee
Fury at Showdown
Title: Fury at Showdown
Character: Miley Sutton
Released: April 18, 1957
Type: Movie
After serving a year for a killing in self-defense, gunfighter Brock Mitchell tries to help his younger brother save his ranch but a crooked lawyer has other ideas.
bee
Tomahawk Trail
Title: Tomahawk Trail
Character: Pvt. Reynolds
Released: February 1, 1957
Type: Movie
Led by an incompetent Lieutenant, a troop of soldiers is on the Tomahawk Trail in Apache territory. When he lets the Indians steal their horses and gets slightly wounded in a skirmish, Sergeant McCoy takes over command. McCoy sucessfully gets them to the fort only to find all the soldiers have meen murdered by the Apaches. He prepares the troops for an attack knowing if they survive the Lieutenant plans to have him court marshaled.
bee
The Women of Pitcairn Island
Title: The Women of Pitcairn Island
Character: Thursday October Christian
Released: December 1, 1956
Type: Movie
The widows and children of survivors of the H.M.S. Bounty rule Pitcairn Island, fighting off sailors and intruders.
bee
Friendly Persuasion
Title: Friendly Persuasion
Character: Caleb Cope
Released: November 25, 1956
Type: Movie
The story of a family of Quakers in Indiana in 1862. Their religious sect is strongly opposed to violence and war. It's not easy for them to meet the rules of their religion in everyday life but when Southern troops pass the area they are in real trouble. Should they fight, despite their peaceful attitude?
bee
Title: Wire Service
Character: Howie
Released: October 4, 1956
Type: TV
Wire Service is an American drama series that aired on ABC as part of its 1956-57 season lineup.
bee
Rebel in Town
Title: Rebel in Town
Character: Wesley Mason
Released: July 30, 1956
Type: Movie
Ex-Confederate Bedloe Mason and his four sons ride into a small Western town with robbery in mind. Hearing a suspicious "click," Wes Mason whirls and shoots dead a boy playing with a cap pistol. The Mason clan then flees but Gray Mason, feeling remorse, decides to return to the town. He winds up at the home of John and Nora Willoughby who, unknown to him, are parents of the dead boy. Nora recognizes him as one of the Confederates but keeps quiet, wishing to avoid more violence. However, when John learns of Gray's true identity, he determines to avenge his son's death
bee
Hot Rod Girl
Title: Hot Rod Girl
Character: Jeff Northrup
Released: July 4, 1956
Type: Movie
After his kid brother is killed in a street race, a champion drag-racer quits racing. However, a new kid comes to town determined to force him back into racing so he can take his title--and he's already taken his girlfriend.When his younger brother, Steve, is killed racing a hot-rod, Jeff Northup blames himself for the accident since he had built the car for his brother and had encouraged him to race it, with other boys on a special course provided by police detective Ben Merrill, who is working to reduce the city's hot-rod fatalities by providing supervision for the dangerous hobby. Jeff withdraws from participating in races on Merrill's course and, without his leadership, reverts to racing on the streets. "Bronc" Talbott, a newcomer, makes a play for Jeff's girlfriend, Lisa Vernon. Eventually, the taunting-Talbott forces Jeff into a race which results in the death of a bicycling child, and evidence seems to indicate Jeff was at fault.
bee
Quincannon, Frontier Scout
Title: Quincannon, Frontier Scout
Character: Lt. Phil Hostedder
Released: May 1, 1956
Type: Movie
A young woman hires a frontier scout to help her discover if her brother died in an Indian attack on a remote fort.
bee
Title: Telephone Time
Released: April 8, 1956
Type: TV
Telephone Time is an American anthology drama series that aired on CBS in 1956, and on ABC from 1957 to 1958. The series features plays by John Nesbitt who hosted the first season. Frank C. Baxter hosted the 1957 and 1958 seasons. The program was directed by Arthur Hiller.
bee
Ghost Town
Title: Ghost Town
Character: Duff Dailey
Released: March 1, 1956
Type: Movie
A stage headed West with a group of passengers is attacked by Cheyenne Indians, and takes refuge in a nearby ghost town.
bee
The Bold and the Brave
Title: The Bold and the Brave
Character: Smith
Released: January 4, 1956
Type: Movie
An assortment of American types come together in the Italian campaign of 1944.
bee
Desert Sands
Title: Desert Sands
Character: Pvt. Rex Tyle
Released: November 18, 1955
Type: Movie
The French Foreign Legion battles rebellious Arabs in North Africa.
bee
Title: Alfred Hitchcock Presents
Character: Irving Randall
Released: October 2, 1955
Type: TV
A television anthology series hosted by Alfred Hitchcock featuring dramas, thrillers, and mysteries.
bee
Title: Frontier
Released: September 25, 1955
Type: TV
Frontier is an American Western anthology series that aired on NBC from September 1955, to September 1956. The series de-emphasizes gunplay and focuses on the hazards of the settlement of the American West. It was only the second anthology Western series in television history, having been preceded by Death Valley Days. Frontier aired premiered on September 25, 1955, and ran sporadically in its last five months. Walter Coy narrated the series and starred in occasional episodes, which are dramatizations based on actual events. The program was produced by Worthington Miner.
bee
Title: Gunsmoke
Character: David
Released: September 10, 1955
Type: TV
Gunsmoke is an American radio and television Western drama series created by director Norman MacDonnell and writer John Meston. The stories take place in and around Dodge City, Kansas, during the settlement of the American West. The central character is lawman Marshal Matt Dillon, played by William Conrad on radio and James Arness on television.
bee
We're No Angels
Title: We're No Angels
Character: Medical Officer Arnaud
Released: July 7, 1955
Type: Movie
Three convicts escape from prison on Devil's Island just before Christmas and arrive at a nearby French colonial town. They go to the store of the Ducotels, the only store that gives supplies on credit. They initially intend to take advantage of them but have a change of heart after they find the family is in financial troubles.
bee
Wichita
Title: Wichita
Character: Jim Earp
Released: July 3, 1955
Type: Movie
Former buffalo hunter and entrepreneur Wyatt Earp arrives in the lawless cattle town of Wichita Kansas. His skill as a gun-fighter makes him a perfect candidate for Marshal, but he refuses the job until he feels morally obligated to bring law and order to this wild town.
bee
Seven Angry Men
Title: Seven Angry Men
Character: Frederick Brown
Released: March 27, 1955
Type: Movie
Rise, fall and execution of John Brown, fanatic abolitionist.
bee
Title: The Millionaire
Character: Charles 'Lucky' Swanson
Released: January 19, 1955
Type: TV
An anthology series that explored the ways sudden and unexpected wealth changed life for better or for worse. It told the stories of people who were given one million dollars from a benefactor who insisted they never know him, with one exception.
bee
Title: Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color
Character: Rep Aeronaut
Released: October 27, 1954
Type: TV
Walt Disney Productions has produced an anthology television series under several different titles since 1954. The original version of the series premiered on ABC, Wednesday night, October 27, 1954. The same basic show has since appeared on several networks, with its latest revival debuting in 2012 on Disney Junior. The show is the second longest showing prime-time program on American television, behind its rival, Hallmark Hall of Fame. However, Hallmark Hall of Fame was a weekly program only during its first five seasons, while Disney remained a weekly program for more than forty years.
bee
Title: Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color
Character: Mr. Ames
Released: October 27, 1954
Type: TV
Walt Disney Productions has produced an anthology television series under several different titles since 1954. The original version of the series premiered on ABC, Wednesday night, October 27, 1954. The same basic show has since appeared on several networks, with its latest revival debuting in 2012 on Disney Junior. The show is the second longest showing prime-time program on American television, behind its rival, Hallmark Hall of Fame. However, Hallmark Hall of Fame was a weekly program only during its first five seasons, while Disney remained a weekly program for more than forty years.
bee
A Star Is Born World Premiere
Title: A Star Is Born World Premiere
Character: Self
Released: September 28, 1954
Type: Movie
Live television broadcast of the world premiere. Described by various participants as the biggest world premiere in memory, even bigger than the Academy Awards.
bee
The High and the Mighty
Title: The High and the Mighty
Character: Milo Buck
Released: July 3, 1954
Type: Movie
Dan Roman is a veteran pilot haunted by a tragic past. Now relegated to second-in-command cockpit assignments he finds himself on a routine Honolulu-to-San Francisco flight - one that takes a terrifying suspense-building turn when disaster strikes high above the Pacific Ocean at the point of no return.
bee
Title: Letter to Loretta
Character: Art
Released: September 20, 1953
Type: TV
Letter to Loretta is an American anthology drama series telecast on NBC from September 1953 to June 1961 for a total of 165 episodes. The filmed show was hosted by Loretta Young who also played the lead in various episodes. Letter to Loretta was sponsored by Procter & Gamble from 1953 through 1960. The final season's sponsor was Warner-Lambert's Listerine.
bee
Title: Schlitz Playhouse of Stars
Released: October 5, 1951
Type: TV
Schlitz Playhouse of Stars is an anthology series that was telecast from 1951 until 1959 on CBS. Offering both comedies and drama, the series was sponsored by the Joseph Schlitz Brewing Company. The title was shortened to Schlitz Playhouse, beginning with the fall 1957 season.
bee
The Bells of St. Mary's
Title: The Bells of St. Mary's
Character: Choir Member (uncredited)
Released: December 27, 1945
Type: Movie
Father O'Malley is sent to St. Mary's, a run-down parochial school on the verge of condemnation. He and Sister Benedict work together in an attempt to save the school, though their differing methods often lead to good-natured disagreements.
bee
Going My Way
Title: Going My Way
Character: Choir Member (uncredited)
Released: May 15, 1944
Type: Movie
Youthful Father Chuck O'Malley led a colorful life of sports, song, and romance before joining the Roman Catholic clergy. After being appointed to a run-down New York parish, O'Malley's worldly knowledge helps him connect with a gang of boys looking for direction, eventually winning over the aging, conventional Parish priest.