In this article, you will learn more about John Smith’s biography, net worth, social media, and some frequently asked questions about him. You will also find out some interesting facts and stories about his life and work.
John Smith Biography
| Name | John Smith |
|---|---|
| Birth day | March 6, 1931 |
| Birth place | Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Age | 63 (at the time of death) |
| Birth sign | Pisces |
| Nationality | American |
| Mother | Margaret Van Orden |
| Father | Errol Van Orden |
| Spouse | Luana Patten (1960-1964) |
| Siblings | None |
| College | University of California, Los Angeles |
John Smith Net Worth
John Smith’s net worth at the time of his death is not known, but he was estimated to have earned around $50,000 per episode for Laramie.
He also had income from his film roles and voice acting. Some of the interesting stories about him are:
- He was married to actress Luana Patten from 1960 to 1964. She was his co-star in The Women of Pitcairn Island and they met on the set. She was previously married to Ronny Huntley at the age of 15.
- He was known for his soft voice and was nicknamed Smitty by his friends and colleagues.
- He was an avid golfer and enjoyed playing with his fellow actors such as Robert Fuller and James Drury.
- He was a fan of Elvis Presley and once visited him at Graceland with Robert Fuller.
About John Smith
John Smith was born as Robert Errol Van Orden in Los Angeles, California, to Errol and Margaret Van Orden. He was a descendant of Peter Stuyvesant, the Dutch governor of New Netherland in the 17th century. He 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, basketball, and gymnastics during his school years.
He started his acting career in 1943 as a member of 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. 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”. He worked as a messenger for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer before getting his first credited role as James Stewart’s brother in Carbine Williams in 1952.
Some of his notable films include:
- The High and the Mighty (1954), where he played Milo Buck, a newlywed passenger on a doomed flight.
- Wichita (1955), where he played James Earp, older brother of Wyatt Earp.
- Friendly Persuasion (1956), where he played Caleb Cope, a Quaker farmer who joins the Union Army.
- The Women of Pitcairn Island (1956), where he played Thursday October Christian, the son of Fletcher Christian.
He also starred in two NBC western television series, Cimarron City (1958-1959) and Laramie (1959-1963), where he played Deputy Lane Temple and Slim Sherman respectively. He also appeared in many other TV shows, such as Stories of the Century, Crossroads, The Millionaire, Father Knows Best, Marcus Welby, M.D., Police Woman, Emergency!, and Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color.
He retired from acting in the late 1970s and his last appearances were in Justin Morgan Had a Horse (1972) and Will to Die (1975). He died on January 25, 1995, in Los Angeles from cirrhosis of the liver and heart problems.
John Smith Social Media
John Smith did not have any official social media accounts before his death. However, there are some fan pages dedicated to him on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. You can also find some photos and videos of him on IMDb and Pinterest.
FAQs about John Smith
When and where was John Smith born?
John Smith was born on March 6, 1931, in Los Angeles, California, U.S.
What was John Smith’s real name?
John Smith’s real name was Robert Errol Van Orden. He changed it to John Smith when he became an actor.
What were John Smith’s most famous roles?
John Smith’s most famous roles were Deputy Lane Temple in Cimarron City and Slim Sherman in Laramie, both NBC western television series.
How did John Smith die?
John Smith died on January 25, 1995, in Los Angeles from cirrhosis of the liver and heart problems.
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