John Smith
Known for Acting · 49 credits
- Born
- 1931-03-06
- Died
- 1995-01-25
- Place of birth
- Los Angeles, California, USA
- Also known as
- Robert Errol Van Orden
Biography
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).
Known For
TV Shows (20)
Father Knows Best
1954
as Utah
Adam-12
1968
as Ron McKee
Emergency!
1972
as Capt. Hammer
The Virginian
1962
as Dee Garvey
Gunsmoke
1955
as David
Marcus Welby, M.D.
1969
as Doc Hunter
Police Woman
1974
The Millionaire
1955
as Charles 'Lucky' Swanson
Telephone Time
1956
Alfred Hitchcock Presents
1955
as Irving Randall
Laramie
1959
as Slim Sherman
The Ford Television Theatre
1952
Wire Service
1956
as Howie
The Wonderful World of Disney
1954
as Rep Aeronaut / Mr. Ames
Letter to Loretta
1953
as Art
Hondo
1967
Frontier
1955
as Willie Magill - aka The Colfax Kid
General Electric Theater
1953
Schlitz Playhouse of Stars
1951
Cimarron City
1958
as Deputy Sheriff Lane Temple
Movies (29)
The High and the Mighty
1954
as Milo Buck
We're No Angels
1955
as Medical Officer Arnaud
Friendly Persuasion
1956
as Caleb Cope
Circus World
1964
as Steve McCabe
Sea Divers
1958
as Mike Gilbert
Going My Way
1944
as Choir Member (uncredited)
Hondo and the Apaches
1967
as Ed Dow
The Bells of St. Mary's
1945
as Choir Member (uncredited)
Wichita
1955
as Jim Earp
The Lawless Eighties
1957
as William Wesley Van Orsdel
Meteor
2011
as Narrator
Desert Sands
1955
as Pvt. Rex Tyle
The Bold and the Brave
1956
as Smith
Hot Rod Girl
1956
as Jeff Northrup
Waco
1966
as Joe Gore
A Star Is Born World Premiere
1954
as Self
Quincannon, Frontier Scout
1956
as Lt. Phil Hostedder
Fury at Showdown
1957
as Miley Sutton
Tomahawk Trail
1957
as Pvt. Reynolds
Rebel in Town
1956
as Wesley Mason
Justin Morgan Had a Horse
1972
as Mr. Ames
The Crooked Circle
1957
as Tommy Kelly
Seven Angry Men
1955
as Frederick Brown
Handle with Care
1958
as Bill Reeves
The Women of Pitcairn Island
1956
as Thursday October Christian
Blood Legacy
1971
as Dr. Carl Isenburg
Island of Lost Women
1959
as Joe Walker
The Kettles on Old MacDonald's Farm
1957
as Brad Johnson
Ghost Town
1956
as Duff Dailey
About John Smith
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 (… With 49 credits spanning from 1944 to 2011, John Smith has appeared in 29 films and 20 TV shows.
Fans searching for John Smith movies, John Smith filmography, or the latest projects starring John Smith can stream many of these titles on Bowood.TV, free and in HD, with no subscription required.
Most Popular John Smith Movies
- The High and the Mighty (1954) — as Milo Buck
- We're No Angels (1955) — as Medical Officer Arnaud
- Friendly Persuasion (1956) — as Caleb Cope
- Circus World (1964) — as Steve McCabe
- Sea Divers (1958) — as Mike Gilbert
Where to Watch John Smith Films
Most John Smith movies and series are available to stream on Bowood.TV in full HD, completely free and without signup. Browse the complete filmography above to jump directly to any title. For more films and the latest web series featuring John Smith, check our movies catalogue and browse page.