Kent Smith

Kent Smith (March 19, 1907 – April 23, 1985) was an American actor who had a lengthy career in film, theater and television.

Related Topics:
March 19 - 1907 - April 23 - 1985 - American - Film - Theater - Television

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Born Frank Kent Smith in New York, New York, Smith made his acting debut on Broadway in 1932 in Men Must Fight and after spending a few years there, moved to Hollywood, California where he made his film debut in The Garden Murder Case. Initially he was groomed to play leading roles in "B" pictures, usually as solid and dependable types, or as the friend or rival for the heroines affections in more prestigious films. As he aged quickly, turning grey quite young, he moved into character roles.

Related Topics:
New York, New York - Broadway - 1932 - Men Must Fight - Hollywood, California - The Garden Murder Case

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His biggest successes occurred during the 1940s in films such as Cat People (1942), Hitler's Children (1943), This Land is Mine (1943), Youth Runs Wild (1944), The Curse of the Cat People (1944), The Spiral Staircase, (1946), Nora Prentiss (1947), Magic Town (1947), The Fountainhead (1949), My Foolish Heart (1949) and The Damned Don't Cry! (1950). He continued acting in supporting roles from the 1950s and made his final film appearance in Billy Jack Goes to Washington (1977).

Related Topics:
1940s - Cat People - Hitler's Children - This Land is Mine - Youth Runs Wild - The Curse of the Cat People - The Spiral Staircase - Nora Prentiss - Magic Town - The Fountainhead - My Foolish Heart - The Damned Don't Cry! - 1950s - Billy Jack Goes to Washington

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On Broadway he achieved success in Dodsworth (1934), Saint Joan (1936), Old Acquaintance (1941), Antony and Cleopatra (1948), and Bus Stop (1956).

Related Topics:
Dodsworth - Saint Joan - Old Acquaintance - Antony and Cleopatra - Bus Stop

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His numerous television credits include a continuing role in the soap opera Peyton Place as well as featured roles in the made for television movies The Night Stalker and The Snoop Sisters (both 1972). He began guest starring in television series in 1949 in The Philco Playhouse and also appeared in Robert Montgomery Presents, Wagon Train, General Electric Theater, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Naked City, Have Gun Will Travel, Perry Mason, Gunsmoke, Rawhide and Barnaby Jones. His last appearance was in a 1977 episode of Wonder Woman.

Related Topics:
Soap opera - Peyton Place - The Night Stalker - The Snoop Sisters - 1949 - The Philco Playhouse - Robert Montgomery Presents - Wagon Train - General Electric Theater - Alfred Hitchcock Presents - Naked City - Have Gun Will Travel - Perry Mason - Gunsmoke - Rawhide - Barnaby Jones - Wonder Woman

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He was married to the actress Betty Gillette from 1937 until 1954, and to the actress Edith Atwater from 1962 until his death.

Related Topics:
Betty Gillette - 1937 - 1954 - Edith Atwater - 1962

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He died from congestive heart failure in Woodland Hills, California at the age of 78.

Related Topics:
Congestive heart failure - Woodland Hills, California

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