Milan Smith (actor)

Milan Smith (April 27, 1923 – May 2, 2001) was an American actor and stuntman.[2][3][4] He was known for playing the role of Kyle in the American western television series Rawhide.[5]

This article is about the actor and stuntman. For the attorney and jurist, see Milan Smith.
Milan Smith
Born(1923-04-27)April 27, 1923
South Dakota, U.S.
DiedMay 2, 2001(2001-05-02) (aged 78)
Victorville, California, U.S.
Occupation(s)Actor, stuntman
Years active1951–1969
SpouseMyrna Smith[1]

Life and career

Smith was born in South Dakota,[6] where he was raised on a Sioux reservation.[1][5] He served the Pacific in World War II.[5][6] Smith worked for almost 20 years as a stunt double. His first appearances were in 1951 in the western television series The Lone Ranger. While appearing in the show he became friends with the actor Jay Silverheels,[5][7] who played the role of Tonto.[1] Smith appeared on numerous television westerns including, Gunsmoke, Bonanza, The Wild Wild West, Tombstone Territory, The Rifleman, The Virginian, Maverick, The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp, Death Valley Days, Branded, Wanted: Dead or Alive, Bat Masterson, Tales of Wells Fargo and Wagon Train.[5][6]

Smith was a regular cast member on the western television series Rawhide from 1959 to 1960, playing the role of Kyle.[5]

Smith also appeared in films including Duel on the Mississippi, Masterson of Kansas, Rio Bravo, The Adventures of Bullwhip Griffin, Stagecoach to Dancers' Rock,[8] Jesse James vs. the Daltons, Here Come the Marines, Waco, The Toughest Gun in Tombstone, Cattle Queen of Montana and Escape from Fort Bravo.[6] He retired in 1969, last appearing in the film Change of Habit.

After retiring, Smith became a horse trainer.[7] When his friend Jay Silverheels died from complications of pneumonia in March 1980 at the age of 62,[9] Smith named a horse "Hi Ho Silverheels" in his honour.[1][6][7]

Death

Smith died in May 2001 in Victorville, California, at the age of 78.[5]

References
  1. Schuelein, Steve (March 3, 1995). "LOS ALAMITOS: Hi Ho Silverheels Tries to Gain Identity as a Winning Pacer". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 8, 2022.
  2. "Tonto's fame started with lacrosse". The Expositor. Brantford, Ontario, Canada. August 26, 1977. p. 36. Retrieved January 8, 2022 – via Newspapers.com. closed access
  3. "New 'Hit' Role for Stunt Man". The Times. San Mateo, California. December 30, 1970. p. 10. Retrieved January 8, 2022 – via Newspapers.com. closed access
  4. Swesey, Ben (August 17, 1969). "Movie Stunt Man Will Try Luck As Fair Sulky Driver". The Sacramento Bee. Sacramento, California. p. 95. Retrieved January 8, 2022 – via Newspapers.com. closed access
  5. "Milan Smith". The Rifleman. Retrieved January 8, 2022.
  6. Freese, Gene (April 10, 2014). Hollywood Stunt Performers, 1910s-1970s: A Biographical Dictionary, 2d ed. McFarland. p. 261. ISBN 9780786476435 – via Google Books.
  7. "Tonto's Pacer Ever Faithful". Chicago Tribune. Chicago, Illinois. November 17, 1994. p. 65. Retrieved January 8, 2022 – via Newspapers.com. closed access
  8. Blottner, Gene (2000). Universal-International Westerns, 1947-1963: The Complete Filmography. McFarland. p. 258. ISBN 9780786407910 – via Google Books.
  9. "Jay Silverheels, Actor, 62, Dead; Was Tonto in TV 'Lone Ranger'; In 'Key Largo' and 'True Grit'". The New York Times. March 6, 1980. Retrieved January 8, 2002.
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