Paul L. Smith

Smith's first acting role, at age 24, was in Otto Preminger's 1960 epic Exodus, which was filmed in Israel. This was his first visit to the country. In 1967, Smith returned to Israel as a Mahal volunteer in the Six-Day War and remained for six years, appearing in locally filmed features and television productions. He received director credit on the 1970 documentary Milhemet 20 HaShanim (War of 20 Years) and the 1972 crime drama Jacko Vehayatzaniot (Jacko and the Prostitute or Tel Aviv Call Girls).

Between 1973 and 1977, Smith made a series of films with Michael Coby (pseudonym of Antonio Cantafora). Smith played Bud Spencer-like characters while Coby was a Terence Hill lookalike in Bud & Terence-fashion.[1] One of these films, Convoy Buddies, was selected for American release by Film Ventures International, and producer Edward L. Montoro changed Smith's name to "Bob Spencer" and Cantafora's name to "Terrance Hall". Smith sued,[2] successfully arguing that an actor's name recognition is vital to his career. The judicial system agreed and ruled against FVI, which paid Smith damages and court costs.[3]

Smith made appearances in such films as 21 Hours at Munich (1976), Midnight Express (1978), as Bluto in Popeye (1980), and as Glossu Rabban in Dune (1984). On television, he appeared in such established series as Emergency!, CHiPS, Wonder Woman, Barney Miller and Hawaii Five-O.

Smith and his second wife emigrated to Israel. After taking Israeli citizenship, the couple adopted Hebrew names: Adam and Aviva Eden.

On April 25, 2012, Smith died in Ra'anana from undisclosed causes, at the age of 75.[4]

• I'm Mean (1980)

• Paul L. Smith at IMDb
• Paul L. Smith at AllMovie