John Smith

Biography

John Smith, originally named Robert Errol Van Orden, was born in Los Angeles and carved out a notable career in the entertainment industry. His journey began as a young performer with The Robert Mitchell Boy Choir, a talented group that showcased their vocal harmonies in two classic Bing Crosby films: *Going My Way* (1944) and *The Bells of St. Mary's* (1945).

Smith's transition into a solo acting career was facilitated by his agent, Henry Willson, who also famously rebranded other stars like Tab Hunter and Rock Hudson. It was in a courtroom setting that Van Orden officially adopted the stage name John Smith, a moment witnessed by actress Pocahontas Crowfoot, as recounted by Robert Hofler in his book *The Man Who Invented Rock Hudson*.

Smith's filmography includes a memorable role in the comedy *We're No Angels* (1955), where he played "Arnaud," the ship's doctor, a character humorously described by co-star Aldo Ray as resembling "a glass of milk." His other notable film appearances include *Circus World* (1964) and *Justin Morgan Had a Horse* (1972). Additionally, Smith made his mark on television with performances in popular western series such as *Cimarron City* (1958) and *Laramie* (1959), showcasing his versatility in both film and television throughout the 1950s and beyond.