Lane Smith

Biography

Lane Smith (April 29, 1936 – June 13, 2005) was a distinguished American actor whose career spanned several decades in film, television, and theater. He completed his education at the Leelanau School in Glen Arbor, Michigan, and later attended the Hill School in Pennsylvania before honing his craft at the Actors Studio in the late 1950s and early 1960s alongside notable peers like Dustin Hoffman and Al Pacino, eventually earning a spot in their Hall of Fame. Smith also served his country for two years in the United States Army.

Making his film debut in 1970 with Maidstone, Smith quickly established himself in the industry during the 1970s, appearing in significant films such as Rooster Cogburn (1975) and Network (1976). His television roles included a poignant portrayal of a Marine in the miniseries A Rumor of War and a notable performance in Gideon's Trumpet (1980), which featured an impressive cast including Henry Fonda.

Smith's career gained considerable momentum in the 1980s with roles in Red Dawn, Places in the Heart, and the iconic series V. His striking performance as Richard Nixon in the docudrama The Final Days (1989) earned him a Golden Globe nomination, with Newsweek highlighting his compelling depiction of Nixon’s turmoil. Additionally, he was recognized for his work in the Broadway production of Glengarry Glen Ross, earning a Drama Desk Award.

In the 1990s, Smith continued to make waves with roles in Air America, My Cousin Vinny, and as Perry White in Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman. He concluded his career with a role in HBO’s miniseries From The Earth to the Moon and in the film The Legend of Bagger Vance (2000).

Smith's life was cut short by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in April 2004, and he passed away at his home in