Cast & creator
John Smith
Best known for Adam-12, The Virginian, Emergency!
Actor John Smith was born Robert Errol Van Orden in Los Angeles. He began his career singing with The Robert Mitchell Boy Choir, a group which appeared in two Bing Crosby films, Going My Way (1944) and The Bells of St. Mary's (1945). His agent Henry Willson, who also gave Tab Hunter and Rock Hudson their names, changed Van Orden's name to "John Smith". Robert Hofler, author of "The Man Who Invented Rock Hudson", reports that an actress identified as Pocahontas Crowfoot was in the courtroom when the name change was granted. In We're No Angels (1955), Smith had a small role as "Arnaud", the ship's doctor. Aldo Ray, observing the doctor in full dress whites, says "he looks like a glass of milk". John Smith's other film credits include Circus World (1964) and Justin Morgan Had a Horse (1972). Smith also appeared in the television westerns Cimarron City (1958) and Laramie (1959).
Also known as: Robert Errol Van Orden
29
film credits
21
television credits
50
1944–2011 · acting roles
6.5
average across scored titles
Signature credits
Known for
Across film & television
Filmography (50)
Showing 50 of 50 credits
Adam-12
Ron McKee
1968
The Virginian
Dee Garvey
1962
Emergency!
Capt. Hammer
1972
Marcus Welby, M.D.
Doc Hunter
1969
Police Woman
1974
Gunsmoke
David
1955
Father Knows Best
Utah
1954
The Ford Television Theatre
1952
Alfred Hitchcock Presents
Irving Randall
1955
Laramie
Slim Sherman
1959
The Millionaire
Charles 'Lucky' Swanson
1955
Telephone Time
Philip Horton
1956
The Wonderful World of Disney
Rep Aeronaut
1954The Wonderful World of Disney
Mr. Ames
1954
Letter to Loretta
Art
1953
Wire Service
Howie
1956
Frontier
Willie Magill - aka The Colfax Kid
1955
Hondo
1967
Cimarron City
Deputy Sheriff Lane Temple
1958
General Electric Theater
1953
Friendly Persuasion
Caleb Cope
1956
Schlitz Playhouse of Stars
1951
The Bells of St. Mary's
Choir Member (uncredited)
1945
We're No Angels
Medical Officer Arnaud
1955
The High and the Mighty
Milo Buck
1954
Going My Way
Choir Member (uncredited)
1944
Hondo and the Apaches
Ed Dow
1967
Circus World
Steve McCabe
1964
Waco
Joe Gore
1966
Justin Morgan Had a Horse
Mr. Ames
1972
Wichita
Jim Earp
1955
Meteor
Narrator
2011
The Bold and the Brave
Smith
1956
The Kettles on Old MacDonald's Farm
Brad Johnson
1957
The Crooked Circle
Tommy Kelly
1957
Rebel in Town
Wesley Mason
1956
A Star Is Born World Premiere
Self
1954
Island of Lost Women
Joe Walker
1959
Tomahawk Trail
Pvt. Reynolds
1957
Hot Rod Girl
Jeff Northrup
1956
Desert Sands
Pvt. Rex Tyle
1955
Blood Legacy
Dr. Carl Isenburg
1971
Fury at Showdown
Miley Sutton
1957
The Women of Pitcairn Island
Thursday October Christian
1956
The Lawless Eighties
William Wesley Van Orsdel
1957Sea Divers
Mike Gilbert
1958
Quincannon, Frontier Scout
Lt. Phil Hostedder
1956
Seven Angry Men
Frederick Brown
1955
Handle with Care
Bill Reeves
1958
Ghost Town
Duff Dailey
1956