Kurtwood Larson Smith (born July 3, 1943) is an American television and film actor. And I didn't want to just be mean Mr. Perry [from 'Dead Poets Society'], either. "You don't show up late, you don't make excuses and you don't not work. Speaking with StarTrek.comin 2017, Smith discussed his "Star Trek"rolesas the president of the Federation in "Star Trek VI:The Undiscovered Country,"Cardassian security officer Thrax in "Star Trek:Deep Space Nine,"and scientist Annorax in "Star Trek: Voyager. Sure, hes not the nicest guy, but its clear he means well and that he loves his son and wants the best for him, despite not being able to communicate it well. In a couple of roles, when he's not playing outright villains, Kurtwood Smith gets given the part of a government official, or a military figure. Birthday: Jul 3, 1943. He was portrayed by Kurtwood Smith as an adult, while his younger self is portrayed by Corey Landis . I remember when he was trying to teach me how to swim, and it just didnt go very well, he said. In addition, Smith played FBI Agent Edward Cooper in three episodes of Medium, one in 2006, another in 2008, and the latest in 2009. The writers would come up and say, 'Say this instead.' In the 1998 television movie A Bright Shining Lie, Smith and fellow Trek guest actors Ed Lauter and Harve Presnell all played generals. A quick glimpse at Smith's IMDbprofiledemonstrates that another factor in Smith's success has been hard work. Clarence was briefly seen in the RoboCop arcade game, featured in a cutscene depicting Murphy's murder. But what may be lost in this brilliant ensemble of quirky, memorable characters is Kurtwood Smith as Leslie Claret. ", Arguably the biggest misconception about Kurtwood Smith is that he appeared in the 1978 Oscar-winner "The Deer Hunter." Sadly, his stepdad passed away shortly before "That '70s Show"aired, but his influence clearly lives on. But now Reds back and ready to put his foot in the ass of a whole new generation. Moreover, he is still active in the entertainment industry, and his current net worth will increase for sure. He also lent his voice to Batman Beyond (2001) and Robot Chicken (2005). Birth name: Moreover, he belongs to American nationality and holds white racial ethnicity. A Clockwork Orange (Stanley Kubrick - 1971) This iconic and disturbing moment was a result of a perfectionist like Kubrick being frustrated by not getting the results he was looking for. "When I first read that script, I thought it was a B-movie, and that was probably good, because it made it easy for me to go in and audition," he said. His mother, Mable, was a massive fan of a country songwriter, singer "Kurt Smith "It took four hours to put that stuff on!" "I thought that it was a great part for him and that he would really shine in it," Smith added, "because I knew he had the ability to play the more serious aspects of the role. He's pretty much the creator on the show. As a matter of fact, That 70s Pilot show was created by Mark Brazil. The following year, they collaborated on an episode of 21 Jump Street in which Robert Hooks and Ray Walston appeared. "I can't tell you too much, but I can tell you that the big thing for me was getting to play that character again and getting to play that character withDeborah [sic]Jo Rupp playing my wife Kitty,"he explained. Smith had his greatest success playing Reginald "Red" Forman in the FOX comedy series That '70s Show. In 1996, he made his return to the sci-fi universe with amazing performances in The X Files, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Men in Black: The Series, and Star Trek: Voyager. Kurtwood Smith was born on July 3, 1943 in New Lisbon, Wisconsin, USA. On this series, Smith played a beach bum who claimed to be Jack Lord, the actor who starred in Hawaii Five-O and who was Gene Roddenberry's first choice for the role of James T. Kirk in the 1960s. Smith's Red Forman was a conservative Navy combat veteran who served in both World War II and the Korean War. Next, Smith starred in the CBS series Worst Week as Dick Clayton. Instead, he simply domineers his son Neil Perry (Robert Sean Leonard) and, in his grief, gets Welton Academy to throw renegade, inspiring professor John Keating (Robin Williams) out on his ear. I'd go to the grocery store and those are the people that are going to theater. he said. "I know that people I'm with are saying, 'Everyone in the room is staring at you,' and I say, 'Well, when I look around they aren't staring at me.' Well, reportedly, his current net worth is estimated to be $10 Million as per Celebrity Net Worth. Birth Place:New Lisbon, Wisconsin, United States. "I've done enough different things that it's not a plague to me like it might be for some people who are only identified with one particular role,"hetold The Wrap. He is also known for his role as gang leader Clarence Boddicker in the 1987 science fiction film RoboCop (with Peter Weller, Ronny Cox, and Miguel Ferrer). Red was in the military a long . But in 2016, he finally got the chance to appear in live-action form for a property based on a comic book, and that came in the form of ABC's "Agent Carter.". War veteran Ben Roberts-Smith is locked in a legal fight with the Defence Force watchdog over access to diary entries that he alleges may reveal meetings with a high-profile . "We just never thought we could actually get him. AsThe Hollywood Reporterdeclared at the time, he had joined the cast of ABC's "Agent Carter,"in which Hayley Atwell reprised her role as WWII-era espionage agent Peggy Carter from the "Captain America"movies. However, the show also differentiates itself by having a running theme of economic turmoil throughout and how people need the hope inspired by heroes to get through difficult times. Smith has also won critical acclaim for his performances on TV shows like Resurrection (2014 2015), Patriot (2015 present), Pig Goat Banana Ranch (2016 present), and The Ranch (2017- 2018). In the former, he's remembered for such performances as the authoritarian father of a prep school student in "Dead Poets Society"and as sadistic, sociopathic crime boss Clarence Boddicker in "RoboCop." According to Smith, he can recall the scenes "but I don't remember the jokes, because we would change them front of the audience. Smith is perhaps best known for his role as Red Forman in the situation comedy television series That '70s Show. It just brought the house down.. However, theres a very interesting story behind it. Certainly a case can be made for the subtle, layered, angst filled character of Michael Dorman's John Tavner. The latter timeline is when we see a young Sheldon Sampson (Josh Duhamel) follow mysterious visions to determine what his ultimate fate holds for him. In 1987, he landed his first major role as Clarence Boddicker in the sci-fi classic movie RoboCop. Explore more: Interesting Facts About The American Actor Troy Garity. . ), who spent the series trying to capture the title character, high school student and secret spy "Beans" Baxter. In 2015, he voice acted the role of Gene in the animated Regular Show: The Movie. Embarking on a career as an actor, however, wasn't something that was even on his radar until he was in college. Theres not much he gets to do here, but Kurtwood Smith adds suitable gravitas to the role of one of the powerful suits behind the scenes. In 2007, Smith appeared in two television series starring Star Trek alumni: Psych, which featured Corbin Bernsen, and House, which had Jennifer Morrison. Some guy named Paul with an unpronounceable name.'" performer: "Happy Together", "Shake Your Groove Thing", Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991), The Integral Principles of the Structural Dynamics of Flow. Camille has a master's degree from Saint Joseph University's Writing Studies program, and she currently works as the Writing Center Assistant Director at a small university in western Pennsylvania. While viewers of "That '70s Show" will always associate Kurtwood Smith with Red Forman, fans of "Star Trek"likely have a very different perspective of him. In 2006, he was the recipient of the Independent Spirit Award at the 2006 Garden State Film Festival for his lead performance in the drama Hard Scrambled. Smith and Ferrer again worked together a few years later when both were cast in the 1987 blockbuster RoboCop. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. He has the distinction of winning three Drama-Logue Awards for his outstanding acting, in on-stage productions of Billy Budd, Idiots Delight, and Green Grow the Lilacs. To some extent, Smith believes Reds relationship with Eric stems from the time he spent in the Navy. "I find 'Star Trek' very much in that vein, where the characters are a little bit larger than life,"he explained. "I'm used to sort of being the guy that people either know me or I can tell that people recognize me, either from the movies or people just think that they know me,"he said in an interview with Daily Actor. However, those who follow him on social media can get a glimpse into what his life outside of work is like. Kurtwood Smith ( born 3 July 1943; age 79) is an actor who played the Federation President in Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, Thrax in the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine fifth season episode " Things Past ", Annorax in the Star Trek: Voyager fourth season episodes " Year of Hell " and " Year of Hell, Part II ", and voiced Imperium Magistrate Twitter feed for faster news and bad jokes right here. "For it to go on that long, eight years, and to have a character that meant as much to me as he did personally that was special. Sound? Similarly, In 1980, Smiths first appearance was in Soap, Me and Maxx. "He was pushing Sylvester Stallone out of a helicopter [in 'Cliffhanger']. He Didn't Get Into Acting Until College. Kurtwood Smith played Red Forman on "That '70s Show" and reprised the role for "That '90s Show." He never saw himself in a sitcom, but it's one of his favorite jobs to date and he credits the . Smith has been delivering impressive performances since the 1980s, but it's a certainty that "That '90s Show"will result in this talented and versatile actor being discovered by a whole new generation of viewers. The younger cast may have been the ones getting into all kinds of hijinks, but they had to do all of their shenanigans while the tough-as-nails Red wasn't around because he wasn't afraid to give them some hard truths. He has mentioned fighting in the Western front as well. Smith has said in interviews that his mother named him Kurtwood because she felt Kurt Smith was too short a name. "I hadn't done anything big at that point," he said, admitting that the "role was an exciting prospect for me. As Vulture recalled, Pirkle now Joan Smith played a secretary whom Boddicker hits on, telling her, "I've got some free time. In 1988, he married actress Joan Pirkle, whom he met on the set of RoboCop. Smith's character, Mr. Sue, was the leader of the Underground Government Liberation Intergroup (U.G.L.I. Kurtwood Larson Smith Kurtwood Smith simultaneously continued his successful run in movies, with roles in Broken Arrow (1996), Deep Impact (1998), and Girl, Interrupted (1999), to name a few. What Shows Have Been Renewed or Canceled? The Den of Geek quarterly magazine is packed with exclusive features, interviews, previews and deep dives into geek culture. "One line, and it got a huge laugh, so it was really quite worth it. 10 Things You Didn't Know about Ross Smith, 10 Things You Didnt Know about Ally Maki, 10 Things You Didnt Know about Eleanor Matsuura, 10 Things You Didnt Know about Amara que Linda, 10 Things You Didnt Know about Aristotle Athari, 10 Things You Didnt Know about Lou Llobell, 10 Things You Didnt Know about Leslie Sykes, Day of Our Lives Spoilers: Kristins Secret is Almost Out, Richard Donner To Direct Lethal Weapon 5 With Original Cast, Doctor Whos Regeneration Ability Explained. Smith was born in New Lisbon, Wisconsin and . However, within the DC milieu, Smith is best known for playing Gotham City Police Department mainstay Jim Gordon in the animated series "Beware the Batman. No pressure. Hes no villain, just put in an impossible situation, which he effectively conveys. We finished two episodes and the response has been terrific,"he revealed. He has since appeared on such television programs as The A-Team (starring Dwight Schultz, with Lance LeGault), Picket Fences (with Sam Anderson and William Newman), 3rd Rock from the Sun (with Courtney Peldon), and Malcolm in the Middle (with Hallie Todd and the aforementioned Kenneth Mars). "In some ways, (he's) my favorite character because I was with him so long," said Smith, the veteran. Further, Smith has appeared in numerous movies, which are RoboCop, El Camino Christmas, Turbo, Hitchcock,and All in the Bunker. While some actors who become associated with a role fear becoming typecast, that hasn't been the case for him. Furthermore, as known, Smith has worked in 50 movies and featured in 87 television series. His mother, Mable, was a massive fan of a country songwriter, singer Kurt Smith. In an interview with The Los Angeles Times, the actor reveals that his stepfather was an inspiration for the role "in terms of [Red's] attitude, his voice, the walk and the edge that he had." Voyager comes across a Krenim timeship that's wiping whole species from existence to change the existing timeline. "When we were developing the character of Vernon Masters, we wrote it with [Smith] in mind," "Agent Carter" executive producers Tara Butters, Chris Dingess, and Michele Fazekas said inMarvel's announcement (via CBR). On Jan. 19, Netflix is set to debut That 90s Show, featuring Reds return as a grandpa. The series aired for fifteen episodes from September 2008 through February 2009. Date of birth: ", Interestingly, Smith's extensive pedigree of playing bad guys gave some Fox executives pause when he was in the running to play Red Forman on "That '70s Show." Kurtwood Smith, who plays the salty sailor with a backstory of Naval combat during World War II and the Korean War, is reprising the role after 17 years. In one memorable scenefrom "That '70s Show,"Red is lecturing son Eric (Topher Grace) about the importance of maintaining a strong work ethic. 10 Things You Didnt Know about Kurtwood Smith, Will Smith Understands If His Fans Aren't Ready To Support His Work. Hes just tall enough to be intimidating at 61, and his bald head and craggy features give him a unique look in todays Hollywood. To have a great hero, you need a great villain. I did not write any of those jokes, but when I first auditioned for the role and from then on, I always had my stepdad in mind. He starts singing it kind of like the lounge guy he used to do on 'Saturday Night Live' and he sings the entire song,"Smith recalled. In fact, the role is so synonymous with the actor, that his Twitter bio defines him as "Dad from 'That' show". You will receive mail with link to set new password. According to an interview with him on, Originally auditioned for the role of Dick Jones in. In 2015, Kurtwood Smith achieved a rite of passage common to many actors these days: He became part of the fabric of the vast collection of films and TV series collectively known as the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Still, Smith was born in New Lisbon and spent some of his childhood in the area. That 90s Show is on Netflix starting Jan. 19. The M-1965 Field Jacket (also known as M65 and M-65 Field Jacket), named after the year it was introduced, is a popular field jacket initially designed for the US military under the MIL-C-43455J standard. From his gleeful execution of young Officer Alex Murphy to the many, many awesome lines given by Boddicker, Kurtwood Smith is the star of this show from his very introduction. It's fitting that Kurtwood Smith, a native of New Lisbon, Wisconsin, would achieve his biggest fame in Wisconsin-set "That '70s Show." Reportedly, Smith was known as a president during his senior years. On the other hand, Smith grew up with his mother in the San Fernando Valley. He won twice at the 2016 Behind the Voice Actors Awards for his performance. We wish him a bright future ahead. ", In 2020, Smith logged his fourth appearance in the "Star Trek" universe when he lent his voice to an episode of the animated spinoff "Star Trek:Lower Decks,"voicing Imperium Magistrate Clar in the episode titled "Veritas. Moreover, the frictionless character Red is the enduringly disgruntled, ill-tempered, who is the father of Laurie Forman and Eric. He is an actor and producer, known for RoboCop (1987), Broken Arrow (1996) and Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991). Interviewed by The AV Club, Smith admitted that being directed by the quirky star of such comedy blockbusters as "Ghostbusters"and "Groundhog Day"was a singularly unique experience. I'd have no problem acknowledging that if it was me. To a certain extent, hes never been gone, Smith told Military Times. This was followed by major supporting roles in the 1989 films True Believer (with Joel Polis and Richard Fancy) and Dead Poets Society. Year of Hell: Directed by Allan Kroeker. "I think it says that I'm an uncredited extra in the water. That isnt true for Kurtwood, though. Smith appeared in the seventh season of the FOX drama series 24, executive-produced by Manny Coto and Brannon Braga. When most people look at Kurtwood Smith these days, the first line that probably comes to mind is, "Dumba**!" Since 2000, Smith's film credits have consisted of shorts and independent productions. Norman Lloyd also appeared in the film, playing the headmaster of the school Smith's son was attending. That's because Smith has made multiple appearances on the franchise. Speaking with Comic Book, Smith revealed the three reasons why he agreed to reprise Red. Moreover, his eye color is blue, whereas the color of his hair is blond. It's currently unconfirmed why Smith requires the use of a cane. Kutwood Smith continued on a successful trajectory with roles in TV shows like Stingray and the Primetime Emmy Awards nominated miniseries North and South in 1986. In Second World War, his father was a major; unfortunately, his father was killed in Europe. So you're watching something eight years later, and you only said it once, it's easy to forget.". "Nor 'Married With Children.' "I was also not offered the role of the original Batman,"he joked to The Wrap. Smith also divulged that when he watches those reruns, he'll tend to remember individual episodes, but not his character's punchlines. But according to Smith, Red never. Theres no doubt it was Reds favorite word. He joined the cast in the show's second season as Vernon Masters, part of the secretive Council of Nine that helps shape U.S. politics. Regineld Forman was born in December 7, 1927 to Albert Forman and his mother Bernice. According to Celebrity Net Worth, Smith is sitting atop a $10 million fortune. Kurtwood Smith is in a passionate love affair with his long time girlfriend, who turns out to be his spouse, Joan Pirkle. Hes always been a part of me, but its great to be sharing him with others again.. ", Smith offered up another denial when speaking to The AV Club. He's done voice work for a number of different animated series, including "Beware the Batman," "Green Lantern:The Animated Series,"and "Batman Beyond." Its one of the most popular movies at Den Of Geek for a good reason, and its not all Christopher Lambert. Kurtwood Smith holds an impressive net worth, which is reported to be $10 Million. Kurtwood Smith was born in New Lisbon, Wisconsin, America 1943, July 3. It probably came about more there than it did from anyplace else.. "Eric, work is work,"Red explains. His daughter Laurel Garner has featured in a Transformer film and some Tv series. And heres another. He continued auditioning for roles and in the next few years established himself as an actor with movies like Going Berserk (1983) and Flashpoint (1984), etc. Moreover, the reason for the breakup is still unknown. THEN AND NOW: How the cast of 'That '70s Show' has changed from the original series to the Netflix spin-off. In 2293, at the Khitomer conference, the Federation President was the target of an assassination attempt by Colonel West and other war-hawk . He must have had a quiet moment where he sat in the corner of his trailer, softly sobbing to himself and wondering why, but the professionalism of the man was such that he dried his eyes and made the role of Doctor Alan Palmer credible. "Those two things were enough to entice me to want to do the project. In Esquire'soral history of "Robocop," Smith recalled that "he was just getting started" when he was cast in what ended up being a career-making role. Red joined the Navy at 17. Smith also worked with on a pilot for CBS called Hitched (co-starring with Sharon Lawrence), though it has yet to be picked up as a series. While the show isnt great (feel free to debate that), the character of Red Foreman is the best part, and thats all thanks to Kurtwoods gruff delivery and incredible comic timing. According to IMDb, Smith's first on-screen role was as "Guy in Laundromat" on the sitcom "Soap." But even seeing what lay ahead for him, Sheldon persevered to find the island that holds his destiny. Old Man Miller may not be in much of the show, and even though he's caked with dirt, it's plain as day to see that he's played by legendary actor Kurtwood Smith. For sitcom fans, Kurtwood Smith will always be best known for playing crotchety Red Forman on "That '70s Show" for eight seasons. She previously served as the Digitial Editor of Military Times and the Army Times Editor. Kurtwood is a very devoted family man and hes a very proud grandfather who looks forward to spending time with his loved ones whenever he can. Kurtwoods IMDB page reports that he has 160 acting credits which include both voice and live-action work. Through it all, Red has easily become one of the most iconic dads in sitcom history. As weve mentioned, Kurtwood Smiths CV clearly has him as a go-to guy for high-ranking government officialdom. As Smith told the Orlando Sentinel, some of the characters he's played are "actual villains, and some were just problematic. Yes, with no surprise, Smith was in a marital relationship with Souza to whom he got married in 1964. Throughout his career, Kurtwood has chosen to stay pretty private when it comes to his personal life. Red Forman may be a fictional character, but at the core, he is an embodiment of someone who Kurtwood was very close to: his stepfather. Kurtwoods live-action work is what has made him famous. Of course, his tune changed quickly once all the satire and humor came to light, and now, Smith is forever part of sci-fi's rich legacy. Silverstone steals the movie this time, that much is a given, but Kurtwood has a great, generous supporting role and a surprisingly intense fight scene with Cary Elwes. Kurtwood may have gotten into acting a little later than some people, but once the acting bug bit him he knew that he had to do everything he could to sharpen his skills. Kurtwood Smith-That 70's show, The Patriot, Dead Poet's Society, El Camino Christmas- has a very aspirational success story and we loved having him in the attic. Kurtwood Smith plays a protective father here, as hes about to again when we come to talk about his number five role. Then he says, 'Action!' Old Man Miller may not be in much of the show, and even though he's caked with dirt, it's plain as day to see that he's played by legendary actor Kurtwood Smith. Or skippedy do." However, Smith earns more than social media. "Sohe said, 'OK, everybody ready? That role, Smith told The AV Club, "was a big deal for me." It remains a mess of a film, but at least Kurtwood Smith is trying here. Until now, Smith has appeared in various cameo appearances. ", Interestingly enough, Smith is also one of the rare actors to have appeared in projects for both Marvel and its rival, DC. He is an actor and producer, known for, "That '90s Show" Cast Pick Their Favorite '90s Trends. There are some actors who dont like to play villains because they dont want to be associated with those types of characters. His star sign is Cancer. The origin of the need for this largely forgotten weapon goes back to the early stages of the Vietnam War when the U.S. Navy's elite SEALs employed a variety of small arms in their operations in the region. I wanted to go to school, but I didnt really know what to do. That seems about right. Kurtwood didnt grow up with dreams of becoming an actor. He played Senator Blaine Mayer, who was responsible for the disbanding of the Counter Terrorist Unit (CTU) and was attempting to bring Jack Bauer to justice for committing what he saw as Human rights violations. More recently, Smith has been the voice of Don Killbride in the animated TBS series Neighbors from Hell, which premiered in June 2010. After an elongated explanation from Frank Whaleys Giles Prentice as to why they should tell the truth about, er, a missing nuclear weapon, Smiths character has a two-line, deadpan reply: The truth? I remember the first time I said that [Eric] was a dumbass, Smith noted. Hes got a lead ass.. New Lisbon, Wisconsin, USA That 70s Show as a Red Forman. While declaring "Dead Poets Society"to be "one of my favorite films, and one of the films I'm most proud of,"he also admitted it "wasn't always fun to do, acting-wise. Most notably, the reason Smith is an Authentic Wisconsinite, is for his endearing role as Red Forman in "That '70s Show" for eight seasons. There is no information about the duos first met up. "So I ended up taking an acting class and I did quite well, and I thought, 'Well, let's see how this goes.' Simultaneously, he continued his TV journey with, Lou Grant (1980 1981) and Renegades (1983). Eric and his long-term-girlfriend-turned-wife, Donna (Laura Prepon), had a baby: Reds granddaughter Leia (Callie Haverda). By joining TV Guide, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. Birthplace: New Lisbon, Wisconsin, USA. Similarly, he enrolled at Stanford University in 1969 and earned a masters in fine arts. Since she felt like the name Kurt Smith would be too short, she decided to add wood to the end of his first name. ", During that interview, Smith described the experience of being Red as "just a pleasure," particularly when working with on-screen wife Debra Jo Rupp. It's not hyperbole to describe Kurtwood Smith as a veteran of film and television. Smith, who is, in actuality, about as warm as a person can be, said he drew loose inspiration for the blunt character of Red from his stepfather, Bill, who was a World War II veteran. Kurtwood Smith (born 3 July 1943; age 79) is an actor who played the Federation President in Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, Thrax in the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine fifth season episode "Things Past", Annorax in the Star Trek: Voyager fourth season episodes "Year of Hell" and "Year of Hell, Part II", and voiced Imperium Magistrate Clar in the Star Trek: Lower Decks first season episode "Veritas". That, Smith explained to Today, was kind of by design although he did tread carefully. However, the series' creators, Bonnie and Terry Turner, pushed for Smith, and offered those execs an example explaining their point. And then I remembered, 'Well, what am I worried about? Smith graduated from Canoga Park High School, California in 1961 and then studied B.A. Others who appeared on 24 that season include John Billingsley, Connor Trinneer, Bob Gunton, Glenn Morshower, Jeffrey Nordling, Tony Todd, and Annie Wersching. Nobody from that office building over there wants to see my wrinkled old ass.' Red had a gruff demeanor that viewers found both intimidating and endearing; he could be strict with his children, but he was always looking out for them in his own way . Cookies help us deliver our Services. As bad as Dick Jones and OCP are in Paul Verhoevens rightly-lauded RoboCop, nobody menaces the people of Detroit quite like the evil Clarence J Boddicker.
