Biography
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).
Movies & TV Shows
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Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1955) — Irving Randall
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We're No Angels (1955) — Medical Officer Arnaud
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Going My Way (1944) — Choir Member (uncredited)
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The Bells of St. Mary's (1945) — Choir Member (uncredited)
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Friendly Persuasion (1956) — Caleb Cope
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Gunsmoke (1955) — David
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Circus World (1964) — Steve McCabe
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The High and the Mighty (1954) — Milo Buck
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Wichita (1955) — Jim Earp
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Emergency! (1972) — Capt. Hammer
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Adam-12 (1968) — Ron McKee
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The Virginian (1962) — Dee Garvey
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The Wonderful World of Disney (1954) — Rep Aeronaut
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Police Woman (1974)
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Father Knows Best (1954) — Utah
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Blood Legacy (1971) — Dr. Carl Isenburg
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Marcus Welby, M.D. (1969) — Doc Hunter
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Laramie (1959) — Slim Sherman
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Island of Lost Women (1959) — Joe Walker
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Hot Rod Girl (1956) — Jeff Northrup
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Tomahawk Trail (1957) — Pvt. Reynolds
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Fury at Showdown (1957) — Miley Sutton
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Justin Morgan Had a Horse (1972) — Mr. Ames
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Waco (1966) — Joe Gore
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The Kettles on Old MacDonald's Farm (1957) — Brad Johnson
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Desert Sands (1955) — Pvt. Rex Tyle
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Quincannon, Frontier Scout (1956) — Lt. Phil Hostedder
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Rebel in Town (1956) — Wesley Mason
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Letter to Loretta (1953) — Art
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Hondo (1967)
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Hondo and the Apaches (1967) — Ed Dow
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The Bold and the Brave (1956) — Smith
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Seven Angry Men (1955) — Frederick Brown
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General Electric Theater (1953)
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The Women of Pitcairn Island (1956) — Thursday October Christian
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Schlitz Playhouse of Stars (1951)
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The Crooked Circle (1957) — Tommy Kelly
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Ghost Town (1956) — Duff Dailey
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A Star Is Born World Premiere (1954) — Self
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The Millionaire (1955) — Charles 'Lucky' Swanson