A Long‑Running Actor’s Final Curtain

William Smithers, who spent nearly five decades on stage and screen, passed away at 98 in Santa Barbara.

Early Stage Career

• Broadway debut (early 1950s): Portrayed Tybalt opposite Olivia de Havilland.
• Actors Studio: Joined after his Broadway work, honing his craft.

Television Highlights

• “Dallas” (1980s): Appeared in 50 episodes.
• Soap operas: Starred in Peyton Place and Guiding Light.
• Guest spots: Featured on Star Trek, Ironside, and Hunter.

Filmography

• 1956: Debut role in Attack.
• 1972: Police captain in Trouble Man.
• 1994: Small part in a Walker, Texas Ranger episode.

Legal Legacy

• MGM lawsuit: While playing Anderson Gault on Executive Suite, Smithers challenged a contract that capped other cast members’ pay.
• Outcome: Won the case, faced no blacklist threat. The decision was upheld to the California Supreme Court and is now a staple in entertainment‑law curricula.

Personal Life

• Spouse: Writer and acting teacher S. Loraine Hull; they lived together in Santa Barbara until her death in 2022.