What is John Smith's middle name?
Errol
What is John Smith's full name?
Robert Errol Van Orden
John Smith nickname(s):
John Smith, Robert Errol Van Orden
John Smith date of birth:
March 6, 1931
How old was John Smith when died?
63
Where was John Smith born?
Los Angeles, CA
When did John Smith die?
January 25, 1995
Where did John Smith die?
Los Angeles, CA
Why did John Smith die?
Cirrhosis
Is John Smith gay or straight?
Straight
What is John Smith's ethnicity?
White
What is John Smith nationality?
American
What is John Smith's occupation?
Actor
John Smith claim to fame:
Laramie
Who is John Smith's father?
Errol Van Orden
Who is John Smith's mother?
Margaret Van Orden
Short Biography
Biography by Sandra BrennanActor John Smith may best be remembered for starring in the television westerns Cimarron City (1958-60) and Laramie (1959-63), but he also played supporting roles in numerous feature films. Smith was born Robert Earl Van Orden in Los Angeles. He began his career singing with the Bob Mitchell Choir Boys. The musical group appeared in two Bing Crosby efforts Going My Way (1944) and The Bells of St. Mary's (1946). While one might think a distinguished-sounding name such as Robert Van Orden has as star quality all its own, the actor himself didn't agree and partially as a jest decided to change his name to the more generic John Smith. Accompanied by agent Henry Willson (the man who provided Tab Hunter and Rock Hudson with their stage names), Van Orden went before a skeptical judge. When asked why he would adopt such a plain-jane name, Van Orden claimed that he would be the only actor in Hollywood with that name. Thus far, he has been right. As John Smith, his film credits include The Kettles on Old Mac Donald's Farm (1957), Circus World (1964) and Justin Morgan Had a Horse (1981).