John Smith

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).

Known For

Alfred Hitchcock Presents

as Irving Randall

We're No Angels

as Medical Officer Arnaud

Going My Way

as Choir Member

The Bells of St. Mary's

as Choir Member (uncredited)

Friendly Persuasion

as Caleb Cope

Gunsmoke

as David

The High and the Mighty

as Milo Buck

Circus World

as Steve McCabe

Wichita

as Jim Earp

Emergency!

as Capt. Hammer