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John Smith was born on March 6, 1931 in Los Angeles, California, to Errol and Margaret Van Orden.
He attented the University of California where he stood out in dancing, football, gymnastics and basketball.
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By the early '40s John Smith started appearing in some films as a choir member, including 'Going My Way' and 'The Bells of St. Mary's'.
He then went on to star in other movies, this time as an actor, appearing in 'The High and the Mighty Milo Buck', 'Seven Angry Men Frederick Brown' and 'We're No Angels'.
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In the late '50s John Smith joined the cast of 'Laramie', taking over the role as "Slim Sherman", opposite Robert Fuller, Hoagy Carmichael and Robert L. Crawford.
From 1959 to 1963 Smith played "Slim Sherman", who was the series' main character, a young rancher and owner of the Sherman Ranch.
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Smith is also well known for his portrayal of "Brad Johnson" in Virgil Vogel's 1957 film 'The Kettles on Old MacDonald's Farm', sharing screen with the late Gloria Talbott, who played "Sally Flemming".
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John Smith and his 'Laramie' co-star, Robert Fuller, were not only TV pals. As per IMDb, the actors were close friends until Smith's death in 1995.
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Sadly, 'Laramie' got unexpectedly cancelled in 1963. At the time, Smith was offered a lead role in a new detective series, but he turned it down.
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John Smith did not only share screen with Robert Fuller in 'Laramie'. In fact, they also worked together in medical drama 'Emergency!', along actress Julie London, who appeared as a guest star in 'Laramie' as well.
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As of his personal life, in 1960 John Smith married actress Luana Patten, his 'Cimarron City' co-star. The late Patten was also known for her appearances in films 'Song of the South' and 'Melody Time'.
They divorced in 1964.
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Quick facts about John Smith:
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The 'Laramie' actor passed away on January 25, 1995, aged 63. His official cause of death was ruled cirrhosis of the liver, plus cardiac problems.
He died one week before Doug McClure, who was also prominent for his work in Western TV shows, such as 'The Virginian'.
Smith was cremated and his ashes were scattered at sea.
John Smith was an American actor, better known for his roles as "Slim Sherman" and "Deputy Lane Temple" in the Western shows 'Laramie' and 'Cimarron City'.
In 1995, news about his death broke, leaving TV enthusiasts devastated.
What was the cause of his death? Let's find out...
