Dean Smith, the former Olympic sprinter and Hollywood stunt performer, has passed away at the age of 91. Smith, who won a gold medal at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics, had a successful career as a stunt performer, working on numerous films starring John Wayne and other Hollywood stars. His death was confirmed by his friend Rob Word.
Born on January 15, 1932, in Breckenridge, Texas, Smith grew up on his grandparents’ ranch and found inspiration from cowboy stars like Roy Rogers and Gene Autry. He excelled in sports during his college years at the University of Texas, where he played football and ran track. In 1952, he represented the United States at the Summer Olympics in Finland, finishing fourth in the 100-meter dash and contributing to the gold medal-winning 400-meter relay team.
After serving in the U.S. Army, Smith pursued a career in Hollywood with the help of James Garner, an Olympic teammate. He started his stunt career on the NBC series “Tales of Wells Fargo” and appeared in several Paul Newman films, including “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” and “The Sting.” Smith also doubled for Dale Robertson in “Blood on the Arrow” and for George Hamilton in “Evel Knievel.” He even filled in for Maureen O’Hara in the film “McLintock!” and earned a good amount of money for his work on that film.
Smith’s most significant collaboration was with legendary actor John Wayne. He worked with Wayne on films like “Rio Bravo,” “The Alamo,” and “True Grit.” Smith’s other notable film credits include Alfred Hitchcock’s “The Birds,” Robert Aldrich’s “Ulzana’s Raid,” and Steven Spielberg’s “The Sugarland Express.” He also portrayed Kit Carson in “Seven Alone” and performed a daring stunt hanging upside down from a fake blimp in “Black Sunday.”
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In addition to his stunt work, Smith was also recognized for his achievements. He was inducted into the Hollywood Stuntmen’s Hall of Fame and the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame. In 2013, he published his memoir, titled “Cowboy Stuntman: From Olympic Gold to the Silver Screen,” with a foreword by James Garner.
Dean Smith is survived by his wife, Debbie, and his son, Finis. His contributions to the film industry and his athletic achievements will always be remembered. He leaves behind a legacy as a talented stunt performer and a beloved figure in both the Olympic and Hollywood communities.
