LAMAMIMET

William Smithers was born on July 10, 1927, in Richmond, Virginia. He began his career on Broadway in the early 1950s, earning a Theater World Award for his performance as Tybalt in Romeo and Juliet and later receiving an Obie Award for his work in The Seagull. He became a life member of The Actors Studio and appeared in numerous stage productions both on and off Broadway.\n\nTransitioning to screen, Smithers amassed nearly 400 television credits, including appearances on The Invaders, Star Trek, Mission: Impossible, and Hawaii Five-O. He also acted in films such as Papillon (1973) and The Six Million Dollar Man (1974). His most recognizable television role was the ruthless oilman Jeremy Wendell on the primetime soap Dallas, which he portrayed in 1981 and from 1984 to 1989.\n\nBeyond acting, Smithers was known for his legal battle with MGM over star billing, a case that became a teaching example in entertainment law. In his later years he contributed to the arts community in Santa Barbara, producing radio theater, co‑hosting a local interview program, and serving on various arts boards. He died on May 26, 2026, at the age of 98.