Bill Smitrovich facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bill Smitrovich
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Smitrovich at Schriever Air Force Base in 2010
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| Born |
William Stanley Zmitrowicz Jr.
May 16, 1947 Bridgeport, Connecticut, U.S.
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| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1982–present |
| Spouse(s) | Shaw Purnell |
| Children | 2 |
Bill Smitrovich (born William Stanley Zmitrowicz Jr. on May 16, 1947) is an American actor. He is known for playing tough characters like police officers, detectives, and military leaders in many movies and TV shows.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Smitrovich was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut. His mother, Anna, and his father, Stanley, were of Polish descent. His father worked as a tool and die maker.
After high school, Bill went to the University of Bridgeport and graduated in 1972. He later earned a Master of Fine Arts degree from Smith College in 1976. He is married to Shaw Purnell, and they have a son named Alexander and a daughter named Maya.
Acting Career
Bill Smitrovich began his acting career in the 1980s and has appeared in dozens of popular TV shows and movies. He is often cast in roles of authority, like generals or police inspectors.
Television Roles
Smitrovich's first major role on television was as Detective Sgt. Danny Krychek in the 1980s show Crime Story. He later starred in the family drama Life Goes On.
He has played many memorable characters, including:
- Inspector Cramer in the detective series A Nero Wolfe Mystery.
- Assistant District Attorney Kenneth Walsh in The Practice.
- Police Chief Alex Olcyk in Without a Trace.
- Vice President Raymond Jarvis in the NBC show The Event.
Smitrovich has also made guest appearances on many famous shows. These include Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Criminal Minds, Castle, and the new version of Dynasty.
Film Roles
Smitrovich has acted in many successful films. He often plays military officers in action movies. Some of his well-known military roles were in Independence Day (1996), Air Force One (1997), and Eagle Eye (2008).
He also appeared in the Marvel Comics movie Iron Man (2008) as General Gabriel. Some of his other movie roles include the Stephen King horror film Silver Bullet (1985), the comedy Ted (2012), and the spy thriller The November Man (2014).
Selected Film and TV Work
Here are some of the well-known movies and TV shows Bill Smitrovich has been in.
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996–1997 | Millenium | Lt. Robert "Bob" Bletcher | 11 episodes |
| 2001–2002 | Nero Wolfe | Inspector Cramer | 25 episodes |
| 2003 | The Reagans | Alexander Haig | Television film |
| 2015 | Two and a Half Men | Rick | Episode: "For Whom the Booty Calls" |
| 2017–2018 | Dynasty | Thomas Carrington | 3 episodes |
Film
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Splash | Ralph Bauer |
| 1985 | Silver Bullet | Andy Fairton |
| 1986 | Manhunter | Lloyd Bowman |
| 1996 | Independence Day | Colonel Watson |
| 1997 | Air Force One | General William Northwood |
| 2000 | Thirteen Days | General Maxwell Taylor |
| 2006 | Gridiron Gang | Wainwright |
| 2008 | Iron Man | General Gabriel |
| 2012 | Ted | Frank |
| 2014 | The November Man | Hanley |
| 2024 | Joker: Folie à Deux | Judge Herman Rothwax |
