Smith Hart facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Smith Hart |
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Hart in 2011
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| Birth name | Smith Stewart Hart |
| Born | November 28, 1948 Long Beach, New York, U.S. |
| Died | July 2, 2017 (aged 68) Calgary, Alberta, Canada |
| Spouse(s) |
Maria Rosado
(m. 1979; died 1998) |
| Children | 6, including 2 step-children |
| Family | Hart |
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Ring name(s) | Smith Hart Stu Hart |
| Billed height | 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) |
| Billed weight | 221 lb (100 kg) |
| Billed from | Calgary, Alberta, Canada |
| Trained by | Stu Hart |
| Debut | 1973 |
| Retired | 1991 |
Smith Stewart Hart (born November 28, 1948 – died July 2, 2017) was a professional wrestler from America and Canada. He was a well-known member of the famous Hart wrestling family. His parents were Stu Hart and Helen Hart. Smith was their first child, and he had many younger brothers who also became wrestlers, including Bret Hart and Owen Hart. Smith also had two sons, Mike and Matt Hart, who became professional wrestlers too. He spent most of his wrestling career in Canada. He was especially known for his time in Stampede Wrestling and for appearing with WWE. Smith Hart passed away in 2017 from prostate cancer.
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Growing Up
Smith Hart was born in New York, USA. He was a citizen of both the United States and Canada. His family had roots from different places. His mother's side was from Greece and Ireland. His father's family was mainly from Scotland and England.
When Smith was very young, his mother, Helen Hart, was in a car accident. This happened when she was expecting his younger brother, Bruce. Because of this, Smith lived with his grandparents for more than two years. His grandparents were Harry and Elizabeth Smith. Smith also taught his younger brother, Bret, how to draw.
Wrestling Career Highlights
Becoming a Wrestler
Smith wrestled for his father's wrestling company, Stampede Wrestling. He also wrestled in other countries like Puerto Rico, Japan, England, Germany, and the Netherlands. Besides wrestling, he helped with things behind the scenes at Stampede Wrestling.
Starting in Stampede Wrestling and Japan
In 1973, Smith Hart began his wrestling career in Stampede Wrestling. He had his first match in Regina, teaming up with Bob Pringle. Later that year, he also wrestled with his brother Bruce.
In 1974, Smith went to Japan to wrestle for International Wrestling Enterprise. His father wanted him to get more experience and learn discipline. Smith's brother Bret said that Smith found this time very stressful. Smith himself said that his time in Japan led to him breaking up with his girlfriend at the time.
From 1977 to 1980, Smith wrestled for Stampede Wrestling and the National Wrestling Alliance. He often wrestled against different opponents. During this time, he also formed a team with his brothers Bruce and Keith. They wrestled and won against other teams.
Winning Titles in Puerto Rico
In the late 1970s, Smith traveled to Puerto Rico with his younger brother Bret. They teamed up and won the WWC Caribbean Tag Team Championship. While in Puerto Rico, Smith met his future wife, Maria.
In the early 1980s, Smith continued to wrestle for Stampede Wrestling. He had many single matches and also teamed up with his brother Keith. He often teamed with his brother-in-law, Jim Neidhart. They wrestled against many different opponents. Smith also sometimes wrestled in three-person teams.
After Stampede Wrestling was sold to WWE, Smith continued to wrestle. He worked in Puerto Rico and Montreal in the late 1980s.
Independent Wrestling Matches
On June 24, 2011, Smith wrestled a match for Great North Wrestling. He returned to the ring on May 24, 2013, for Pure Wrestling Association. He won this match against Mad Braddock. His step-son Mike also wrestled at this event.
Appearing with WWE
Smith Hart made a few appearances for WWE, which was then called WWF.
- At the 1994 SummerSlam event, Smith and his brothers tried to climb the cage during a match between Bret and Owen Hart.
- On March 28, 2010, Smith appeared at Wrestlemania 26. He helped his brother Bret defeat Vince McMahon in a special match. The story was that McMahon had paid the Hart family to turn against Bret. But the family tricked McMahon and helped Bret win.
- Smith also appeared on WWE television when his father Stu was honored in the Hall of Fame.
Working as a Promoter
On November 6, 2011, Smith brought back the Stampede Wrestling name in Barrie, Ontario. He became an executive member of Victory Commonwealth Wrestling in February 2013. He made many appearances for this company.
In April 2014, Smith Hart announced that David Benoit, the son of wrestler Chris Benoit, would wrestle for Hart Legacy Wrestling. The match was later canceled. Smith was also a booker for Great North Wrestling.
Other Wrestling Work
Smith Hart opened a wrestling school called "Hart Brothers Wrestling School" in Cambridge, Ontario. This school trained many wrestlers, including the Highlanders. In November 2013, Smith also started writing columns for PWMania.com.
Life Outside Wrestling
Family Life
Smith Hart had several children. These included his sons Matthew and Chad, and daughters Toby McIvor and Satania Hart (Tania). He also had two step-sons, Michael Herweg and Steven Jupe. Smith had six grandchildren.
Two of his sons, Michael and Matthew, became professional wrestlers. They mostly wrestle in Canada. Sadly, Smith's brother Bret announced that his daughter Tania passed away on March 15, 2022.
Later Years and Passing
On January 21, 2016, Smith Hart shared that he had been diagnosed with prostate and bone cancer. He was also working on writing his life story. On July 2, 2017, it was announced that Smith Hart had passed away at the age of 68 due to cancer. A special service was held in Calgary, Alberta, to remember him.
After his passing, Real Canadian Wrestling held memorial shows to honor Smith Hart.
Awards and Achievements
Smith Hart received several honors during and after his wrestling career:
- World Wrestling Council
- WWC Caribbean Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Bret Hart
- Canadian Wrestling Hall of Fame
- Inducted in 2001
- Prairie Wrestling Alliance
- Prairie Wrestling Alliance Hall of Fame (Class of 2010)
- Totally Driven Entertainment
- Totally Driven Hall of Fame (Class of 2017)
