Ian Smith (actor)
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Ian Smith | |
|---|---|
| Occupation | Television actor |
| Years active | 1966 - 2009 |
Ian Smith (born June 19 1938) is an Australian soap opera character actor and television scriptwriter, best known today for his long-running role as the caring, kindly coffee shop owner Harold Bishop in Network Ten's long running serial Neighbours.
Smith had previously acted in guest roles in drama series such as the Crawford Productions police dramas Homicide, Division 4 and Matlock Police, and in regular or recurring roles in long-running Australian television serials Bellbird and Prisoner. Smith was also script editor of Prisoner for most of its eight-year run. He became Associate Producer of Prisoner late in its run.
Smith became best known through his portrayal of Harold Bishop in the soap opera Neighbours from 1987 to 1991 and then from 1996 before switching to recurring status from 2008 until 2009, becoming one of its longest serving characters.
Smith was 54 when his mother Connie Smith, realising she had twenty-four hours to live, finally admitted to him that he had been adopted. After her death, Smith went in search of his natural mother Peg Kline, whom he finally found. According to Kline's story, Smith was conceived when she was thirteen, the product of rape by her uncle, and was put up for adoption. Kline eventually married and had two children from this marriage. She never told anyone besides her husband about her first son until she was contacted by Smith via a letter.
She contacted his wife Gail Smith, who mentioned that her son was a prominent Neighbours actor, to which Kline replied, "I've never seen Neighbours in my life". Smith and Kline were reunited and he has built a strong relationship with his mother and two half-brothers, although Smith says that he doesn't feel a mother–son relationship. He calls Kline "one of my best friends". Peg Kline died in May 2005 after a battle with cancer.
Smith first told the story to the public in an exclusive interview on the biographical documentary series Australian Story on March 14, 2005.
Smith announced his retirement as a full-time member of the Neighbours cast in November 2007, but added that he would be returning to make several guest appearances during 2008. He will film his final ever episode in October 2008, which will be shown on Australian screens in February 2009.
Selected filmography
- Neighbours (1987-1991, 1996-1997, 1997-2009).... Harold Bishop
- Body Melt (1993) .... Dr. Carrera
- Blue Heelers (1994) .... Clive Burton
- Prisoner (1979-1983).... Ted Douglas
- Chopper Squad (1978)
- Glenview High (1977) .... Rocky
- Bluey (1977) .... Sen. Det. Davidson
- Division 4 (1975) .... Mike Chapman
- Matlock Police (1973) .... Larry Fisher
- Homicide (1972) .... Johnny Reid
- Detective(1969) .... Dick Spencer
- Belbird (1967) .... Russell Ashwood
Source
"Australian Story" - March 14, 2005