Alexis smith net worth

Alexis Smith

Canadian-born American actress (–)

For the American artist, see Alexis Smith (artist).

Margaret Alexis Smith (June 8, – June 9, ) was a Canadian-born American actress, pin-up girl and singer. She appeared in several major Hollywood films in the s and had a notable career on Broadway in the s, winning a Tony Award in for the Stephen Sondheim-James Goldman musical Follies.

Early life

Smith was born in Penticton, British Columbia, the only child of Gladys Mabel Smith (née Fitz-Simmons; a Canadian) and Alexander Smith (a Scot). Her family moved to Los Angeles when she was about a year old. Her parents both became naturalized U.S. citizens in , through which she derived her United States citizenship.[1] She grew up in Los Angeles, attending Hollywood High School along with other future talents, including actress Nanette Fabray.

Smith made her professional debut performing ballet at the Hollywood Bowl.[2] She was discovered in at Los Angeles City College, acting in a school production, by a Warner Bros. talent scout.[2]

Warner Bros

Early roles

After being discovered by a talent scout while attending college, Smith was signed to a contract by Warner Bros.[3] Her early film roles were uncredited bit parts in films like Lady with Red Hair (), She Couldn't Say No (), Flight from Destiny (), The Great Mr.

Nobody (), Here Comes Happiness (), Affectionately Yours (), Singapore Woman (), Passage from Hong Kong () and Three Sons o' Guns (). Her first credited role was in the feature film Dive Bomber (), playing the female lead opposite Errol Flynn. It was a "decorative" part but the film was very successful.[4] Warners decided to build her up as a star.[5] She had a support role in The Smiling Ghost () and appeared with her future husband Craig Stevens in Steel Against the Sky (), the first time she was top billed.

Craig stevens biography Read More. Undercover Girl as Christine Miller. Special Offers Exclusive products we release related to your favorite shows and streaming services Sign Up It's free! Margaret Alexis Fitzsimmons Smith is her drab name.

Stardom

Smith co starred opposite Errol Flynn in Gentleman Jim (), one of the most popular movies of the year. Her lead appearance in The Constant Nymph () was well-received and led to bigger parts.[6]

After a cameo dancing in Thank Your Lucky Stars (), Smith appeared opposite Fredric March in The Adventures of Mark Twain (), and starred alongside Ann Sheridan in The Doughgirls ().

She had another cameo in Hollywood Canteen () then co starred with Jack Benny in The Horn Blows at Midnight ().

Smith co-starred with Humphrey Bogart in Conflict () and Robert Alda in the George Gershwin biopic Rhapsody In Blue (). She liked her part in the latter because "while a heavy of sorts I get to do the unexpected."[4]

She was reunited with Flynn in San Antonio () in which she sang a special version of the popular ballad "Some Sunday Morning"; the movie was a huge hit.[7]

Smith appeared with Sheridan again in One More Tomorrow () then Cary Grant in a sanitized, fictionalized version of the life of Cole and Linda Porter in Night and Day (); the latter was another box office success.

Smith appeared alongside Eleanor Parker and Paul Henreid in Of Human Bondage (), then did a second film with Bogart, The Two Mrs. Carrolls (); Hopper described the latter as "a typical Alexis Smith role".[4] She later said of her Warners years "more often than not I played the other woman."[8]

Smith made Stallion Road () with Ronald Reagan and The Woman in White () with Parker.

She was top billed in The Decision of Christopher Blake () which was announced as an attempt to change her image instead of being just "a mirror to reflect others' emotions".[9]

She co starred with Dane Clark in Whiplash (), was Joel McCrea's leading lady in South of St. Louis () then worked with Zachary Scott in One Last Fling ().

MGM borrowed her for a Clark Gable film Any Number Can Play () then she made one last movie with Flynn, Montana ().[9]

In October Smith was granted a release from her contract with Warner Bros after refusing being loaned out to Universal for a role in Shoplifter () (she was replaced by Andrea King).[10] She had been at the studio for nine years, having signed a four-year deal in that had the option of going to [11]

After Warners

Smith went to Universal to appear in Wyoming Mail (), a Western with Stephen McNally, and Undercover Girl () a film noir.

She played a shy aristocrat who is coached out of her staid shell by Bing Crosby to rival Jane Wyman in Paramount's Here Comes the Groom (), her favorite role.[12][13] At Universal she made Cave of Outlaws () with MacDonald Carey then back at Paramount was in The Turning Point () with William Holden.[14]

She received excellent reviews for playing Private Lives on stage with Victor Jory.[15]

Smith was in Split Second () at RKO with McNally then went to England to star in The Sleeping Tiger () with Dirk Bogarde for Joseph Losey.

In she appeared on stage in Bell Book and Candle with Victor Jory.[16]

She began appearing in television on shows such as The Star and the Story, Stage 7, The 20th Century-Fox Hour, The Joseph Cotten Show: On Trial, Robert Montgomery Presents, Lux Video Theatre, Schlitz Playhouse, and The United States Steel Hour.

At Republic she made The Eternal Sea () with Sterling Hayden. She had no offers so signed to go on tour with her husband in a production of Plain and Fancy which meant she missed out on roles in the films Serenade and The Toy Tiger.[17]

Smith was in Beau James () with Bob Hope,[18]This Happy Feeling () with Curt Jurgens and The Young Philadelphians with Paul Newman ().

She also appeared on a Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis radio (NBC) broadcast on January 25, [12]

Stage career

While Smith was under contract at Warner Bros., she met fellow actor Craig Stevens; they wed in In her later years, Smith toured in several stage hits including the National company of Plain and Fancy, Jean Kerr's Mary, Mary, Any Wednesday and Cactus Flower, all co-starring her husband.

Actress alexis smith biography A national stage tour of "Pal Joey" gave theatregoers another chance to appreciate her musical talents and Smith joined fellow Golden Age veterans Kirk Douglas and Burt Lancaster in the caper comedy "Tough Guys" Alice in Movieland as Carlo's Guest uncredited. She was also a professional dancer, having won a dance competition for her ballet lessons. Dress Gray 2 episodes as Mrs.

In the s Smith continued to work on television with roles in Adventures in Paradise, Michael Shayne, The Defenders, The Governor & J.J., and Marcus Welby, M.D..

Smith appeared on the cover of the May 3, issue of Time as the result of the critical acclaim for her singing and dancing role in Hal Prince's Broadway production of Stephen Sondheim's Follies, which marked her long-awaited Broadway debut.

In , she won the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her performance.[12][19]

Her stage career continued through the s, with appearances in the all-star revival of The Women (), the short-lived re-working of William Inge's drama Picnic, re-titled Summer Brave (), and the ill-fated musical Platinum (), which earned Smith another Tony nomination for her performance but closed after a brief run.[20]

She starred in several regional productions of Applause and then toured for more than a year as the madam in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, including a seven-month run in Los Angeles.

She continued to appear on TV in movies like Nightside and shows such as The Lives of Benjamin Franklin. She also performed in nightclubs.[21]

Later work

Smith returned to the big screen with star billing at the age of 54 in Jacqueline Susann's Once Is Not Enough () opposite Kirk Douglas, followed by The Little Girl Who Lives Down the Lane with Martin Sheen and Jodie Foster the following year and Casey's Shadow with Walter Matthau in [12] She and her husband appeared in Losey's The Trout (

One of her later film roles came in , again with Douglas when he reunited with frequent co-star Burt Lancaster for the comedy Tough Guys.

Smith had a recurring role on the television series Dallas as the mentally unstable Lady Jessica Montford in , and again in [22] She starred in the short-lived series Hothouse, and was nominated for an Emmy Award for her guest appearance on Cheers in [12] Her last film role was in The Age of Innocence ().

  • Videos
  • 4:40YouTubeThe Life and Tragic Ending of Alexis SmithMar 20, 202110.9K Views

    • Death

    Alexis Smith died of brain cancer in Los Angeles on June 9, , the day after her 72nd birthday. She had no children; her sole survivor was her husband of 49 years, actor Craig Stevens. Smith's final film, The Age of Innocence (), was released shortly after her death. Her body was cremated and her ashes were scattered over the Pacific Ocean.[23]

    Filmography

    Film

    Television

    Television
    Year Title Role Notes
    Stage 7Caroline Taylor 1 episode
    The 20th Century Fox HourEmily Hefferan 1 episode
    The Joseph Cotten ShowLibby Wilson 1 episode, "We Who Love Her"
    Schlitz Playhouse of StarsVivian Braxton 1 episode
    Adventures in ParadiseLoraine Lucas 1 episode
    Michael ShayneNora Carroll 1 episode
    The DefendersCarol Defoe 1 episode
    The Governor & J.J.Leslie Carroll 1 episode
    Marcus Welby, M.D.Evie Craig 1 episode (co-starring Craig Stevens)
    Bob Hope SpecialGuest Star airing October 5,
    NightsideSmitty Television movie
    Alternative title: A Very Special Place
    The Love BoatSeason 6: Episodes 8 & 9.

    November 13,
    "The Spoonmaker Diamond"/"Papa Doc"/"The Role Model"/"Julie's Tycoon – Parts 1 & 2"

    DallasLady Jessica Farlow Montford Season 7: Episodes 24–30
    The Love BoatAngela Lovett Season 7: Episodes 25 & May 5,
    "Dreamboat"/"Gopher, Isaac & the Starlet"/"The Parents"/"The Importance of Being Johnny"/"Julie and the Producer – Parts 1 & 2"
    A Death in CaliforniaHoney Niven Television miniseries
    The Love BoatJustina Downey Season 9: Episodes 4 & 5.

    November 2,
    "The Villa"/"The Racer's Edge"/"Love or Money"/"The Accident – Parts 1 & 2"

    Dress GrayMrs. Iris Rylander Television movie
    HothouseLily Garrison Shannon 7 episodes
    Marcus Welby, M.D.: A Holiday AffairTessa Menard Television movie
    DallasLady Jessica Farlow Montford Season Episodes 23, 24, 26, 27
    LolaPhoebe Television movie
    CheersProfessor Alice Anne Volkman 1 episode, nominated for an Emmy

    Stage work

    Radio appearances

    See also

    References

    Notes

    1. ^Bubbeo , p.

      Actor craig stevens biography Okay for Sound. Gentleman Jim as Victoria Ware. She succumbed to brain cancer on June 9, , the day after her 72nd birthday. Date of Birth:

    2. ^ abMonush , pg.
    3. ^Donnelley , p.
    4. ^ abcAlexis Smith Rejected Fancy Name From Studio: Screen Actress Third Hollywood School 'Find' Alexis Likes Role Change Alexis Smith Says She's Happy When Roles Change", Los Angeles Times, September 23, B1.
    5. ^"Miss Alexis Smith Getting Buildup", The Washington Post August 10, L2.
    6. ^Variety
    7. ^Glancy, H.

      Mark. "Warner Bros film grosses, –" Historical Journal of Film, Radio and Television. March

    8. ^Alexis Smith is a star of survival: Alexis Smith: Beautiful, yes, but brains and talent are trademarks of her survival Kleiman, Carol. Chicago Tribune May 26, a5.
    9. ^ abNew Alexis Smith to Make Her Debut: New Alexis Smith to Make Bow Scott, John L.

      Los Angeles Times November 28, D1.

    10. ^Alexis Smith Replaced for Jilting Picture Los Angeles Times October 24, 2.
    11. ^ALEXIS SMITH GETS CONTRACT RELEASE: Warners Free Actress Who Refused 'Shoplifter' Role, but Deny Bacall Request New York Times October 29, 9.
    12. ^ abcdeMaltin , p.

    13. ^Alexis Smith Gets Crosby Picture Role Hopper, Hedda. Los Angeles Times November 24, B6.
    14. ^Drama: Alexis Smith Gets Lead With Holden Los Angeles Times September 14, B8.
    15. ^Alexis Smith Hunts Super Role After Shining Success on Stage: Alexis Smith Hunting for Super Role Strong, E J.

      Los Angeles Times November 30, E1.

    16. ^Victor Jory, Alexis Smith Star in van Druten Comedy By Edwin F. Melvin. The Christian Science Monitor June 16,
    17. ^Alexis Smith Got That Old H'wood Treatment By Hedda Hopper; Hollywood. The Washington Post and Times-Herald October 2, H7.
    18. ^Star Alexis Smith Tops Most Leading Ladies Chicago Daily Tribune November 10, e
    19. ^Alexis Smith to Stay With 'Follies' Los Angeles Times July 1, f
    20. ^Alexis Smith Shines in an Empty New Musical By EDWIN WILSON.

      Wall Street Journal November 17,

    21. ^Alexis Smith's Ageless Grace Lane, Lydia.

      Craig stevens and alexis smith: She is also a Hollywood actress who has appeared in a number of films. Alexis Smith Canadian actress. Here Comes Happiness as Blonde uncredited. She was often cast as rather aloof, upper-class characters, though her image softened somewhat following an appearance in the Bing Crosby musical "Here Comes the Groom"

      Los Angeles Times January 9, g9.

    22. ^ Clark, Kenneth R., "Alexis Smith in 'Dallas' to stir up more trouble", Chicago Tribune, March 23,
    23. ^Cozad , p.
    24. ^Ladd, Harry S. (). VIII. Sweet Springs area – West Virginia, Virginia, August 22 – November 3, ; February 21 – March 28, .

      [s.n.] doi/

    25. ^Kirby , p. 48

    Bibliography

    • Bubbeo, Daniel.

      Alexis Smith - Biography - IMDb Tough Guys as Belle. The Age of Innocence as Louisa van der Luyden. The Sleeping Tiger as Glenda Esmond. She seems to avoid controversies and prefers to concentrate on her work.

      The Women of Warner Brothers. McFarland, ISBN&#;

    • Cozad, W. Lee. More Magnificent Mountain Movies: The Silver Screen Years –. Lake Arrowhead, California: Sunstroke Media, ISBN&#;
    • Donnelley, Paul. Fade to Black: A Book of Movie Obituaries. London: Omnibus Press, ISBN&#;
    • Kirby, Walter. "Better Radio Programs for the Week".

      The Decatur Daily Review, November 16, Retrieved: June 18, via

    • Maltin, Leonard. "Alexis Smith". Leonard Maltin's Movie Encyclopedia.

    • Alexis smith husband
    • How tall was alexis smith
    • Alexis smith wikipedia
    • Alexis smith cause of death

      • New York: Dutton, ISBN&#;

    • Monush, Barry. Screen World Presents the Encyclopedia of Hollywood Film Actors: From the silent era to . Applause Theatre & Cinema Books, ISBN&#;
    • "Film and legit actress Alexis Smith dead at 72". Variety, June 10, Retrieved: March 11,

    External links