Milan Smith (actor)

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This article is about the actor and stuntman. For the attorney and jurist, see Milan Smith.
Milan Smith
Born(1923-04-27)April 27, 1923
South Dakota, U.S.
DiedMay 2, 2001(2001-05-02) (aged 78)
Victorville, California, U.S.
OccupationActor, stuntman
Years active1951–1969
Spouse(s)Myrna Smith[1]

Milan Smith (April 27, 1923 – May 2, 2001) was an American actor and stuntman.[2][3][4] He was known for playing the role of "Kyle" in the American western television series Rawhide.[5]

Life and career[]

Smith was born in South Dakota,[6] where he was later raised on a Sioux.[1][5] He served in World War II,[5][6] in which Smith began his career in 1951, first appearing in the western television series The Lone Ranger. After appearing in The Lone Ranger, he became friends with actor, Jay Silverheels,[5][7] who played the role of "Tonto" in the television series.[1] Smith appeared on numerous westerns including, Gunsmoke, Bonanza, The Wild Wild West, Tombstone Territory, The Rifleman, The Virginian, Maverick, The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp, Death Valley Days, Branded, Wanted: Dead or Alive, Bat Masterson, Tales of Wells Fargo and Wagon Train.[5][6]

With his role in Rawhide, Smith played the role of "Kyle", a regular cast member on the western television series.[5] He played the role from 1959 to 1960, in which his role was the cowhand.[5] Smith also appeared in films, such as, Duel on the Mississippi, Masterson of Kansas, Rio Bravo, The Adventures of Bullwhip Griffin, Stagecoach to Dancers' Rock,[8] Jesse James vs. the Daltons, Here Come the Marines, Waco, The Toughest Gun in Tombstone, Cattle Queen of Montana and Escape from Fort Bravo.[6] He retired his career in 1969, last appearing on the film Change of Habit. After retiring his career, Smith became a horse trainer.[7] When his friend, Jay Silverheels died in March 1980 from complications of pneumonia, at the age of 62,[9] he promised that he would name a horse after Silverheels.[7] Smith named the horse, "Hi Ho Silverheels".[1][6][7]

Death[]

Smith died in May 2001 in Victorville, California, at the age of 78.[5]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c d Schuelein, Steve (March 3, 1995). "LOS ALAMITOS: Hi Ho Silverheels Tries to Gain Identity as a Winning Pacer". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 8, 2022.
  2. ^ "Tonto's fame started with lacrosse". The Expositor. Brantford, Ontario, Canada. August 26, 1977. p. 36. Retrieved January 8, 2022 – via Newspapers.com. closed access
  3. ^ "New 'Hit' Role for Stunt Man". The Times. San Mateo, California. December 30, 1970. p. 10. Retrieved January 8, 2022 – via Newspapers.com. closed access
  4. ^ Swesey, Ben (August 17, 1969). "Movie Stunt Man Will Try Luck As Fair Sulky Driver". The Sacramento Bee. Sacramento, California. p. 95. Retrieved January 8, 2022 – via Newspapers.com. closed access
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h "Milan Smith". The Rifleman. Retrieved January 8, 2022.
  6. ^ a b c d e Freese, Gene (April 10, 2014). Hollywood Stunt Performers, 1910s-1970s: A Biographical Dictionary, 2d ed. McFarland. p. 261. ISBN 9780786476435 – via Google Books.
  7. ^ a b c d "Tonto's Pacer Ever Faithful". Chicago Tribune. Chicago, Illinois. November 17, 1994. p. 65. Retrieved January 8, 2022 – via Newspapers.com. closed access
  8. ^ Blottner, Gene (2000). Universal-International Westerns, 1947-1963: The Complete Filmography. McFarland. p. 258. ISBN 9780786407910 – via Google Books.
  9. ^ "Jay Silverheels, Actor, 62, Dead; Was Tonto in TV 'Lone Ranger'; In 'Key Largo' and 'True Grit'". The New York Times. March 6, 1980. Retrieved January 8, 2002.

External links[]

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