Howard Smith
ActingAbout Howard Smith
Howard Irving Smith (August 12, 1893 in – January 10, 1968) was an American character actor with a 50-year career in vaudeville, theater, radio, films and television. In 1938 he performed in Orson Welles's short-lived stage production and once-lost film, Too Much Johnson, and in the celebrated radio production, "The War of the Worlds". He portrayed Charley in the original Broadway production of Death of a Salesman and recreated the role in the 1951 film version. On television Smith portrayed the gruff Harvey Griffin in the situation comedy, Hazel.
Howard Smith Movies & Career Overview
The filmography of Howard Smith reflects a career marked by diverse experimentation. Across 22 major appearances, the actor has built a reputation through performances in multiple genres and storytelling styles.
Dominant Genre
A large portion of Howard Smith's work falls within the Drama genre, where audiences tend to respond most strongly to their on-screen presence.
Success Ratio
Approximately 27% of Howard Smith's films maintain ratings above 6.5, indicating a consistent level of audience approval.
One of the most highly rated entries in their career remains A Face in the Crowd, which stands out as a key performance.
Best Howard Smith Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Howard Smith's career based on audience ratings.
Full Filmography
Every movie Howard Smith has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1964 | The Brass Bottle | Senator Grindle | Average | Similar → |
| 1962 | Bon Voyage! | Judge Henderson | Average | Similar → |
| 1960 | Murder, Inc. | Albert Anastasia | Average | Similar → |
| 1959 | Face of Fire | Sheriff Nolan | Average | Similar → |
| 1958 | Wind Across the Everglades | George Leggett | Average | Similar → |
| 1958 | No Time for Sergeants | Maj. Gen. Eugene Bush | Hit | Similar → |
| 1958 | I Bury the Living | George Kraft | Average | Similar → |
| 1957 | Don't Go Near the Water | Admiral Junius Boatwright | Flop | Similar → |
| 1957 | A Face in the Crowd | J.B. Jeffries | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1956 | Sincerely, Willis Wade | P.L. Nagle | Flop | Similar → |
| 1953 | The Caddy | Golf Official | Average | Similar → |
| 1953 | Never Wave at a WAC | Maj. Gen. Prentiss (uncredited) | Flop | Similar → |
| 1951 | Death of a Salesman | Charley | Hit | Similar → |
| 1951 | The Great Merlini | Davis Belmont | Flop | Similar → |
| 1950 | Cry Murder | Sen. Alden | Flop | Similar → |
| 1948 | The Street with No Name | Ralph Demory | Average | Similar → |
| 1948 | State of the Union | Sam I. Parrish | Hit | Similar → |
| 1948 | Call Northside 777 | K.L. Palmer | Hit | Similar → |
| 1947 | Kiss of Death | Warden | Hit | Similar → |
| 1946 | Her Kind of Man | Bill Fellows | Average | Similar → |
| 1945 | The Front Page | Mayor | Flop | Similar → |
| 1938 | Too Much Johnson | Joseph Johnson | Flop | Similar → |
Howard Smith - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of Howard Smith?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Howard Smith is "A Face in the Crowd" with a rating of 7.6/10.
How many movies has Howard Smith acted in?
Howard Smith has been featured in at least 22 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by Howard Smith?
Other notable films include "No Time for Sergeants", "Death of a Salesman", and "Kiss of Death".