Paul L. Smith
ActingAbout Paul L. Smith
Paul L. Smith (February 5, 1939 – April 25, 2012) was an American character actor. Burly, bearded, and imposing, he has appeared in films and occasionally on TV since the 1970s, generally playing "heavies" and bad guys. His most notable roles include Hamidou, the vicious prison warden in Midnight Express (1978), Bluto in Robert Altman's Popeye (1980) and the Beast Rabban in David Lynch's Dune (1984). He is sometimes credited as Paul Smith or Paul Lawrence Smith.
Paul L. Smith Movies & Career Overview
The filmography of Paul L. Smith reflects a career marked by diverse experimentation. Across 47 major appearances, the actor has built a reputation through performances in multiple genres and storytelling styles.
Dominant Genre
A large portion of Paul L. Smith's work falls within the Action genre, where audiences tend to respond most strongly to their on-screen presence.
Success Ratio
Approximately 11% of Paul L. 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 Midnight Express, which stands out as a key performance.
Best Paul L. Smith Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Paul L. Smith's career based on audience ratings.
Full Filmography
Every movie Paul L. Smith has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Eric Falk: Sunshine-Judo auf Ibiza | (archive footage) | Flop | Similar → |
| 1999 | D.R.E.A.M. Team | Vladimir Corzon (as Paul Smith) | Flop | Similar → |
| 1994 | Maverick | The Archduke | Hit | Similar → |
| 1992 | Desert Kickboxer | Santos | Flop | Similar → |
| 1991 | Eye of the Widow | Elko | Flop | Similar → |
| 1990 | Crossing the Line | Joe Kapinski | Flop | Similar → |
| 1990 | Caged Fury | Head Guard | Flop | Similar → |
| 1989 | Ten Little Indians | Elmo Rodgers | Flop | Similar → |
| 1989 | Sonny Boy | Slue | Flop | Similar → |
| 1989 | Crazy Camera | - | Hit | Similar → |
| 1989 | You're Famous | - | Flop | Similar → |
| 1989 | The Hired Gun | Wounded Man | Flop | Similar → |
| 1988 | Terminal Entry | Stewart | Flop | Similar → |
| 1988 | Death Chase | Steele | Flop | Similar → |
| 1988 | Outlaw Force | Inspector Wainright | Flop | Similar → |
| 1987 | Gor | Serbus | Flop | Similar → |
| 1986 | Haunted Honeymoon | Dr. Paul Abbot | Flop | Similar → |
| 1985 | Sno-Line | Duval | Flop | Similar → |
| 1985 | The Protector | Mr. Booar (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1985 | Crimewave | Faron Crush | Average | Similar → |
| 1985 | Red Sonja | Falkon | Flop | Similar → |
| 1984 | Dune | The Beast Rabban | Average | Similar → |
| 1984 | Operation Shtreimel | - | Flop | Similar → |
| 1984 | Jungle Warriors | Cesar Santiago | Flop | Similar → |
| 1982 | Pieces | Willard | Average | Similar → |
| 1982 | When I Am King | Sir Blackstone Hardtack | Flop | Similar → |
| 1981 | The Salamander | The Surgeon | Flop | Similar → |
| 1980 | Popeye | Bluto | Average | Similar → |
| 1979 | Going in Style | Radio Announcer | Hit | Similar → |
| 1979 | Disaster on the Coastliner | Jim Waterman / Victor Prescott | Flop | Similar → |
| 1979 | The In-Laws | Mo | Hit | Similar → |
| 1978 | Midnight Express | Hamidou | Hit | Similar → |
| 1977 | The Three Hostages | David Warcliff (as Saul Eden Smith) | Flop | Similar → |
| 1977 | Return of the Tiger | Paul the Westerner | Average | Similar → |
| 1976 | 21 Hours at Munich | Guttfruend | Average | Similar → |
| 1976 | The Diamond Peddlers | Matteo / Butch | Average | Similar → |
| 1975 | We Are No Angels | Raphael McDonald | Average | Similar → |
| 1975 | Convoy Buddies | Butch | Average | Similar → |
| 1975 | Conspiracy of Terror | Pound Supervisor | Average | Similar → |
| 1975 | Carambola's Philosophy: In the Right Pocket | Len | Average | Similar → |
| 1974 | Alcohol: The Choice | - | Flop | Similar → |
| 1974 | Carambola! | Len | Flop | Similar → |
| 1973 | Gospel Road: A Story of Jesus | Peter | Average | Similar → |
| 1973 | They Call Me Shmil | Shmiel | Flop | Similar → |
| 1972 | Nahtche and the General | - | Flop | Similar → |
| 1971 | Fishke Bemilu'im | שמיל | Average | Similar → |
| 1970 | Madron | Gabe Price (uncredited) | Flop | Similar → |
Paul L. Smith - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of Paul L. Smith?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Paul L. Smith is "Midnight Express" with a rating of 7.4/10.
How many movies has Paul L. Smith acted in?
Paul L. Smith has been featured in at least 47 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by Paul L. Smith?
Other notable films include "Crazy Camera", "Maverick", and "Going in Style".