Known for movies

Short Info

DiedNovember 20, 2007, Cape Town, South Africa
SpouseTristé Smith
FactFound out, at the age of 54, that he was adopted.


Ian Smith was born in Rhodesia in 1919. His parents were British settlers who had moved to the country in the late 19th century. Smith was educated at Rhodesia’s top schools, including Rhodes University. He excelled at sports, particularly cricket, and was captain of the Rhodesian national cricket team.

Smith’s political career began in the 1940s, when he was elected to the Rhodesian Parliament. He quickly rose through the ranks of the ruling Rhodesian Front party, and in 1964 he became Prime Minister of Rhodesia.

As Prime Minister, Smith led Rhodesia through a period of intense international pressure and economic sanctions. He also oversaw the country’s Unilateral Declaration of Independence from Britain in 1965.

In the 1970s and 1980s, Smith remained active in politics, serving as a member of Parliament and leader of the opposition. He also wrote several books, including his autobiography, The Great Betrayal.

Smith died in 2007, at the age of 88. His legacy is complex, and he remains a controversial figure in Zimbabwean history.

General Info

Full NameIan Smith
DiedNovember 20, 2007, Cape Town, South Africa
ProfessionPolitician, Agriculturist, Fighter pilot

Family

SpouseTristé Smith
ChildrenAlec Smith
ParentsAgnes Smith, John Douglas Smith

Accomplishments

NominationsGold Logie Award for Best Personality on Australian Television, Logie Award for Best Actor
MoviesBody Melt, A Wild Ass of a Man, Auntie, Albert
TV ShowsLarry King Live, Celebrity Fit Club, The View, Anderson Cooper 360°, The Tyra Banks Show, Meet the Faith, The 50 Million Pound Challenge

Social profile links

Quotes

#Quote
1Playing against the character was always good for Harold [Bishop]. I've always said use what you've got. If you've got a face that wobbles around a bit, use it get a laugh. People are always trying to be what they're not, but if I'm fat and a bit funny to look at when I do things like that, OK let's get a laugh, let's make it work.
2Back in the days of Bellbird (1967) it was a great school for young actors. It was a school for experienced stage actors as well. These days if a kid looks OK they get the job. We find out if they can act later. Learning how to teach the kids is very important.

Facts

#Fact
1Reg Watson offered Ian the chance to work on Neighbours (1985) on the day that Smith and his colleagues taped the final edition of Prisoner (1979) - Watson being the creator of both series. 30 years to the day of the Wentworth drama's first edition, Ian's final Ramsay Street appearance was transmitted by Network Ten.
2Was in the audience watching a performance of Little Britain live when they toured Australia. During the show Vicki Pollard (played by Matt Lucas, who much like David Walliams had no idea Ian was in the audience) said she went to Ramsey Street and got fingered by Ian Smith's character, Harold Bishop.
3Found out, at the age of 54, that he was adopted.
4Although Ian Smith is now the longest serving actor on the Australian TV show "Neighbours", he has not played the character of Harold Bishop continuously. Ian originally played the character from 1987-1991, then left the show for 5 years before returning to play the character again in 1996.
5The longest-serving member of the Neighbours (1985) cast, having played Harold Bishop since episode 415 in 1987.

Movies

Actor

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Albert2015/IVShort completedAlbert
Comedy Showroom: Moonman2016TV ShortIan
Neighbours1987-2015TV SeriesHarold Bishop
Grandad2013/IIShortGrandad
It's a Date2013TV SeriesDon
Underbelly2010TV SeriesKen Wallis
The Jesus Spoon2009ShortBuck Senior
The Last of the Ryans1997TV MovieSir Arthur Rylah
The Genie from Down Under1996TV SeriesRace Judge
Blue Heelers1994TV SeriesClive Burton
Body Melt1993Dr. Carrera
Time Trax1993TV SeriesMax Shepparton
Prisoner1979-1984TV SeriesTed Douglas / Rev. Potter
I Can Jump Puddles1981TV SeriesMr. Slade
Young Ramsay1980TV SeriesDoctor
A Wild Ass of a Man1980TV MovieDando
Skyways1979TV SeriesCol. Garner
Chopper Squad1978TV SeriesBand: Chalice
Glenview High1977TV SeriesRocky
Bellbird1977TV SeriesRussell
Bluey1977TV SeriesSen. Det. Davidson
Power Without Glory1976TV SeriesDwyer
Quality of Mercy1975TV Series
Matlock Police1971-1975TV SeriesBerry / Larry Fisher / Estate Agent / ...
Ryan1974TV Series
Division 41971-1974TV SeriesMike Chapman / Stanley / Jackson / ...
Alpha Scorpio1974TV Mini-Series
Homicide1966-1972TV SeriesJohnny Reid / Joe Baxter / Michael Edmunds / ...
Detective1969TV SeriesDick Spencer

Writer

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Neighbours1987-1990TV Series written by - 9 episodes
PrisonerTV Series script editor - 269 episodes, 1980 - 1986 writer - 51 episodes, 1982 - 1986

Producer

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Prisoner1983-1986TV Series associate producer - 310 episodes

Miscellaneous

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Prisoner1980-1985TV Series script editor - 4 episodes

Thanks

TitleYearStatusCharacter
'Little Britain' Down Under2007TV Movie documentary thank you - as Harold Bishop

Self

TitleYearStatusCharacter
The Last Leg2016TV SeriesHimself
Neighbours 30th: The Stars Reunite2015TV Movie documentaryHimself / Harold Bishop
Australian Story2005-2014TV Series documentaryHimself
Dirty Laundry Live2013TV SeriesHimself
I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here!2011TV SeriesHimself - Game Show Host
I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here! NOW!2011TV SeriesHimself
OK! TV2011TV Series documentaryHimself
The Wright Stuff2008-2011TV SeriesHimself - Guest Panelist
Loose Women2008-2011TV SeriesHimself
Remembering Nigel2009Himself
Talkin' 'Bout Your Generation2009TV SeriesHimself
The 51st Annual TV Week Logie Awards2009TV SpecialHimself
'Neighbours' on Five2008TV Movie documentaryHimself
'Little Britain' Down Under2007TV Movie documentaryHimself
Saturday Night Darren and Brose2004TV SeriesHimself
It Shouldn't Happen to a... Soapstar2002TV Movie documentaryHimself
The Big Breakfast2001TV SeriesHimself
I Love 1980's2001TV Series documentaryHimself
Neighbours Revealed2000TV Series documentaryHimself
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno1998-1999TV SeriesHimself
Noel's House Party1992TV SeriesHimself
That's Showbusiness1991TV Series
Pebble Mill at One1991TV SeriesHimself
Going Live!1991TV SeriesHimself
Happy Birthday, Coronation Street!1990TV MovieHimself
Jameson Tonight1990TV SeriesHimself (1990)
Blankety Blank1989TV SeriesHimself
The Royal Variety Performance 19881988TV SpecialHimself

Archive Footage

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Gogglebox2015TV SeriesHarold Bishop
Neighbours1988-2014TV SeriesHarold Bishop
This Morning2010TV SeriesHarold Bishop
30 Years of 'An Audience With...'2010TV Series documentaryHimself - Audience Member
Sex, Lies & Soaps2006TV Mini-Series documentaryHarold Bishop
Neighbours: A 10th Anniversary Celebration1995Video documentaryHarold Bishop

Awards

Nominated Awards

YearAwardCeremonyNominationMovie
2009Gold LogieLogie AwardsMost notably for Neighbours
2009Silver LogieLogie AwardsMost Popular ActorNeighbours (1985)

Source: IMDb, Wikipedia

Write A Comment

Pin It