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 Name
Ian Smith
Died
November 20, 2007, Cape Town, South Africa
Profession
Politician, Agriculturist, Fighter pilot
Family
Spouse
Tristé Smith
Children
Alec Smith
Parents
Agnes Smith, John Douglas Smith
Accomplishments
Nominations
Gold Logie Award for Best Personality on Australian Television, Logie Award for Best Actor
Movies
Body Melt, A Wild Ass of a Man, Auntie, Albert
TV Shows
Larry King Live, Celebrity Fit Club, The View, Anderson Cooper 360°, The Tyra Banks Show, Meet the Faith, The 50 Million Pound Challenge
Playing 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.
2
Back 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
1
Reg 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.
2
Was 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.
3
Found out, at the age of 54, that he was adopted.
4
Although 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.
5
The longest-serving member of the Neighbours (1985) cast, having played Harold Bishop since episode 415 in 1987.
Movies
Actor
Title
Year
Status
Character
Albert
2015/IV
Short completed
Albert
Comedy Showroom: Moonman
2016
TV Short
Ian
Neighbours
1987-2015
TV Series
Harold Bishop
Grandad
2013/II
Short
Grandad
It's a Date
2013
TV Series
Don
Underbelly
2010
TV Series
Ken Wallis
The Jesus Spoon
2009
Short
Buck Senior
The Last of the Ryans
1997
TV Movie
Sir Arthur Rylah
The Genie from Down Under
1996
TV Series
Race Judge
Blue Heelers
1994
TV Series
Clive Burton
Body Melt
1993
Dr. Carrera
Time Trax
1993
TV Series
Max Shepparton
Prisoner
1979-1984
TV Series
Ted Douglas / Rev. Potter
I Can Jump Puddles
1981
TV Series
Mr. Slade
Young Ramsay
1980
TV Series
Doctor
A Wild Ass of a Man
1980
TV Movie
Dando
Skyways
1979
TV Series
Col. Garner
Chopper Squad
1978
TV Series
Band: Chalice
Glenview High
1977
TV Series
Rocky
Bellbird
1977
TV Series
Russell
Bluey
1977
TV Series
Sen. Det. Davidson
Power Without Glory
1976
TV Series
Dwyer
Quality of Mercy
1975
TV Series
Matlock Police
1971-1975
TV Series
Berry / Larry Fisher / Estate Agent / ...
Ryan
1974
TV Series
Division 4
1971-1974
TV Series
Mike Chapman / Stanley / Jackson / ...
Alpha Scorpio
1974
TV Mini-Series
Homicide
1966-1972
TV Series
Johnny Reid / Joe Baxter / Michael Edmunds / ...
Detective
1969
TV Series
Dick Spencer
Writer
Title
Year
Status
Character
Neighbours
1987-1990
TV Series written by - 9 episodes
Prisoner
TV Series script editor - 269 episodes, 1980 - 1986 writer - 51 episodes, 1982 - 1986