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.
Career Statistics & Market Influence
Analyzing the cinematic journey of Paul L. Smith reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 47 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.
Genre Dominance: Action
The majority of Paul L. Smith's filmography leans towards the Action genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.
The "Box Office" Signature
With a 11% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Paul L. Smith remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in Midnight Express, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.
Best Paul L. Smith Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Paul L. Smith's career based on audience ratings.
Complete Filmography & Success Status
Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Paul L. Smith.
| 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 | Super 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 7.5/10.
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".