Albert J. Smith was an American actor who is best known for his roles in Westerns and serials like “The Terror Trail,” “Prairie Thunder,” and “Dynamite Ranch.” Born on February 15, 1894, in Chicago, Illinois, he stood at 5 feet 5 inches, often playing the sneering villain in the silent film era.
Personal and Family Life
Details about Albert J. Smith’s personal life are limited, but he was known to have a challenging personality off-screen. There is no extensive public record of his family life or relationships, which is common for many actors of that time. He was recognized for his physical presence as a smaller-statured actor who often played the antagonist.
Career
Smith’s acting career spanned from 1921 to 1937, during which he appeared in numerous Westerns and serials. His most notable performance was in the 18-chapter serial “The Terror Trail.” He often portrayed villains, sheriffs, or deputies, becoming a staple in B-movie Westerns.
Death and Legacy
Albert J. Smith passed away on April 11, 1939, in Hollywood, California. Although he did not achieve the fame of major stars, his memorable roles in Westerns contributed to the genre’s development during the silent film era. His performances continue to be recognized by film historians and classic movie enthusiasts.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Prairie Thunder | 1937-09-10 | Lynch |
| The Last Mile | 1932-08-17 | Drake, Guard |
| The Telegraph Trail | 1933-03-18 | Gus Lynch |
| The Gold Racket | 1937-04-10 | Fraser |
| Dynamite Ranch | 1932-07-07 | Henchman Red |
| Shadow Ranch | 1930-09-27 | Dan Blake |
| Honor of the Range | 1934-04-15 | Henchman Smoky |
| Between Fighting Men | 1932-10-15 | Butch Martin |
| Sutter’s Gold | 1936-03-01 | Man |
| Forbidden Trail | 1932-11-18 | Burke |
| The Thrill Hunter | 1933-04-30 | Sheriff |
| Blue Wing’s Revenge | 1924-06-21 | The Post Commandant |
| Barriers of the Law | 1925-03-26 | Aide to Redding |
| Outlawed | 1929-01-21 | Dervish (as Al Smith) |
| Hard Fists | 1927-04-24 | Charles Crane |
| The Sunset Trail | 1924-11-02 | Dick Fenlow |
| The Drifter | 1929-03-18 | Pete Lawson (as Al Smith) |
| Shakedown | 1936-07-17 | Cop |
| Man Trackers | 1921-07-08 | Hanley |
| Whispering Sage | 1927-03-20 | Ed Fallows |
| The Call of the Wilderness | 1926-12-05 | Red Morgan (as Al Smith) |
| Taming the West | 1925-03-01 | Lafe Conners |
| Prescott Kid | 1934-11-08 | Frazier |
| The Scarlet Streak | 1925-12-20 | Count ‘K’ (as Al Smith) |
| The Circus Cyclone | 1925-10-04 | Steve Brant |
| The Western Rover | 1927-06-05 | Bud Barstry |
| Hills of Peril | 1927-05-01 | Rand |
| Branded | 1931-09-01 | Joe Moore |
| Hello Trouble | 1932-07-15 | Jim Vaughn |
| Border Devils | 1932-04-03 | Inspector Bell |
| Wolf Tracks | 1923-04-01 | ‘Wolf’ Santell |
| Perils of the Jungle | 1927-07-01 | Brute Hanley |
| Straight Through | 1925-04-05 | Granger |
| The Burning Trail | 1925-05-10 | Texas |
| The Meddler | 1925-06-28 | Bud Meyers |
| The Strings of Steel | 1926-06-28 | Peter Allen |
| In the Days of Daniel Boone | 1923-06-25 | Captain Charles Redmond |
| Overland Bound | 1929-11-23 | Keno Creager |