Dean Smith, Olympic Athlete Turned Hollywood Stuntman, Dead at 91

Dean Smith, a former Olympic gold medalist who became a top Hollywood stuntman, died at 91 on Saturday, June 24.

Smith's friend Rob Word confirmed that the award-winning sprinter had died at his home in Breckenridge, Texas.

Dean Smith Dead at 91

The entertainment and sports industry bids farewell to a true legend. As per The Hollywood Reporter, Smith, the remarkable athlete who transitioned from Olympic glory to becoming one of Hollywood's most renowned stuntmen, passed away at 91.

Smith's captivating journey began on the Olympic stage, where he mesmerized the world with his athletic prowess. During his stint at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics, he won a gold medal for his sprinting talent.

During his younger years, Smith dabbled in sports and watched movies on weekends. He would watch movies starring cowboy stars like Monte Hale and Gene Autry.

While he attended the University of Texas, Smith ran the track and played football. In the 1952 Summer Olympics in Finland, the sprinter brought home a gold medal for the 400-meter relay. He also finished fourth in his rodeo in the 100-meter dash.

Dean Smith Cause of Death

Smith's friend Rob Word confirmed to the Hollywood Reporter that the Olympic medal sprinter turned Hollywood stuntman battled with cancer before facing his untimely death. Smith was known for his daredevil stunts. He was also a skilled horseman and often performed stunts involving horses.

After this, he entered Hollywood's glitz and glamor world as a stuntman in several films. To be more precise, according to Variety, Smith graced various Oscar-winning films, such as "How the West Was Won" and "True Grit." He also appeared in other blockbuster movies, including "El Dorado," "Rio Lobo," and "The Quick and the Dead."

Smith also surfaced in a total of seven Paul Newman films. The Hollywood Reporter notes that it includes "The Towering Inferno," "The Sting," "The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean," and so on.

Besides showing up in multiple movies, Smith also appeared as a stuntman in TV series like "Maverick," "Law Man," and "Walker, Texas Ranger." WSOCtv notes that his other shows are "Tales of Wells Fargo," "The Outer Limits," "Gunsmoke," and "Law Man."

Smith's legacy will live on in the films he worked on and the stunts he performed, not to mention the medals he brought home during the 1952 Olympics, wherein he showcased his talent in sprinting to the world.