Bill Smitrovich

Biography

Bill Smitrovich, born Stanley William Zmitrowicz Jr. on May 16, 1947, in Bridgeport, Connecticut, is an American actor who has built a long and steady career in both film and television. The son of a tool and die maker of Polish descent, he graduated from the University of Bridgeport in 1972 and later earned an MFA from Smith College in 1976. He is best known as a dependable supporting performer, often cast in roles of authority such as police officers, soldiers, prosecutors and senior government figures.

His first prominent television role came in the 1980s with the series Crime Story, where he played Detective Sergeant Danny Krychek. He then starred in the drama series Life Goes On (1989-1993) and appeared as the lead guest star in the pilot of Miami Vice. In the following decades he worked steadily on high-profile shows, including The Practice, where he played Assistant District Attorney Kenneth Walsh, Without a Trace, with a recurring role as Chief Alex Olcyk, and A Nero Wolfe Mystery, as Inspector Cramer. In 2010 he starred in the NBC series The Event as Vice President Raymond Jarvis. He has also made many guest appearances on television, including episodes of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, 24 and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.

On film, his credits range widely. He appeared in the Stephen King adaptation Silver Bullet (1985) and the comedy Splash (1984), and he has worked on large-scale productions such as Independence Day (1996) and Air Force One (1997). His role in Thirteen Days (2000) places him among the actors who have portrayed American government figures in historical drama. He also appears in the Marvel film Iron Man (2008), and later in the comedies Ted (2012) and Ted 2 (2015). His filmography reflects a preference for strong supporting work over leading roles.

His legacy is that of a reliable character actor with a constant presence in American television and mainstream cinema over several decades. The sources consulted give little detail on his current professional activity beyond his most recent credits.

Key films

• Iron Man (2008): a supporting role in the Marvel superhero film.
• Independence Day (1996): part of the cast of this large-scale science fiction disaster film.
• Air Force One (1997): appears in the political thriller starring Harrison Ford.
• Thirteen Days (2000): portrays a US government figure during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
• Ted (2012): appears in Seth MacFarlane's comedy about an animated teddy bear.
• Silver Bullet (1985): in the Stephen King adaptation about a werewolf, in a supporting part.