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Paul L. Smith

Paul L. Smith

Actor, also producer · Died April 25, 2012, aged 73 · Everett, Massachusetts, USA

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.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
February 5, 1939
Died
April 25, 2012 (aged 73)
From
Everett, Massachusetts, USA
Works as
Actor, also producer
Titles
30 on MovieCove · 55 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 64 days to Oct 27Up 20% in 30 days

What are Paul L. Smith's films like?

Across their 21 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Bonds.

Genres

Action13 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 18th percentile
: browse their Action movies
Comedy3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 29th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Morality
23%
Bonds
21%
Self
20%
Survival
19%
Power
12%
Society
3%
Ideas
1%
Justice7 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival6 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds5 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity3 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth3 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship3 titles, browse their movies with this themePower2 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 21 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 10 · Serious 7 · Dark 4

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 10 · Stylized 5 · Heightened 6

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 2 · Charged 11 · Intense 8

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 4 · Shifting 10 · Whiplash 7

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 9 · Some laughs 5 · Funny 7

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 5 · Even-paced 13 · Relentless 3

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 15 · Engaged 5 · Full focus 1

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 20 · Open-ended 1 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

12 analyzed roles

Usually the Shadow: 7 of 12 analyzed roles.

Shadow
7 of 12
Ally
1 of 12
Hero
1 of 12
Trickster
1 of 12
Mentor
1 of 12
Threshold guardian
1 of 12
Show the 12 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
14
Thrilling
8
Absurd
8
Joyful
7
Dread
4
Other
13

How their films linger

Fun17 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteRousing4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 6 with a twist

  • Happy13
  • Bittersweet4
  • Ambiguous4

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Paul L. Smith's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 21 of their 30 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (13).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Paul L. Smith's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

55 credits, 30 with a MovieCove page.

  • Eric Falk: Sunshine-Judo auf Ibiza (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as (archive footage)

  • D.R.E.A.M. Team(1999)

    as Vladimir Corzon (as Paul Smith)

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films

  • Maverick(1994)

    as The Archduke

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • Desert Kickboxer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    as Santos

  • Eye of the Widow(1991)

    as Elko

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • Crossing the Line(1990)

    as Joe Kapinski

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films

  • Caged Fury(1990)

    Associate Producer · as Head Guard

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films

  • Ten Little Indians (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as Elmo Rodgers

  • Sonny Boy(1989)

    as Slue

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all films

  • Crazy Camera (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Actor

  • The Hired Gun (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as Wounded Man

  • You're Famous (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Actor

  • Death Chase (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    as Steele

  • Outlaw Force (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    as Inspector Wainright

  • Terminal Entry (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    as Stewart

  • Gor(1987)

    as Serbus

    Midcredits score: 2nd percentile of all films

  • Haunted Honeymoon(1986)

    as Dr. Paul Abbot

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • Sno-Line (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Duval

  • The Protector(1985)

    as Mr. Booar (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • Crimewave(1985)

    as Faron Crush

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • Red Sonja(1985)

    as Falkon

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all films

  • Dune(1984)

    as The Beast Rabban

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • Operation Shtreimel (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Actor

  • Jungle Warriors(1984)

    as Cesar Santiago

    Midcredits score: 8th percentile of all films

  • Pieces(1982)

    as Willard

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • When I Am King (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    as Sir Blackstone Hardtack

  • The Salamander(1981)

    as The Surgeon

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all films

  • Masada (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Show 4 episodes · as Gideon

  • Popeye(1980)

    as Bluto

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • Going in Style(1979)

    as Radio Announcer

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • Disaster on the Coastliner(1979)

    as Jim Waterman / Victor Prescott

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • The In-Laws(1979)

    as Mo

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • Midnight Express(1978)

    as Hamidou

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all films

  • The Three Hostages (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    as David Warcliff (as Saul Eden Smith)

  • CHiPs(1977)

    Show 1 episode · as Announcer

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all shows

  • Return of the Tiger(1977)

    as Paul the Westerner

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • 21 Hours at Munich(1976)

    as Guttfruend

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • The Diamond Peddlers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    as Matteo / Butch

  • Wonder Woman(1975)

    Show 1 episode · as Simon Rohan

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all shows

  • We Are No Angels(1975)

    as Raphael McDonald

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Convoy Buddies(1975)

    as Butch

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • Conspiracy of Terror (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    as Pound Supervisor

  • Barney Miller(1975)

    Show 1 episode · as Leon Stipanich (as Paul Lawrence Smith)

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • Carambola's Philosophy: In the Right Pocket (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    as Len

  • Alcohol: The Choice (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Actor

  • Carambola! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    as Len

  • Gospel Road: A Story of Jesus (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    as Peter

  • They Call Me Shmil (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    as Shmiel

  • Tel Aviv Call Girls (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Director

  • Nahtche and the General (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Actor

  • Emergency!(1972)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all shows

  • Fishke Bemilu'im (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    as שמיל

  • Madron(1970)

    as Gabe Price (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all films

  • Love, American Style (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Hawaii Five-O(1968)

    Show 2 episodes · as Andy Kamoku

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all shows

Career shape

Star power in the 94th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 55 titles from 1968 to 2014; peak year 1985.

Biggest box office

Maverick (1994)

$183M worldwide

Highest rated

Midnight Express (1978)

Midcredits 91st

Film career

19682014

Peak 1985 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting54 of 55: 53 only acting, 1 with another role · typical Midcredits score33rdDirecting1 of 55: 1 only directing, 0 with another roleProducing1 of 55: 0 only producing, 1 with another role

By decade

1960s2 · acting1970s24 · 23 acting · 1 crew1980s22 · acting1990s6 · 6 acting · 1 crew2010s1 · acting

Billing

usually 7th · top billed in 0% of 13 roles
7883

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Paul L. Smith's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 32nd percentile, the median of all 25; across their 21 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 34th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

34thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 21

Approval · how many liked their films

24thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 21

Reach · how many have seen their films

58thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 21

Midcredits score across 30 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up6
  • 50th to 74th5
  • 25th to 49th11
  • Below 25th8

Shape of the crowd

17 of their 30 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved3
  • Universally Panned1
  • Crowd Pleaser7
  • Broadly Agreed2
  • Mixed17

Most divisive · actor

D.R.E.A.M. Team (1999)

88th percentile spread · 48% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Midnight Express (1978)

Midcredits 91st · 80% liked

Reviewers score the acting 55/100 in their films, across 19 reviewed titles; fans 67, detractors 38. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Paul L. Smith's work okay for kids?

Across up to 9 MovieCove titles with content scores, violence & gore runs heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore5 titles42–87 · median 59 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity9 titles10–68 · median 31 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity6 titles18–72 · median 41 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs5 titles15–65 · median 39 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense5 titles30–83 · median 41 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Paul L. Smith work with?

People who share at least 2 of Paul L. Smith's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Aharon Ipalé shares the most, 2.

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers