J.W. Smith

Personal Informations

Known for Department
Acting
Known appearances
26
Gender
Male
J.W. Smith

J.W. Smith

J.W. Smith is a producer and actor with more than 40 years of entertainment experience in motion pictures and television. J.W. grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, where he began his acting career at The Karamu House Community Theater. In the early 1970s, J.W. moved to New York City where he became a student in Uta Hagen's acting class at HB Studio and at The Henry Street Playhouse. During his stint in New York City, J.W. met and became close friends with Morgan Freeman and Bill Duke. More than four decades later, J.W. remains close friends with both Morgan and Bill, often collaborating on scripts and potential projects.

J.W. spent several successful years performing on Broadway and Off Broadway in plays including, "We Interrupt This Program," Public Theater's production of "On the Goddam Lock-in," and "So Nice, They Named It Twice." In addition to acting, J.W. produced shows in and around New York City for the Amas Repertory Theater Company.

In the early 1980s, J.W. moved to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career in film and television where he immediately landed his first job in television on "Palmerstown, U.S.A." He was selected to be a part of Paramount Pictures Associate Producers Training Program, working on several ground-breaking series for television including, "The Best of The West," "Taxi," and "Cheers." J.W. has also appeared in numerous television shows including, "L.A. Law," "Cagney and Lacey," "Reno 911," "The X-Files," and "Hill Street Blues."

Showing his range and depth of talent, J.W. has appeared in many popular feature films including, "Red Heat" (starring Arnold Schwarzenegger), "Johnny Handsome" (starring Mickey Rourke, Ellen Barkin, and Morgan Freeman), "Undisputed" (starring Wesley Snipes and Ving Rhames), "Beetlejuice" (starring Michael Keaton), "Hoodlum" (starring Laurence Fishburne, Tim Roth, and directed by Bill Duke), "The Warriors" (cult classic directed by Walter Hill), to name a few.

J.W. is President of 3000 Realms Entertainment, a production company he co-founded with friend and business partner, Bryan Behuniak. J.W.'s project in development with 3000 Realms Entertainment is "Dead Wrong," executive produced by Morgan Freeman, with producers Bryan Behuniak, James Dyer, and writer Matt Benjamin.

Known for

Acting

2017
Created Equal
  —
Apartment Manager
2004
Listen Up!
  —
Construction Worker #2
2002
Undisputed
  —
Mess Guard
2000
Spanish Judges
  —
Red
1998
Driven
  —
Angry Man
1997
Hoodlum
  —
Calvin
1995
Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child
  —
Doorman / Factory Worker (voice)
1993
The X-Files
  —
Steve
1990
False Identity
  —
Willi
1989
Johnny Handsome
  —
Larry
L.A. Takedown
  —
Witness Talking to Hanna
Tales from the Crypt
  —
Ledbetter
K-9
  —
Pimp
Quantum Leap
  —
Eddie Davies
1988
Red Heat
  —
Salim
1987
Outrageous Fortune
  —
Dealer #1
1986
Let's Get Harry
  —
Mercenary
1985
The Atlanta Child Murders
  —
Nathaniel Carter
1984
Attack on Fear
  —
Synanon Man
Airwolf
  —
Roach
1983
Imps*
  —
Receiver
1979
The Warriors
  —
Turnbull A.C.
  • Search films or series by people
  • This site uses cookies to improve the service provided, particularly on the "My series" page. By clicking on the "I accept" button you authorize their use.