Actor
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.
Notable work
8.4The X-Files (1993)
as Steve
7.7The Warriors (1979)
as Turnbull A.C.
6.2Red Heat (1988)
as Salim
7.1Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood (1996)
as Detective Cliche
6.2K-9 (1989)
as Pimp
8Tales from the Crypt (1989)
as Ledbetter (segment "The Man Who Was Death")
6.5Undisputed (2002)
as Mess Guard
8Quantum Leap (1989)
as Eddie Davies
7.6Airwolf (1984)
as Roach
7.3Crossroads (1986)
as Man at Auto Wrecking Yard
6.7Family Matters (1989)
as Jake
6.4Johnny Handsome (1989)
as Larry
Often works with
Full filmography · 34
Created Equal
as Apartment Manager
2017
Undisputed
as Mess Guard
20026.5
Spanish Judges
as Red
2000
Driven
as Angry Man
1998
Hoodlum
as Calvin
19976.5
Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood
as Detective Cliche
19967.1
Bloodfist III: Forced to Fight
as Sporty Black
19924.8
False Identity
as Willi
1990
Johnny Handsome
as Larry
19896.4
L.A. Takedown
as Witness Talking to Hanna
19895.5
K-9
as Pimp
19896.2
Red Heat
as Salim
19886.2