RIP Tribute to 91-Year-Old Stunt Legend & Olympic Gold Medalist Dean Smith! Memorial! American Hero

Cowboy movie legend and treasured friend to all who met him, Dean Smith left a legacy of memories for his family, friends, and fans. After a long battle with cancer, Dean (Jan 15, 1932 – June 24, 2023) died peacefully at home in Graham, Texas, with his wife, Debbie and son, Finis. He was 91 years old.

A Gold Medalist for his exceptional speed, winning the 400-meter relay with his team at the 1952 Helsinki Olympic Games, Dean’s dream was to be a Hollywood cowboy like his heroes Gene Autry and Roy Rogers. His dreams came through…and then some! Not only was Dean one of the most successful and respected stuntmen in Hollywood, but he also got a chance to double Roy in an episode of THE FALL GUY starring Lee Majors.

The King of the Cowboys wasn’t the only movie hero blessed by Dean’s athletic prowess, others were John Wayne, Richard Boone, Bruce Boxleitner, and his longtime friend, Dale Robertson who he doubled in countless episodes of THE TALES OF WELLS FARGO. Dean’s work as an actor included the films EL DORADO, BIG JAKE, RIO LOBO and ULZANA’S RAID. On TV, Dean acted on HAVE GUN, WILL TRAVEL, THE QUEST, CIMARRON STRIP, IRON HORSE, THE LONER, THE VIRGINIAN, and with his friend James Garner in BRET MAVERICK.

In addition to his Gold Medal, Dean is the recipient of numerous other awards and honors, including the Texas Rodeo Hall of Fame, Stuntman’s Hall of Fame, Golden Boot Award, Ben Johnson Award, and the All-American Cowboy Award. Dean also ran the Dean Smith Celebrity Rodeo for several years, benefiting the Cowboy Cancer Crusade and the John Wayne Cancer Institute.

In July 2023, a group of friends and co-workers gathered at The Autry Museum to reminisce about Dean and share fond memories of him for this special episode of A WORD ON WESTERNS. Guests for the episode include actor Bruce Davison, John Wayne’s granddaughter Anita La Cava Swift, stuntman and coordinator Diamond Farnsworth, historian and Wild West performer Phil Spangenberger, and actor Bruce Boxleitner, who was doubled by Dean in the series HOW THE WEST WAS WON. This tribute also features clips from Dean’s guest appearance on July 16, 2014.

We hold deep appreciation for Dean and his work, and extend our heartfelt condolences to his friends and family.

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