Ian Smith (actor)

Ian Smith (born 19 June 1938) is an Australian former actor, television producer and screenwriter.

Smith is best known for his television roles most especially his lengthy tenure on serial ''Neighbours'' as Harold Bishop from 1987 until 1991, he returned as a regular again in 1996 and left in 2009, though has returned in guest parts in 2011, 2015, 2022, 2023 and 2024-2025 respectively.

Previously, Smith had appeared on the cult series ''Prisoner'' in the recurring roles as Head of the Corrections Department, Ted Douglas. Smith also worked on that series as an executive producer and screenwriter.

In 2023 Smith stated he would make some guest appearances in the relaunch of ''Neighbours'', but also said he was happy to call it a day. However in 2024 he returned to the role.
On 2 December 2024, it was announced that Smith would depart ''Neighbours'' again after he revealed that he was diagnosed with terminal cancer.

Career

Early career

Smith started appearing in television roles in the late 1960s in guest roles in drama series for Crawford Productions, in police dramas ''Homicide'', ''Division 4'', ''Matlock Police'' and '' Bluey''.

After having appeared in numerous guest parts, he got his major break gaining a regular role in television serial '' Bellbird''; after this he made a guest appearance in serial '' The Box'' in 1975.

''Prisoner''

Smith had guest roles in the Grundy Production series ''Glenview High'' and '' Chopper Squad''. He worked concurrently behind the scenes with Grundy's as the associate producer and script editor of cult serial ''Prisoner'', but also had a semi-regular role in the series as head of the Corrections Department, Ted Douglas.

Smith was not scheduled to play Ted Douglas, but the actor who had been contracted for the role did not show up on the day of filming and, given his acting experience, the crew said Smith should change hats and get in front of the camera.

''Neighbours''

Smith became famous through his portrayal of bumbling Harold Bishop in the soap opera ''Neighbours'' from 1987 to 1991, returning in 1996. He switched to recurring status from 2008 to 2009, becoming one of the program's longest-serving characters after 2,132 episodes. For his portrayal of Harold, Smith received a nomination for a Gold Logie Award in 2009. In 1989, while he and co-star Anne Charleston were appearing in pantomime in the UK, they recorded the Christmas song " Old Fashioned Christmas".

In December 2010, Ryan Moloney revealed to ''TV Week'' that Smith would be returning to ''Neighbours'' in 2011. Smith appeared for six weeks from May 2011. Smith returned to ''Neighbours'' in 2015, with former co-star Anne Charleston for the 30th anniversary. He also appeared in a documentary celebrating the anniversary titled '' Neighbours 30th: The Stars Reunite'', which aired in Australia and the UK in March 2015.

In April 2018, Smith admitted that he should have left ''Neighbours'' sooner and admits he felt typecast. Smith admitted "he wasn't aware he was becoming 'Harold from ''Neighbours'' while he was on the show" and joked that when he auditioned for other roles he would be told "Oh you were in ''Neighbours'', you were Harold, you couldn't possibly be a murdering paedophile".

In February 2022, Laura-Jayne Tyler of '' Inside Soap'' reported that Smith would be reprising his role to play a part in the show's finale. Smith has filmed a part in an upcoming film titled ''Residence'', playing Mike the Thaumaturge.

On 2 December 2024, it was announced that Smith would depart ''Neighbours'' after he was diagnosed with terminal cancer, with executive producer Jason Herbison saying that they would write the character out. Charleston returned for Smith's last ''Neighbours'' appearance but as a new character.

''I'm a Celebrity''

Smith featured in Series 11 of '' I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!'' to set the camp-mates challenges. He did not join the camp-mates.

Theatre

Smith has also worked in theatre since the late 1950s, including for companies J. C. Williamson's, Tivoli and Melbourne Theatre Company, in roles in productions '' Merry Widow'', ''Camelot'', ''My Fair Lady'', ''Fiddler on the Roof'', ''Antony and Cleopatra''.

Personal life

Although Smith was brought up as a Roman Catholic, in a 2008 interview, he was an atheist.

On 2 December 2024, Smith announced that he had been diagnosed with terminal lung cancer, resulting in his final departure from ''Neighbours'' in early 2025. On 30 December 2024, Smith gave an update to his condition confirming that his tumour had shrunk in size and was still undergoing treatment.

Smith publicly endorsed independent MP Zoe Daniel in the electorate of Goldstein at the 2025 Australian federal election.

Filmography

Film

Television

Other appearances

Theatre

* '' Merry Widow''
* ''Camelot''
* ''My Fair Lady''
* ''Fiddler on the Roof''
* ''Antony and Cleopatra''.

References

External links

*

Ian Smith as Harold Bishop

Ian Smith in Panto at Grand Opera House York

{{DEFAULTSORT:Smith, Ian
Male actors from Melbourne
Australian adoptees
Australian male film actors
Australian male soap opera actors
Australian television writers
Australian atheists
Former Roman Catholics
1938 births
Living people
Australian male television writers
20th-century Australian male actors
21st-century Australian male actors