Paul Smith was born Anam Edel on February 5, 1939 in Everett, Massachusetts. He weighed 17 pounds at birth and was up to 200 pounds and six feet tall by the age of twelve. After high school he attended nearby Brandeis University in Boston and graduated with a B.A. in philosophy and psychology. Putting his size to use he worked as a bodyguard and bouncer before drifting into acting. Because of his size he was given parts as villains and ruffians. His first film was 1960’s “Exodus” filmed in Israel. He made several films there and then drifted to Italy where, because of his resemblance to Bud Spencer, he was quickly paired with Terence Hill look-alike Michael Coby and they made a series of films together capitalizing on the success of the Hill / Spencer team. In fact when Bud Spencer turned down the role of Bluto in the Robin Williams’ film “Popeye” Paul was offered and accepted the part. He would later appear in the 1994 film “Maverick”. In 2006 Paul and his wife Eve emigrated to Israel and they now live in the town Ra anana and where he has adopted the Hebrew name of Adam Eden. Happy 70th Birthday!
Mucho thank you.I thought he had fallen off the edge of the world.I could find nothing on him.His presence today was a big mystery to me.
ReplyDeleteI saw him at a Hollywood Collectors Show at the old Beverly Garland Hotel 10 years ago or so, after he retired from acting. He was a very nice guy and was tickled to autograph a Carambola poster for me as he told me all he ever got was Popeye material to sign.
ReplyDeleteI remember it was his role as the prison guard in Midnight Express in '78 that really gained him recognition here
ReplyDeleteEXODUS will be airing on TCM Friday the 13th at 2am (ET) and on the 12th at 11pm (PT)
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