Actor. A versatile character actor, he is best known for portraying 'District Attorney Jim Trotter, III' arguing a murder case against Joe Pesci's 'Vinny Gambini' in the film "My Cousin Vinny" (1992). His acting career spanned over 35 years, and included work on stage, film, and television. He started out as a student at the Actors Studio along with such future stars as Dustin Hoffman and Al Pacino. He appeared on numerous productions on the stage, before he began work in films. He began his work in films playing bit parts in such classics as "Network" (1976), " Prince of the City" (1981), and "Frances" (1982). His parts became larger in motion pictures such as "Places in the Heart" (1984), (along with Sally Field), and "Prison" (1988). After "Vinny" in 1992 he played a hockey coach in "The Mighty Ducks" (1992), and a crooked congressman in "The Distinguished Gentleman"(1992). His largest role to date came as Pauly Shore's less than pleased future father-in-law in "Son-in-Law" (1993). Television Audiences remember him as "Daily Planet" editor 'Perry White' on the series "Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman" (which he played for four seasons). He also made several appearances on show's like "Murder, She Wrote," "The Practice," and "Judging Amy." His last role came in the 2003 Mini-Series "Out of Order." Lane Smith suffered from ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) in his last several years. He was 69 when he passed away.
Actor. A versatile character actor, he is best known for portraying 'District Attorney Jim Trotter, III' arguing a murder case against Joe Pesci's 'Vinny Gambini' in the film "My Cousin Vinny" (1992). His acting career spanned over 35 years, and included work on stage, film, and television. He started out as a student at the Actors Studio along with such future stars as Dustin Hoffman and Al Pacino. He appeared on numerous productions on the stage, before he began work in films. He began his work in films playing bit parts in such classics as "Network" (1976), " Prince of the City" (1981), and "Frances" (1982). His parts became larger in motion pictures such as "Places in the Heart" (1984), (along with Sally Field), and "Prison" (1988). After "Vinny" in 1992 he played a hockey coach in "The Mighty Ducks" (1992), and a crooked congressman in "The Distinguished Gentleman"(1992). His largest role to date came as Pauly Shore's less than pleased future father-in-law in "Son-in-Law" (1993). Television Audiences remember him as "Daily Planet" editor 'Perry White' on the series "Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman" (which he played for four seasons). He also made several appearances on show's like "Murder, She Wrote," "The Practice," and "Judging Amy." His last role came in the 2003 Mini-Series "Out of Order." Lane Smith suffered from ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) in his last several years. He was 69 when he passed away.
Bio by: The Perplexed Historian
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