Charles Martin Smith

'Charles Martin Smith' (qv) is an American film actor, writer, and director. Born in Van Nuys, California, Smith was discovered by a talent agent while acting in a school play, usually a rare occurrence. After a few years of working in film, he landed the role of Terry "Toad" Fields in 'George Lucas' (qv)' 1973 film, _American Graffiti (1973)_ (qv). The sequel, _More American Graffiti (1979)_ (qv), did not have the success of the original, but he gained notice in _The Buddy Holly Story (1978)_ (qv), _Never Cry Wolf (1983)_ (qv) and the successful _Starman (1984)_ (qv).Smith's career continued mainly in supporting roles, but he received good reviews for his work in _The Untouchables (1987)_ (qv). While his career was largely unremarkable in the 1990s after appearing in less successful films, such as _Speechless (1994)_ (qv) and _I Love Trouble (1994)_ (qv), Smith turned in a well-regarded performance in the TV miniseries 'Larry McMurtry' (qv)'s _Streets of Laredo (1995)_ (qv) and a minor role in the big budget _Deep Impact (1998)_ (qv). He was also one of the directors of the TV series _Space: Above and Beyond (1995)_ (qv), as well as the director of the initial episode ("Welcome to the Hellmouth") that launched the hit TV series _Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997)_ (qv). Since the mid-1990s, Smith has increasingly focused on his work behind the camera. He directed the feature film _Air Bud (1997)_ (qv) (Disney), and two TV miniseries for Hallmark Entertainment, _Roughing It (2002)_ (qv) and _Icon (2005)_ (qv). He also wrote and directed the feature film, _The Snow Walker (2003)_ (qv), for Lion's Gate Films, based on a story by 'Farley Mowat' (qv) (_Never Cry Wolf (1983)_ (qv)), which marked a return to the Arctic for Smith. He then wrote and directed the feature film _Stone of Destiny (2008)_ (qv), for Infinity Features and Odeon Sky, the true story of four young Scottish students who broke into Westminster Abbey in London to take back a sacred Scottish relic. The film stars 'Charlie Cox' (qv), 'Kate Mara' (qv) and 'Robert Carlyle' (qv), and was nominated for Best Picture by the Scottish BAFTAS. He now resides in Canada and continues to add to production, directing, acting, and writing credits in a career that has spanned over 35 years.His next film, _Dolphin Tale (2011)_ (qv), for Alcon (_The Blind Side (2009)_ (qv)) and Warner Brothers, which he also wrote and directed, stars 'Harry Connick Jr.' (qv), 'Ashley Judd' (qv), 'Morgan Freeman' (qv), and Winter, the dolphin, who plays herself in the film. The movie is scheduled to be released Sept. 23, 2011 by WB.::Tony Fontana <tony.fontana@spacebbs.com>