LIONEL MARK SMITH - ACTOR LIONEL MARK SMITH DIES

Actor LIONEL MARK SMITH has died following a battle with cancer. He was 62. Smith, who is best known for appearing in seven of playwright/director David Mamet's films including Homicide, State And Main and Oleanna, passed away at his home in Inglewood, California on 13 February (08). He also had roles in Paul Thomas Anderson's Magnolia and Bob Rafelson's cult 1981 movie The Postman Always Rings twice, starring Jack Nicholson. Smith also appeared in numerous TV shows including Hill Street Blues, NYPD Blue and L.A. Law. Born in Chicago, Illinois in 1946, Smith later revealed his father was a heroin dealer and his mother died of alcoholism. Following a stint in the U.S. Army, he met Mamet while pursuing a stage career in Chicago. Smith's last film role was in 2007's Stuck.