Ian Smith

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

Smith appeared in roles for Crawford Productions, before taking a regular role in rural series Bellbird, and then working as a producer, screenwriter and actor on the cult series Prisoner. He starred in the soap opera Neighbours as Harold Bishop from 1987 until 1991, when the series was taken over by Network Ten. He returned to the role in 1996 and continued as a series regular until 2009, with subsequent guest appearances in 2011, 2015 and 2022.

In 2023, Smith said he was pleased to have been invited to make guest appearances on Neighbours, but wished to retire eventually. On 2 December 2024, it was announced that he would depart Neighbours again after he revealed that he had been diagnosed with terminal cancer.

Early life Smith was born to Peggy Kline in 1938 and first appeared in theatre as a child in 1943 and 1944, resuming his career in the late 1950s.

Career

Early career Smith having been a theatre performer of some years started appearing in television roles in the late 1960s with guesting roles in drama series for Crawford Productions, in police dramas Homicide, Division 4, Matlock Police and Bluey.

After having appeared in numerous guest parts in Division 4. 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.

Smith subsequently worked at Reg Grundy Productions with guest parts in there TV drama Glenview High and Chopper Squad

Prisoner Smith worked concurrently behind the scenes with Grundy's as 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.

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, he said in a 2008 interview that 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.

Filmography

Film + Year Title Role Notes TBA Residence Mike the Thaumaturge Film 2009 Remembering Nigel Himself Film 1997 The Last of the Ryans Sir Arthur Rylah Film 1993 Body Melt Dr. Carrera Feature film

Television + Year Title Role Notes 2021 How to Stay Married Father Michael TV series 2010 Underbelly: The Golden Mile Ken Wallis TV series 2009 The Jesus Spoon Buck Senior 2007 Little Britain Down Under Himself Special thanks 2000 Neighbours Revealed HimselfHarold Bishop TV special 1996 The Genie from Down Under Race Judge TV series 1994 Blue Heelers Clive Burton TV series 1987–91, 1996–2009, 2011, 2015, 2022, 2023–2025 Neighbours Harold Bishop TV series 1981 I Can Jump Puddles Mr. Slade TV series 1979–86 Prisoner Ted Douglas,Rev. Potter,Policeman TV series (also writer, script editor & associate producer) 1978 Chopper Squad TV series 1977 Glenview High Rocky TV series Bluey Sen. Det. Davidson TV series 1975 Division 4 Mike Chapman TV series Matlock Police Barry TV series Quality of Mercy TV series 1974 Ryan TV series Alpha Scorpio Unknown TV series 1972 Homicide Johnny Reid TV series 1971–73 Matlock Police Larry FisherRick Cameron,David Wishart,Const. Graham Browning,Estate Agent,John Roberts TV series 1971 Homicide Michael Edmunds TV series 1969 Detective Dick Spencer 1967 Belbird Russell Ashwood TV series 1966 Homicide Ray Fox TV series

Other appearances

Theatre

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