Paul Smith

Paul Bernard Smith (born 1968) is an Australian former actor, who started his career as a child actor.

He is best known for starring as Steve Henderson in the Network Ten children's drama The Henderson Kids and for originating the role of Simon Kelly in the Seven Network sitcom Hey Dad...!

Smith also starred in the 1982 film Fighting Back.

Career

Smith began his acting career at the age of 12. He had to finish his schooling, including his HSC, with private tutors, before he quit to concentrate on acting. Smith's first role was playing a juvenile delinquent in the 1982 film Fighting Back.

Smith starred in a two-part episode of A Country Practice called "Repairing The Damage" as a glue-sniffing addict. The episodes were later re-screened by Seven due to popular demand.

In 1986, Henderson was cast in the role of Simon Kelly in the Seven Network sitcom Hey Dad..!. He left the show after just one year, with Christopher Mayer taking over the role. He later said he left Hey Dad..! after "a big row with the producer."

Filmography

Film Fighting Back (1982) as Tom Goodwood Platypus Cove (1983) as Jim Mason

Television Waterloo Station (1983) as Joey Daniels Boy in the Bush (TV miniseries) (1984) as Lennie The Fire in the Stone (TV movie) (1984) as Ernie Ryan The Cowra Breakout (TV miniseries) (1984) as Bob Davidson Crime of the Decade (TV movie) (1984) as Rolly A Country Practice (1984) as Andy The Henderson Kids (1985) as Steve Henderson The Henderson Kids II (1987) as Steve Henderson Hey Dad..! (1987) as Simon Kelly Mission: Impossible (1988) as Tim The Private War of Lucinda Smith (TV movie) (1990) as Private Reed Police Rescue (1991) as Wilson G.P. (1992) as Davo

Legal issues On 24 July 1991, Smith was sentenced in Parramatta District Court to 18 months weekend detention after pleading guilty to 18 dishonesty charges, having admitted to using false names to defraud and embezzle $57,000 to satisfy his gambling addiction.

Smith said he had booked himself into the Wisteria House Rehabilitation Centre in August 1990 after he found himself gambling compulsively having had trouble coping with the sudden success of his acting career.