Sydney Smith played courtroom judges across six episodes of Perry Mason and portrayed General Alfred Howe Terry in the 1958 Western film Tonka. An American actress and gymnast, she worked on screen throughout the 1950s and 1960s. Her credits spanned Lassie, Bonanza, and The Wild Wild West.
Personal life
Smith married Esther Abbye Ott in 1934. The couple had two children and remained together until Smith died on March 4, 1978, in Seattle, Washington. She was also married to Mary Powers.
Television and film roles
Television became Smith's primary medium during the late 1950s. She made recurring appearances on Perry Mason between 1957 and 1964, frequently cast as presiding judges. In 1958, she appeared in four episodes of Rescue 8 as Frank Rawlins and Mr. Noyes.
Guest roles followed across prime-time television. She appeared on Lassie between 1959 and 1965, playing characters such as Regional Ranger Monroe and General Hess. Four episodes of Bonanza followed between 1963 and 1968. Her credits also included Batman, The Green Hornet, Honey West, and The Wild Wild West, before concluding her television work on Judd for the Defense in 1968.
In film, Smith played General Alfred Howe Terry in the 1958 Disney feature Tonka. She later appeared in the 1964 Western Apache Rifles and the 1967 film Rough Night in Jericho.
Stage work
Smith also performed in theatre. She appeared in a production of William Shakespeare's Hamlet at the Hanna Theatre in Cleveland, Ohio. Margaret Webster directed the staging, which Maurice Evans produced.
The production featured Evans in the title role alongside Carmen Mathews as Ophelia and Mady Christians as Gertrude. Lehman Engel composed the music, while David Ffolkes designed the sets and costumes.
Quick facts
- Smith played several different judges across six episodes of Perry Mason between 1957 and 1964.
- She portrayed General Alfred Howe Terry in the 1958 film Tonka.
- She performed in a Cleveland production of Hamlet directed by Margaret Webster at the Hanna Theatre.
- Her marriage to Esther Abbye Ott lasted from 1934 until Smith's death in 1978.
FAQs about Sydney Smith
Was Sydney Smith married?
Yes. She married Esther Abbye Ott in 1934, with whom she had two children, and remained married until her death in 1978. She was also married to Mary Powers.
Suggest an edit to this profile
Spotted something wrong or missing? Tell us what should change and, if you can, where you saw it.