Lane Smith (born April 29, 1936 - June 13, 2005) was an American actor best known for his role as Perry White in the American television series Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman.
He also played Richard Nixon in The Final Days, for which he received a Golden Globe award nomination for best actor in a mini-series or motion picture made for television in 1990.
He was survived by his wife, son Robbie who was 18, a 19-year-old stepson, a brother and sister.
An alumnus of the Actors Studio, he appeared on the stage in such plays as the original production of David Mamet's play, "Glengarry Glen Ross", and in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.
Has one son, Robby Smith, from a first marriage.
Won critical praise and earned a Golden Globe nomination for his portrayal of a disgraced Richard Nixon in Final Days, The (1989) (TV). Ardent supporters of Nixon thought the 1989 TV-docudrama was a "smear" campaign, while his worst critics felt it far too sympathetic.
Studied drama for two years at what is now named Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh but dropped out for a two-year hitch with the Army.
Earned a Drama Desk Award for his role in the Broadway play "Glengarry Glen Ross" in 1984.`
Suffered from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's disease) in later years.
Father of actor Robby Smith.
