Dallas Star Passes Away at 98

Dallas actor William Smithers has reportedly died at the age of 98.

He passed on May 26 in Santa Barbara, California, according to the Santa Barbara Independent.

The actor played Jeremy Wendell, the CEO of WestStar Oil, on the hit nighttime soap opera opposite Larry Hagman and Linda Gray.

Smithers starred in 50 episodes of the popular show from 1981 until 1989.

The native also had roles on the high-profile TV shows Star Trek, Peyton Place and Five-O.

And he made a mark in films such as 1973's Papillon with Steve McQueen and 1972's Trouble Man with Robert Hooks.

Smithers got his start in theater in 1951 in a Broadway production of Romeo and Juliet, starring Olivia de Havilland. The following year, he joined The Actors Studio. 

Smithers then moved to TV.

He played David Schuster on ABC's Peyton Place from 1965 to 1966. 

In 1968 he had the role of Captain R.M. Merik in the Bread and Circuses episode of Star Trek.

He also played Stanley Norris on the soap opera Guiding Light from 1970 to 1971.  Then came a role on Executive Suite from 1976 to 1977.  

His other TV credits included The Invaders, Barnaby Jones, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, Combat and Mission: Impossible.

He was in a total of 400 projects over his six decade career.