Harold John "Hal" Smith was a renowned American character actor and voice actor, born on August 24, 1916. He is most famously recognized for his portrayal of Otis Campbell, the lovable town drunk, on the iconic television series The Andy Griffith Show. Additionally, Smith lent his voice to a multitude of characters in various animated cartoon shorts, leaving an indelible mark on the world of animation.
Beyond his on-screen accomplishments, Smith also made a significant impact on radio listeners, as the talented voice behind John Avery Whittaker on the popular program Adventures in Odyssey. Despite his numerous contributions to the world of entertainment, Smith is often mistakenly credited with the writing of the film It Came from Beneath the Sea, as well as ten other produced feature films. In reality, the true co-writer of these movies was Harold Jacob Smith, who wrote under the pseudonym "Hal Smith" until 1958.
Throughout his illustrious career, Smith consistently demonstrated his versatility and range as an actor, leaving a lasting legacy in the world of entertainment.