'Police Academy' actor and NFL star Charles 'Bubba' Smith dies
August 3rd, 2011
06:41 PM ET

'Police Academy' actor and NFL star Charles 'Bubba' Smith dies

Former NFL star and movie actor Charles Aaron "Bubba" Smith has died, the Los Angeles Coroner's Chief of Forensic Examinations said.

Smith spent nine seasons in the NFL as a defensive end in the '60s and '70s. He's perhaps best known for his role as Moses Hightower in the "Police Academy" movies.

Police and fire officials were called to Smith's Baldwin Hils house after "he was found unresponsive," and pronounced him dead, said Ed Winter, assistant chief of operations and investigation for the coroner. The body will be taken to the coroner's office, where an autopsy will be performed to determine cause of death, Winter said.

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soundoff (153 Responses)
  1. RIP Spare Tire

    RIP Spare Tire aka Hightower. Thoughts and prayers with his family

    August 3, 2011 at 7:32 pm | Report abuse |
  2. Bambino Machievelli

    He was one of the great ones and a very funny role actor as well. He will be missed. Police Academy woukd not have been the same without him.

    August 3, 2011 at 7:34 pm | Report abuse |
    • imuststandup

      A hulking man of very few words. What a lovable character he played! His character, besides Mahoney, was my favorite! RIP, Mr. Smith...

      August 3, 2011 at 7:52 pm | Report abuse |
  3. Tom

    "Kill Bubba Kill"..."Bubba would grab the whole backfield and start throwing guys out until he found the one with the ball".......RIP to a true legend.

    August 3, 2011 at 7:34 pm | Report abuse |
  4. myloveis2good

    Bubba was a very funny actor great talent, and great football player he will be miss my sympahty 2 his family,RIP BUBBA.

    August 3, 2011 at 7:35 pm | Report abuse |
  5. Beaumonter

    RIP Bubba, from your hometown of Beaumont TX. You will be missed

    August 3, 2011 at 7:36 pm | Report abuse |
  6. sharky

    HIGHTOWER!!!!!!!!!

    RIP Mr. Smith, now you can toss the ball with David Graf (Tackleberry).

    August 3, 2011 at 7:39 pm | Report abuse |
  7. RG

    How old was he? You'd figure it would be mentioned in the article.

    August 3, 2011 at 7:40 pm | Report abuse |
    • Playjojo

      And how did he die? Bummer.

      August 3, 2011 at 7:45 pm | Report abuse |
    • scranton

      I believe he was 66. They found him in his home and it has been ruled he died of natural causes.

      August 3, 2011 at 7:46 pm | Report abuse |
  8. Rob

    As much as I hate finding a silver lining, at least it hopefully means that Hollywood won't try to revive the Police Academy franchise. I kind of doubt that though. RIP Bubba.

    August 3, 2011 at 7:41 pm | Report abuse |
  9. The truth

    R.I.P.

    August 3, 2011 at 7:42 pm | Report abuse |
  10. JackofArts

    Was way too young to watch him play football, but I do remember him as an actor who was always the straight man to the insanity that was Police Academy. My condolensences to his family for their loss. RIP big man!!

    August 3, 2011 at 7:42 pm | Report abuse |
  11. Dave

    The German Sheppard we had as a kid was named after Smith but wasn't nearly as ferocious. I'll never forget the man, the player or the actor. Rest in peace, Bubba.

    August 3, 2011 at 7:43 pm | Report abuse |
  12. lisa

    He will b missed. I loved him in police academy series. Rip.

    August 3, 2011 at 7:43 pm | Report abuse |
  13. scranton

    RIP Bubba, you were a class act.

    August 3, 2011 at 7:44 pm | Report abuse |
  14. David from FL

    One of the best scenes in Police Academy with Hightower was when Mahoney took him to learn how to drive and he was too big for the car. He had to rip the front seat out and drove from the rear.

    August 3, 2011 at 7:45 pm | Report abuse |
  15. Derrick Bickham

    Rest In Peace.

    August 3, 2011 at 7:46 pm | Report abuse |
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