Photo: J Feldman / Public domain (source: Wikimedia Commons)
My Take
Smith is the rare athlete who became just as recognizable in his second act as his first. At Michigan State he was a defensive force so dominant that crowds chanted Kill, Bubba, Kill, and going first overall in the draft confirmed the hype. But for a whole generation he is Hightower from Police Academy, the gentle giant whose deadpan size was the joke and the heart. I love that he leaned into comedy instead of guarding some tough-guy image. He brought genuine warmth to the screen, and his early passing in 2011 felt like losing a friendly presence.
Overview
Bubba Smith (February 28, 1945 - August 3, 2011) was an American professional football player and actor. A standout defensive end at Michigan State University, he was the first overall pick in the 1967 NFL Draft and played for teams including the Baltimore Colts, winning Super Bowl V. After football he became a popular actor, best known for playing Moses Hightower in the Police Academy film series. He died in 2011.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- Bubba Smith
- Name (Japanese)
- ババ・スミス
- Reading
- ばば・すみす
- Born
- February 28, 1945 – August 3, 2011
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Pisces / Rooster
- Origin
- Beaumont, Texas, United States
- Height
- 201cm
- Occupation
- Television actor / Film actor / American football player / Actor / Basketball player
2. Background
- University
- Michigan State University
4. Personality
Motto
Private
6. Links
Frequently asked questions
When was Bubba Smith born?
February 28, 1945 – August 3, 2011.
Where is Bubba Smith from?
Bubba Smith is from Beaumont, Texas, United States.
What does Bubba Smith do?
Bubba Smith works as Television actor, Film actor, American football player, Actor, Basketball player.
How tall is Bubba Smith?
Bubba Smith is 201cm.
Television actor — see all → · Film actor — see all → · More people from United States →
7. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
- 2026-06-02
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public or unconfirmed items are omitted. English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.