Photo: Original file: Yuryi Abramochkin / Юрий АбрамочкинDerivative work: User:Vanjagenije / CC BY-SA 3.0 (source: Wikimedia Commons)
My Take
Samantha Smith's story still moves me more than almost any adult activist's. A Maine schoolgirl simply asked the Soviet leader why he wanted war, and that honest question carried her all the way to Moscow as a goodwill ambassador. There is something disarming about a child cutting through Cold War posturing with pure curiosity. Her death at thirteen in a plane crash is a genuine tragedy, but I think the lesson she embodied endures: dialogue beats fear. I admire how she reminds us that diplomacy starts with the simple willingness to talk, not with rank or expertise.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- Samantha Smith
- Name (Japanese)
- サマンサ・スミス
- Reading
- さまんさ・すみす
- Born
- June 29, 1972 – August 25, 1985
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Cancer / Rat
- Origin
- Houlton, Maine, United States
- Blood type
- Private
- Height
- Private
- Agency
- Private
- Occupation
- television actor / child actor / peace activist / writer / schoolchild
2. Background
- Elementary school
- Private
- Junior high
- Private
- High school
- Private
- University
- Private
3. Relationships
- Spouse
- Private
- Children
- Private
- Parents
- Private
- Siblings
- Private
4. Personality
Motto
Private
5. Works & records
| Category | Title | Role | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notable work | goodwill ambassador | — |
6. Links
Frequently asked questions
When was Samantha Smith born?
June 29, 1972 – August 25, 1985.
Where is Samantha Smith from?
Samantha Smith is from Houlton, Maine, United States.
What does Samantha Smith do?
Samantha Smith works as television actor, child actor, peace activist, writer, schoolchild.
What is Samantha Smith known for?
Notable works include goodwill ambassador.
Television actor — see all → · Child actor — see all → · More people from United States →
7. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
- 2026-06-17
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public items are marked "Private / Unknown". English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.