Ian Michael Smith
Encyclopedia
Ian Michael Smith is an American actor
, known for his starring role in Simon Birch
. His short physical stature (3'1") is a result of Morquio syndrome
, a rare enzymatic disorder affecting the circulatory, muscular and skeletal systems.
A Chicago area hospital worker had approached the parents of young Ian Smith about his auditioning for the leading role in a soon-to-be-filmed motion picture. Like Smith, the film's hero is afflicted with Morquio Syndrome. The Smiths were concerned about exploitation but after reading the novel on which the film was based agreed to allow their son to audition. Although he eventually lost out on that role (the film was The Mighty
and Kieran Culkin landed the part), Smith was recommended for another role in a film based on a novel. This time, his audition tape won over the director and the novice was hired to essay the title role of Simon Birch
(1998), suggested by John Irving's "A Prayer for Owen Meany". Because of his height, Smith was the perfect choice to play Simon, described as having been so small when he was born his mother didn't even notice the delivery. The novice actor proved a natural before the cameras and impressed some reviewers who found the film itself treacly and sentimental.
Ian is a 2005 graduate of York Community High School
, located in Elmhurst, Illinois
.
Ian has undergone several operations including a spinal fusion
and two bilateral osteotomies. He also has a brother, Brian. He graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
in 2009 and is now a graduate student at Gallaudet University
.
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
, known for his starring role in Simon Birch
Simon Birch
Simon Birch is a 1998 American [drama] film loosely based on A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving. It was directed and written for the screen by Mark Steven Johnson. The film stars Ian Michael Smith, Joseph Mazzello, Ashley Judd, Oliver Platt, and Jim Carrey. It omitted much of the latter half of...
. His short physical stature (3'1") is a result of Morquio syndrome
Morquio syndrome
Morquio's syndrome is an autosomal recessive mucopolysaccharide storage disease , usually inherited. It is a rare type of birth defect with serious consequences...
, a rare enzymatic disorder affecting the circulatory, muscular and skeletal systems.
A Chicago area hospital worker had approached the parents of young Ian Smith about his auditioning for the leading role in a soon-to-be-filmed motion picture. Like Smith, the film's hero is afflicted with Morquio Syndrome. The Smiths were concerned about exploitation but after reading the novel on which the film was based agreed to allow their son to audition. Although he eventually lost out on that role (the film was The Mighty
The Mighty
The Mighty is a 1998 drama film based on the book Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick.-Plot:Kevin is a 12-year-old boy who suffers Mucopolysaccharidosis IV, or Morquio syndrome. He is extremely intelligent and prone to flights of fancy, but is physically crippled and is forced to walk with crutches...
and Kieran Culkin landed the part), Smith was recommended for another role in a film based on a novel. This time, his audition tape won over the director and the novice was hired to essay the title role of Simon Birch
Simon Birch
Simon Birch is a 1998 American [drama] film loosely based on A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving. It was directed and written for the screen by Mark Steven Johnson. The film stars Ian Michael Smith, Joseph Mazzello, Ashley Judd, Oliver Platt, and Jim Carrey. It omitted much of the latter half of...
(1998), suggested by John Irving's "A Prayer for Owen Meany". Because of his height, Smith was the perfect choice to play Simon, described as having been so small when he was born his mother didn't even notice the delivery. The novice actor proved a natural before the cameras and impressed some reviewers who found the film itself treacly and sentimental.
Ian is a 2005 graduate of York Community High School
York Community High School
York Community High School is a public secondary school in Elmhurst, Illinois, United States. Most of the students reside in Elmhurst, however the district also draws a small number of students from Addison, Bensenville, and Oak Brook...
, located in Elmhurst, Illinois
Elmhurst, Illinois
Elmhurst is a suburb of Chicago in DuPage and Cook Counties, Illinois. The population is 46,013 as of the 2008 US Census population estimate.-History:...
.
Ian has undergone several operations including a spinal fusion
Spinal fusion
Spinal fusion, also known as spondylodesis or spondylosyndesis, is a surgical technique used to join two or more vertebrae. Supplementary bone tissue, either from the patient or a donor , is used in conjunction with the body's natural bone growth processes to fuse the vertebrae.Fusing of the...
and two bilateral osteotomies. He also has a brother, Brian. He graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private research university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. MIT has five schools and one college, containing a total of 32 academic departments, with a strong emphasis on scientific and technological education and research.Founded in 1861 in...
in 2009 and is now a graduate student at Gallaudet University
Gallaudet University
Gallaudet University is a federally-chartered university for the education of the deaf and hard of hearing, located in the District of Columbia, U.S...
.
External links
- Ian Michael Smith at Hollywood.com...