Dean Smith (athlete)

Finis Dean Smith (born January 15, 1932) is a former American athlete and stuntman, winner of gold medal in 4x100 m relay at the 1952 Summer Olympics.

Born in Breckenridge, Texas, Dean Smith won the AAU championships in 100 m in 1952.

At the Helsinki Olympics, Smith was fourth in the 100 m and ran the leadoff leg for American gold medal winning 4x100 m relay team.

After graduating from University of Texas at Austin, Smith played professional football for the Los Angeles Rams and the Pittsburgh Steelers. After his sports career, Smith performed as a professional rodeo cowboy and stuntman in various Western movies as The Alamo, The Comanceros, How The West Was Won, McClintock, Rio Conchos, Big Jake, and El Dorado. He also appeared in such Western TV shows as Tales of Wells Fargo, Maverick, Gunsmoke, Lawman, Have Gun Will Travel, and Walker, Texas Ranger.

Dean Smith is a member of the Stuntman's Hall of Fame. In 1997 he was named "All American Cowboy" and in 1998 he received a Golden Boot Award.