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Profile image for Russell Smith

Russell Smith

Actor

Russell Smith still gets recognised for his portrayal of milk-obsessed vampire Count Homogenized. Smith first played the affro-haired vamp on late 1970s series A Haunting We Will Go, before starring in spin-off show It is I, Count Homogenized. Smith's screen career is a study in adaptability. After early work in children's television — including co-hosting Play School — he joined the cast of pioneering show A Week of It, one of many comedy roles. In the late 80s he played a hard-bitten detective in Wellington cop show Shark in the Park. Smith has also directed on childrens shows Bumble and Mel's Amazing Movies.

People either loved it or hated it. And it didn’t seem to matter which, they still recognised you. It was one of those programmes which created a response. It doesn’t happen a lot with television. Russell Smith on playing Count Homogenized, in a 1991 Listener interview

Thumbnail image for Russell Smith: The man behind Count Homogenized...
Interview

Russell Smith: The man behind Count Homogenized...

Interview, 2012

Thumbnail image for Two Little Boys

Two Little Boys

2012, As: Des - Film

Thumbnail image for The Insiders Guide to Love

The Insiders Guide to Love

2005, As: Ted - Television

Thumbnail image for Bumble - Bumble's Christmas

Bumble - Bumble's Christmas

2000, Director - Television

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Bumble - Kiwi

2000, Director - Television

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Bumble

1999 - 2002, Director - Television

Thumbnail image for Letter to Blanchy - An Arresting Experience (Final Episode)

Letter to Blanchy - An Arresting Experience (Final Episode)

1997, As: Scaley Watson - Television

Thumbnail image for Letter to Blanchy

Letter to Blanchy

1995 - 1997, As: Scaley - Television

Thumbnail image for Letter to Blanchy - A Dinner Down Under

Letter to Blanchy - A Dinner Down Under

1995, As: Scaley - Television

Thumbnail image for Letter to Blanchy - Unofficial Channels

Letter to Blanchy - Unofficial Channels

1995, As: Scaley - Television

Thumbnail image for Posy Narkers - Five Episodes

Posy Narkers - Five Episodes

1995, Director - Finding Out, Milking & Movies episodes - Television

Thumbnail image for Letter to Blanchy - A Serious Undertaking

Letter to Blanchy - A Serious Undertaking

1995, As: Scaley - Television

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Typhon's People

1993, As: Forbes (Head of Security) - Television

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Shortland Street

1997, As: Kevin Lorrigan - Television

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Ruby and Rata

1990, As: Kevin Smith (social worker) - Film

Thumbnail image for Shark in the Park - Diversions (Series Two, Episode Four)

Shark in the Park - Diversions (Series Two, Episode Four)

1990, As: Bernie - Television

Thumbnail image for Shark in the Park - Prospects (Series Two, Episode One)

Shark in the Park - Prospects (Series Two, Episode One)

1990, As: Bernie - Television

Thumbnail image for Shark in the Park - Lamb to the Slaughter (Series One, Episode Three)

Shark in the Park - Lamb to the Slaughter (Series One, Episode Three)

1989, As: Detective Bernie Gregory - Television

Thumbnail image for Shark in the Park

Shark in the Park

1989 - 1991, As: Detective Bernie Gregory - Television

Thumbnail image for Never Say Die

Never Say Die

1988, As: Pilot - Film

Thumbnail image for Tales of the Mist - The Girl in the Cabbage Tree

Tales of the Mist - The Girl in the Cabbage Tree

1986, As: Charlie - Television

Thumbnail image for It is I Count Homogenized - Episode

It is I Count Homogenized - Episode

1983, As: Count Homogenised - Television

Thumbnail image for Rabbiter's Rest - A Fair Cop

Rabbiter's Rest - A Fair Cop

1983, As: Russell - Television

Thumbnail image for It is I Count Homogenized

It is I Count Homogenized

1983, As: Count Homogenized - Television

Thumbnail image for Woolly Valley - Series One Compilation

Woolly Valley - Series One Compilation

1982, As: Tussock - Television

Thumbnail image for Hang on a Minute Mate

Hang on a Minute Mate

1982, As: Doug Pettigrew - Television

Thumbnail image for A Haunting We Will Go - Cellar Ghost

A Haunting We Will Go - Cellar Ghost

1980, As: Count Homogenized - Television

Thumbnail image for McPhail & Gadsby - First Episode

McPhail & Gadsby - First Episode

1980, Actor - Television

Thumbnail image for Play School - Presenter Compilation

Play School - Presenter Compilation

1980 - 1987, Presenter - Television

Thumbnail image for A Haunting We Will Go

A Haunting We Will Go

1979 - 1980, As: Count Homogenized - Television

Thumbnail image for A Week of It - Christmas Special

A Week of It - Christmas Special

1979, As: Various roles - Television

Thumbnail image for A Week of It - Series Two, Episode 15

A Week of It - Series Two, Episode 15

1978, As: Bar manager, various roles - Television

Thumbnail image for A Haunting We Will Go - Pilot Episode

A Haunting We Will Go - Pilot Episode

1977, As: Count Homogenized - Television

Thumbnail image for A Week of It - First Episode

A Week of It - First Episode

1977, Actor - Television

Thumbnail image for A Week of It

A Week of It

1977 - 1979, Actor - Television

Thumbnail image for Play School

Play School

1976 - 1977, Presenter - Television