TV viewers of the 1960s have fond memories of Jonathan Harris as Dr. Zachary Smith from the very popular Lost in Space show. Harris did not appear in the show’s pilot and was originally slated for a small guest spot, however his delightful portrayal of the dastardly Dr. Smith was a hit with viewers.
Dr. Smith was intended to be simply the villain of the sci-fi series, but Harris managed to inject a hilarious creepiness. Dr. Smith’s sniveling cowardice was the perfect foible for the strong male characters. Even young Will Robinson and his robot exhibited bravery far beyond that of the “good” doctor.
Harris’ performance was so memorable that even decades after the relatively short run of Lost in Space Dr. Zachary Smith remains one of the most recognizable characters.
lost in space dr. smith,
