Bubba Smith, the 6–foot 7–inch tall former NFL star–turned–actor, was found dead by his caretaker at his Baldwin Hills home in Los Angeles, California Wednesday. He was 66 years old.

The cause of death is not yet known, but is assumed to be of natural causes and nothing suspicious is suspected.

Smith was a the first overall pick in the 1967 NFL draft by the Baltimore Colts, and went on to play nine seasons in the league, also playing for the Oakland Raiders and Houston Oilers, where he finished his career in 1976. He won Super Bowl V with the Colts in 1970, and was an All–Pro and two–time Pro Bowler.

After football, Smith moved on to acting, as so many professional athletes try to do. He became part of pop culture history when he landed the role of Moses Hightower, the gentle (unless provoked) giant member of the Police Academy movies. He would appear as the character in all but one of the series’ seven films, choosing not to return for Police Academy: Mission to Moscow.

Other notable titles Smith appeared on included Good Times, Charlie’s Angels, Half Nelson, and Married…With Children.

Bubba Smith
1945 – 2011

[Source: AP]