http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2011/08/bubba-smith-death-no-signs-of-foul-play-police-say.html

Bubba Smith, famous for both his NFL career as well as playing Officer Hightower in the Police Academy movie series, passed away today at the age of 66.

Farewell Bubba...  :\'(  Thanks for the sports excitement and the big screen laughs.  :)

He was awesome as Hightower, as well as that Taxi episode he did.  R.I.P. Bubba.  You were a great football player and actor

He was one of my favorite characters on the movie.  :-\\

He was one of my favorite characters on the movie.  :-\\


My favourite scene was when he reached down and flipped over that cop car.  ;D

This is sad to hear!  :\'(  :\'(  :\'(

R.I.P. Bubba Smith

This is sad to hear!   :\'(   :\'(   :\'(

:\'( HIGHTOWER! :\'(

It always breaks my heart to see a nice guy in sports or showbiz(or both here) go too soon. My fave moment was in P.A. #5 when he's dangling a jewel thief off a rooftop to get info out of him, then politely asks, "Can I drop you somewhere?"
I hope Steve Guttenberg(Mahoney) eulogizes him, as well as one of his former teammates. Rest in Peace, Bubba, even if you're with Tackleberry now!

Your Pal,
Doc
:(

Those old Police Academy films were a friggin riot!
Take care Bubba, thanks for the entertainment.

I was shocked to hear that he died.

I'm from the same town as him and even went to the middle school named after his father (Willie Ray Smith middle School). Bubba and my mom went to the same high school--she graduated after him though, but I think my mom's older sister was there at the same time he was. Wiki says he graduated class of 1963 and my Aunt Dee graduated class of 65.  :)

Bubba Smith is a big thing in town and alot of people are sad he;s gone.

My favourite scene was when he reached down and flipped over that cop car.  ;D


The best was in 'City Under Siege' when he's fighting that guy in the junk yard, he notices his name tag was ripped, and said: "Ok, now I'm mad!"

Or in that same film, when he messes with Capt. Harris's chair ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xsfd01lkNEY

Don't know why this seems so shocking...I guess even 66 seems too young for some.

He was one of few, big, tall and imposing, yet he was able to revel in the humor of his stature and make fun of himself.

Some men are sometimes incapable of that, it takes a great man to know himself and still enjoy good natured humor of not taking himself so seriously.

The NFL and the comedy world lost a good one, RIP.  :\'(

RIP Big Bubba and play some football in heaven.  :)

My favourite scene was when he reached down and flipped over that cop car.   ;D


With me, scenes like that where he was using his massive strength were too.

RIP Big Bubba and play some football in heaven.  :)

Yeah Bubba, play football in heaven. Just don't try to sack god. ;D

Wasn't he in all of The Police Academies? ???

Update on this story...

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shutdown_corner/post/Coroner-Bubba-Smith-died-from-overdose-of-diet-?urn=nfl-wp10986

Turns out Bubba OD'd on diet pills.  :-\\

Wow, I totally missed this one.  I loved him. 

Update on this story...

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shutdown_corner/post/Coroner-Bubba-Smith-died-from-overdose-of-diet-?urn=nfl-wp10986

Turns out Bubba OD'd on diet pills.   :-\\


So he wanted to lose weight? I thought he was happy the way he was? :(

I did'nt know he passed... May he R I P  :\'(