The Commandant’s biography, fact, career, awards, net worth and life story

Robin B. Smith (born February 28, 1955) is a South African former wrestling manager and actor. He appeared in the 2009 film Invictus. He was known in the WWF as The Commandant, who managed the South African Truth Commission for a short time in 1997.

Born in South Africa, his film career started in 1987 in the film Scavengers. He appeared in many South African movies throughout the late 1980s to the 2000s.

Wrestling career

Smith became a manager in professional wrestling in early 1997. Bret Hart visited South Africa and met Smith. Hart recommended him for a role in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), however he never fought as a wrestler. Smith made his wrestling debut in Tennessee in the US Wrestling Association (USWA). He wrestled under the name Commandant, and managed a stable of paramilitary wrestlers including “Interrogator”, “Tank” and “Recon” as the “Truth Commission”; a take on the similarly named Truth and Reconciliation Commission in South Africa

This team won the USWA Tag Team Championship three times. In June 1997, the Truth Commission made their WWF debut. Smith made promos on WWF about the Truth Commission and attacking the United States for not having discipline. He was hated by the fans. “Sniper” replaced “Tank” on the commission. He was interviewed by Sunny, but scared her by yelling at her. During the summer of 1997 the group lost only to The Legion of Doom. In September, Smith was replaced by The Jackyl; the WWF wanted someone who could participate physically in the matches. Smith returned to South Africa, ending his wrestling career.

Acting

Smith appeared in 2006’s The Fall, a film about Los Angeles based in the 1920s. In 2009 he played Johan De Villers in Invictus, about a South Africa rugby team fighting to win the 1995 Rugby World Cup.

Filmography

• Deadly Passion – 1984
• Red Scorpion – 1987
• Scavengers – 1987
• Accidents – 1988
• Brutal Glory – 1988
• Death Force – 1988
• Merchants of War – 1988
• Return to Justice – 1988
• American Ninja 4: The Annihilation – 1989
• Deadly Hunter (aka: Pursuit) – 1989
• Reason to Die – 1989
• The Revenger – 1989
• Guns of Honour – 1993
• Project Shadowchaser 2 – 1993
• Cyborg Cop II – 1993
• Never say Die – 1994
• Lunar Cop – 1994
• the Redemption – 1994
• Dangerous Ground – 1996
• Glory, Glory (aka: Hooded Angels) – 2000
• The Meeksville Ghost – 2000
• Berserker – Hell’s Warrior – 2004
• Deadly Harvest (German film for TV) 2008
• My Country my Hat – 1981
• Torn Allegiance – 1984
• The Hidden Farms (short) – 1985
• ‘n Wêreld Sonder Grense – 1986
• Any Mans Death – 1988
• Hold my Hand I’m Dying – 1988
• Paradise Road – 1988
• A Private life – 1988
• The Schoolmaster – 1988
• The Fourth Reich – 1989
• Jobman – 1989
• Bopha – 1993
• Black Velvet Band – 1996
• An Old Womans Tale (short) – 1998
• Running Free – 1998
• Africa – 1999
• Proteus – 2002
• Red Dust – 2003
• Stander – 2003
• Man to Man – 2004
• Coup – 2006
• Forestry in Africa – 2006
• Running Riot – 2006
• The Fall – 2006
• The Seven of Daran – 2007
• Invictus – 2009