Edward Lester Smith (October 8, 1911 – September 20, 2002), stage name Bruce Edwards, was an American actor and photographer. He primarily played supporting roles in Hollywood films and film serials of the 1940s and early 1950s. After retiring in 1953, he pursued a photography career. A yachting enthusiast, he was also the owner-director of a summer camp for boys.

Edward Lester Smith was born on October 8, 1911, in Los Angeles, California.^[1] His parents were Clarence F. Smith and Susan Lotta.^[1] His father, a captain in the American Expeditionary Forces in World War I, was killed in action in 1918.^[2] He was raised by his mother.^[3] He graduated from Los Angeles High School and Menlo College.^[4]

In March 1936,^[6] Smith married Virginia Brand Andrews, who had a daughter from a previous marriage.^[7] The couple's only child, Edward Lester Smith Jr., died one day after birth in July 1942 due to a cerebral hemorrhage.^[8][9] Virginia was often mentioned in the local press for her social and fundraising activities.^[10][11][12] Virginia died in 1984.^[7] In March 1987, Smith remarried to Edith Joyce Birdwell,^[13] who survived him.^[4]

A long-time resident of Lido Isle, Newport Beach, and La Quinta, California, Smith was a yachting enthusiast. He spent summers with his family aboard his 26 ft (7.9 m) sloop Typee in Cherry Cove, Catalina Island.^[4][11] He sold Typee in 1959,^[14] and in 1970 purchased a sloop named Sea Spree.^[15][16]

In 1959 he and his first wife opened the Catalina Marineros Camp in Fourth of July Cove, Catalina Island.^[17] A 1960 ad for the camp for boys ages 7 to 16 described the activities as "outboarding, sailing and marinero's skills plus riding, swimming, hiking, tennis, baseball and other sports".^[18] Smith and his first wife were avid tennis players as well.^[19]

Smith died on September 20, 2002, aged 90, in Thousand Oaks.^[4] No funeral services were conducted; he was cremated and his ashes strewn at sea near Cherry Cove.^[4][20]

Sources:^[5][21]