Famous actor Lane Smith has died of Lou Gehrig's disease, at age 69, in Los Angeles. Smith appeared in numerous films and television shows.

He played Richard Nixon in the TV movie "The Final Days", Daily Planet editor Perry White in "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman" and a small-town district attorney who crossed words with Joe Pesci in "My Cousin Vinny."

Film credits include "The Distinguished Gentleman", "Son in Law," "The Mighty Ducks" and "The Hi-Lo Country."

His wife, Debbie Benedict Smith said "He was diagnosed last April and thank God it took him very quickly because there is absolutely nothing you can do with this disease," she said. "It is so hideous. My new campaign is to see if there's something to do for the cause."

"In a way, it is such a relief because he was so ill," she said. "He wanted to be at home. He wanted to pass away at home, and he did."