Dennis Smithers Sr.

Born and raised in Arkansas, Smithers enlisted in the U.S. Army on his 17th birthday in 1970 and served four years with the 101st Airborne Division, also known as the "Screaming Eagles" before being honorably discharged in 1974 with the rank of Sergeant. Smithers, who earned a degree in Animal Science in 1978, began breeding exotic sheep in 2001 at his farm in Violet Hill. Starting with five "Four-Horned" Jacob Sheep and a pair of Black Welsh Mountain Sheep, he has since created a new breed which he calls the "J. Welsh Black Pearl." In 2004, Smithers delved into exotic hog farming with the addition of several pure-blood European Wild Hogs. The hogs make a memorable cameo appearance in A Bothered Conscience along with "Willie," Smithers' prized four-horned ram. With decades of experience in construction to call upon, Smithers brought hands-on skills and ingenuity to the production, designing and building many of the special effects himself, including the film's infamous "boot spikes." As you may have already guessed, he's not exactly the type of producer you're likely to see with a Starbuck's in his hand and a cell phone glued to his ear. But how does he feel about being cast as a psychotic knife-wielding hillbilly? "I've been told that I do fit that character quite well," admits Smithers. And if the response to his performance as Keller McGavin thus far is any indication, he may soon be adding the title of "cult hero" to his already colorful resume.