Samantha Reed Smith (June 29, 1972 – August 25, 1985) was an American schoolgirl, peace activist and child actress from Manchester, Maine, who became famous in the Cold War era United States and Soviet Union. In 1982, Smith wrote a letter to the newly appointed CPSU General Secretary Yuri Andropov, and received a personal reply which included a personal invitation to visit the Soviet Union, which she accepted.Smith attracted extensive media attention in both countries as a "Goodwill Ambassador", and became known as "America's Youngest Ambassador" participating in peacemaking activities in Japan. She wrote a book about her visit to the Soviet Union and co-starred in the television series Lime Street, before her death at the age of 13 in the Bar Harbor Airlines Flight 1808 plane crash.
After her death, Samantha was honored with the first prize of the Children's Peace Award.
2
After her death, the Soviet government named a diamond, a rose and a mountain in her honor. In her home state of Maine, a grade school was named after her and a statue, showing her releasing a dove while a bear cub (representing both Maine and Russia) rests at her feet, was placed before the Maine State House in Augusta.
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After her death, the Soviet Union issued a stamp in her honor.
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First came to national attention in 1983 when, as a 10-year-old, she wrote to Soviet Premier Yuri Andropov, "Why do you want to conquer the whole world, or at least our country?" The premier was touched by her genuineness and replied that he had no such intention. He then invited Smith and her family to the USSR for a special tour. The bright and articulate schoolgirl became famous overnight.
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Died in a plane crash with her father during a break in filming of the series "Lime Street."
Actress
Title
Year
Status
Character
Lime Street
1985
TV Series
Elizabeth Culver
Charles in Charge
1984
TV Series
Kim
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
Samantha Smith Goes to Washington: Campaign '84
1984
TV Movie
Herself
Today
1983
TV Series
Herself
ABC News Nightline
1983
TV Series
Herself
Archive Footage
Title
Year
Status
Character
Love, Hate & Propaganda: The Cold War
2011
TV Series documentary
Herself - Andropov Letter Writer
The Unexplained
1998
TV Series
Herself
Known for movies
Samantha Smith Goes to Washington: Campaign '84 (1984) as Herself
$700,000
