This is kind of “off topic,” but it is of interest for fans of Philip Jose Farmer: Kevin Smith, who portrayed war-god Ares on the syndicated television series “Hercules” and Xena: Warrior Princess” died at a Beijing, China, hospital from injures sustained in an accident. He had just completed filming a movie “Warriors of Virtue II” and was due to appear in the Bruce Willis movie “Man of War.” Smith, a New Zealand native, portrayed the character “Valdemar” in the movie “Riverworld,” based on the science fiction series by Philip Jose Farmer.