Special Effects Make-up Artist. Smith, who was know as 'The Godfather of Make-up', attended Yale University where he studied pre-med with the intention of entering dentistry, began administering make-up for the school's drama group after reading a book on theatrical make-up techniques. After his graduation, Smith served in the United States Army during World War II, then sought work as a makeup artist. He found work at WNBC-TV in New York, where he was head of the makeup department for 14 years. While working in television, he began developing new ways of shaping foam latex and attaching it to faces to make his creations more lifelike. He often made life masks of actors, then built prosthetics that would fit perfectly onto their faces. Smith won a Primetime Emmy in 1967 for his work on Hal Holbrook's 'Mark Twain Tonight!'. On film, Smith was responsible for creating Linda Blair's harrowing possession in 'The Exorcist'. His other notable projects included 'Taxi Driver', 'The Godfather', 'The Deer Hunter', 'Little Big Man', 'Scanners', 'Marathon Man', 'Death Becomes Her' and 'Amadeus' for which he won an Academy Award in 1985. In 2012, Smith received an honorary Governor's Academy Award for his contribution to the field, the first ever make-up artist to be so honored and in 2014, he received the Makeup Artists Lifetime Achievement Award at the Makeup Artists and Hair Stylist Guild Awards.
Special Effects Make-up Artist. Smith, who was know as 'The Godfather of Make-up', attended Yale University where he studied pre-med with the intention of entering dentistry, began administering make-up for the school's drama group after reading a book on theatrical make-up techniques. After his graduation, Smith served in the United States Army during World War II, then sought work as a makeup artist. He found work at WNBC-TV in New York, where he was head of the makeup department for 14 years. While working in television, he began developing new ways of shaping foam latex and attaching it to faces to make his creations more lifelike. He often made life masks of actors, then built prosthetics that would fit perfectly onto their faces. Smith won a Primetime Emmy in 1967 for his work on Hal Holbrook's 'Mark Twain Tonight!'. On film, Smith was responsible for creating Linda Blair's harrowing possession in 'The Exorcist'. His other notable projects included 'Taxi Driver', 'The Godfather', 'The Deer Hunter', 'Little Big Man', 'Scanners', 'Marathon Man', 'Death Becomes Her' and 'Amadeus' for which he won an Academy Award in 1985. In 2012, Smith received an honorary Governor's Academy Award for his contribution to the field, the first ever make-up artist to be so honored and in 2014, he received the Makeup Artists Lifetime Achievement Award at the Makeup Artists and Hair Stylist Guild Awards.
Bio by: Louis du Mort
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