Dick Smith (1922-2014) was an American actor and filmmaker best known for his roles in films such as Close Encounters of the Third Kind, The Exorcist, and The Godfather. He was born in New York City and began his acting career in the late 1940s, appearing in small roles in films such as The Naked City and The Men.
In the 1950s, Smith moved to Hollywood and began appearing in larger roles. His first major role was in the 1955 film Angels in the Outfield. He went on to have many more successful roles, including in Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds, Robert Wise's The Sand Pebbles, and Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey. He also had a notable role in the classic sci-fi film Close Encounters of the Third Kind.
Smith was nominated for an Academy Award for his work in The Godfather in 1972, and he won the Academy Award for Best Makeup for his work in The Exorcist in 1973. He was also nominated for an Emmy Award for his work in the television movie The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman.
Throughout his career, Smith worked with some of Hollywood's biggest stars, including Marlon Brando, Robert Redford, and Richard Dreyfuss. He often collaborated with directors such as Steven Spielberg and Francis Ford Coppola.
In addition to his acting career, Smith was also a successful filmmaker. He directed the films The Pursuit of Happiness and The Black Marble, as well as the documentary The Wild West.
In his later years, Smith was known for his philanthropy. He was the founder of the Dick Smith Foundation, which supports a variety of causes, including education, health care, and the environment.
Smith passed away in 2014 at the age of 92. He is remembered as one of the great actors and filmmakers of his time, and his legacy lives on through his work and his charitable foundation.
