Howard Smit: Difference between revisions
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{{short description|American make-up artist}} |
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{{Infobox person |
{{Infobox person |
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|name = Howard Smit |
|name = Howard Smit |
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|birth_place = [[Chicago]], [[Illinois]] |
|birth_place = [[Chicago]], [[Illinois]] |
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|death_date = August 1, 2009 |
|death_date = August 1, 2009 |
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|death_place = [[Tarzana]], [[California]] |
|death_place = [[Tarzana, Los Angeles|Tarzana]], [[California]] |
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}} |
}} |
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'''Howard J. Smit''' (April 19, 1911 – August 1, 2009) was a pioneering [[ |
'''Howard J. Smit''' (April 19, 1911 – August 1, 2009) was a pioneering [[Americans|American]] [[film]] [[make-up artist]] known for his work on films including ''[[The Birds (film)|The Birds]]'' and ''[[The Wizard of Oz (1939 film)|The Wizard of Oz]]''.<ref name=variety>{{cite news |first=Pat|last=Saperstein|title=Makeup artist Howard Smit dies at 98 |url=https://www.variety.com/article/VR1118006906.html?categoryId=25&cs=1|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=2009-08-04 |access-date=2009-08-11}}</ref> Smit also spearheaded the movement to establish the [[Academy Award for Best Makeup]] to recognize the profession within the [[film industry]].<ref name=thr>{{cite news |first=Mike |last=Barnes |title=Makeup artist Howard J. Smit dies |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/makeup-artist-howard-j-smit-87280 |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=2009-08-04 |access-date=2009-08-12}}</ref> He also successfully pushed studios to credit film make-up artists in a movie's [[screen credit]]s.<ref name=variety/> |
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Smit became a founding member of the IATSE local 706, [[Make-up and Hairstylists Guild]] chapter, in 1937.<ref name=variety/> |
Smit became a founding member of the IATSE local 706, [[Make-up and Hairstylists Guild]] chapter, in 1937.<ref name=variety/> |
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==Early life== |
==Early life== |
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Howard Smit was born in [[Chicago, Illinois]], on April 19, 1911.<ref name=mam>{{cite news |
Howard Smit was born in [[Chicago, Illinois]], on April 19, 1911.<ref name=mam>{{cite news|first=Heather|last=Wisner|title=Howard Smit, Longtime Make-up Artist and Union Pioneer, Dies at 98|url=http://makeupmag.com/featured/id/636/|work=[[Make-Up Artist Magazine]]|date=2009-08-03|access-date=2009-08-12|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130128221527/http://makeupmag.com/featured/id/636/|archive-date=2013-01-28|url-status=dead}}</ref> He moved with his parents to [[Los Angeles]], where he eventually enrolled in [[law school]].<ref name=mam/> |
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==Career== |
==Career== |
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Smit began working as a [[make-up artist]] at [[RKO Studios]] in order to pay for law school.<ref name=mam/> He soon dropped out of law school and became a film studio make-up [[apprentice]].<ref name=mam/> He freelanced for several studios and businesses, including [[MGM Studios]], [[Republic Studios]] and [[Max Factor]].<ref name=mam/> |
Smit began working as a [[make-up artist]] at [[RKO Studios]] in order to pay for law school.<ref name=mam/> He soon dropped out of law school and became a film studio make-up [[apprentice]].<ref name=mam/> He freelanced for several studios and businesses, including [[MGM Studios]], [[Republic Studios]] and [[Max Factor]].<ref name=mam/> |
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Smit's earliest work film work included in the make-up departments of ''The Wizard of Oz'' and ''[[Gunga Din]]''.<ref name=variety/> Throughout the 1940s and 1950s, Smit worked on a number of [[feature films]], especially [[Westerns]].<ref name=variety/> He worked with some of Hollywood's best known actors of the time, including [[Myrna Loy]], [[Joan Crawford]], [[Ethel Barrymore]], [[Roy Rogers]], [[Barbara Stanwyck]], [[Dale Evans]], [[Lionel Barrymore]], and [[Robert Mitchum]].<ref name=variety/><ref name=thr/> |
Smit's earliest work film work included in the make-up departments of ''The Wizard of Oz'' and ''[[Gunga Din (film)|Gunga Din]]''.<ref name=variety/> Throughout the 1940s and 1950s, Smit worked on a number of [[feature films]], especially [[Westerns]].<ref name=variety/> He worked with some of Hollywood's best known actors of the time, including [[Myrna Loy]], [[Joan Crawford]], [[Ethel Barrymore]], [[Roy Rogers]], [[Barbara Stanwyck]], [[Dale Evans]], [[Lionel Barrymore]], and [[Robert Mitchum]].<ref name=variety/><ref name=thr/> |
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Smit worked on two of [[Alfred Hitchcock]]'s films in the 1960s, ''[[Marnie]]'' and ''[[The Birds (film)|The Birds]]''.<ref name=variety/> |
Smit worked on two of [[Alfred Hitchcock]]'s films in the 1960s, ''[[Marnie (film)|Marnie]]'' and ''[[The Birds (film)|The Birds]]''.<ref name=variety/> |
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He switched to television and later worked on the ''[[Mod Squad]]'' and ''[[The Streets of San Francisco]]''.<ref name=variety/><ref name=mam/> |
He switched to television and later worked on the ''[[Mod Squad]]'' and ''[[The Streets of San Francisco]]''.<ref name=variety/><ref name=mam/> |
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Smit and [[John Inzerella]] successfully spearheaded efforts to require [[film studios]] to include a mandatory contractual [[clause]] that credited make-up artists and hairstylists in a movie's [[screen credit]]s.<ref name=variety/><ref name=mam/> The compulsory screen credits for a film's make-up artists were adopted in the 1980s.<ref name=thr/> Smit also negotiated a five-day [[work week]] for film make-up artists.<ref name=mam/> |
Smit and [[John Inzerella]] successfully spearheaded efforts to require [[film studios]] to include a mandatory contractual [[clause]] that credited make-up artists and hairstylists in a movie's [[screen credit]]s.<ref name=variety/><ref name=mam/> The compulsory screen credits for a film's make-up artists were adopted in the 1980s.<ref name=thr/> Smit also negotiated a five-day [[work week]] for film make-up artists.<ref name=mam/> |
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Smit and Inzerella also led the campaign to establish the [[Academy Award for Best Makeup]] as a recognition of make-up artists by the [[Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences]].<ref name=variety/> Smit's efforts were rewarded in 1981 when the |
Smit and Inzerella also led the campaign to establish the [[Academy Award for Best Makeup]] as a recognition of make-up artists by the [[Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences]].<ref name=variety/> Smit's efforts were rewarded in 1981 when the academy created the first [[Academy Award|Oscar]] category for "achievement in make-up."<ref name=mam/> The inaugural Academy Award for film make-up was awarded in 1982 to [[make-up artist]] [[Rick Baker (makeup artist)|Rick Baker]] for his work on ''[[An American Werewolf in London]]''.<ref name=thr/> The Make-up and Hairstylists Guild honored Smit for his efforts in establishing the Academy Award for achievement in make-up by creating the Smitty Award in his honor.<ref name=variety/> |
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Smit established the Deb Star Ball in 1953, an industry event which was held annually for 15 years.<ref name=thr/> The proceeds from the ball were used to fund the IATSE Local 706 welfare committee.<ref name=thr/> Those honored at the Deb Star Ball included [[Jill St. John]], [[Mary Ann Mobley]], [[Kim Novak]] and [[Tuesday Weld]].<ref name=thr/> |
Smit established the Deb Star Ball in 1953, an industry event which was held annually for 15 years.<ref name=thr/> The proceeds from the ball were used to fund the IATSE Local 706 welfare committee.<ref name=thr/> Those honored at the Deb Star Ball included [[Jill St. John]], [[Mary Ann Mobley]], [[Kim Novak]] and [[Tuesday Weld]].<ref name=thr/> |
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Smit served as both a Governor and a [[board member]] of the [[Academy of Television Arts & Sciences]].<ref name=variety/><ref name=mam/> He also worked as a director for the [[Motion Picture Industry Health and Pension Fund]].<ref name=variety/> |
Smit served as both a Governor and a [[board member]] of the [[Academy of Television Arts & Sciences]].<ref name=variety/><ref name=mam/> He also worked as a director for the [[Motion Picture Industry Health and Pension Fund]].<ref name=variety/> |
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Smit was [[Shooting|shot]] and wounded by another make-up artist [[Donald Lee Morse|Donl Morse]] in 1986,<ref name=LAT>{{cite news |first=Eric |last=Malnic |title=Murder Charges to Be Filed Today in Officers' Pipe Bomb Deaths |url= |
Smit was [[Shooting|shot]] and wounded by another make-up artist [[Donald Lee Morse|Donl Morse]] in 1986,<ref name=LAT>{{cite news |first=Eric |last=Malnic |title=Murder Charges to Be Filed Today in Officers' Pipe Bomb Deaths |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-02-12-me-27522-story.html |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=1986-02-12 |access-date=2013-04-29}}</ref> as he was exiting a board meeting of the Make-up and Hairstylists Guild.<ref name=thr/> Smit's assailant later shot and killed two [[Los Angeles Police Department|Los Angeles police officers]] at the perpetrator's home.<ref name=variety/> Smit recovered from the [[shooting]]. He continued to serve on the Make-up Guild for eight more years until his retirement in 1994.<ref name=variety/><ref name=thr/> |
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He also developed a line of moisturizing cream which was sold in stores under the name, Stage Ten Cosmetics.<ref name=mam/> |
He also developed a line of moisturizing cream which was sold in stores under the name, Stage Ten Cosmetics.<ref name=mam/> |
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Latest revision as of 04:08, 15 August 2024
Howard Smit | |
|---|---|
| Born | April 19, 1911 |
| Died | August 1, 2009 |
Howard J. Smit (April 19, 1911 – August 1, 2009) was a pioneering American film make-up artist known for his work on films including The Birds and The Wizard of Oz.[1] Smit also spearheaded the movement to establish the Academy Award for Best Makeup to recognize the profession within the film industry.[2] He also successfully pushed studios to credit film make-up artists in a movie's screen credits.[1]
Smit became a founding member of the IATSE local 706, Make-up and Hairstylists Guild chapter, in 1937.[1]
Early life
[edit]Howard Smit was born in Chicago, Illinois, on April 19, 1911.[3] He moved with his parents to Los Angeles, where he eventually enrolled in law school.[3]
Career
[edit]Smit began working as a make-up artist at RKO Studios in order to pay for law school.[3] He soon dropped out of law school and became a film studio make-up apprentice.[3] He freelanced for several studios and businesses, including MGM Studios, Republic Studios and Max Factor.[3]
Smit's earliest work film work included in the make-up departments of The Wizard of Oz and Gunga Din.[1] Throughout the 1940s and 1950s, Smit worked on a number of feature films, especially Westerns.[1] He worked with some of Hollywood's best known actors of the time, including Myrna Loy, Joan Crawford, Ethel Barrymore, Roy Rogers, Barbara Stanwyck, Dale Evans, Lionel Barrymore, and Robert Mitchum.[1][2]
Smit worked on two of Alfred Hitchcock's films in the 1960s, Marnie and The Birds.[1]
He switched to television and later worked on the Mod Squad and The Streets of San Francisco.[1][3]
Industry work
[edit]The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees offered the Hollywood Motion Picture Make-up Artists Association a union charter in 1937.[3] The charter led to the foundation of the IATSE local 706, Make-up and Hairstylists Guild chapter, in 1937, of which Smit was a founding member. Smit remained active with the Make-up and Hairstylists Guild and other related unions and organizations for more than 60 years, until his retirement in 1994.[1]
Smit served as the president of the IATSE local 706, Make-up and Hairstylists Guild for two terms.[1] Smit was first elected president in 1953 and re-elected to a second term in 1955.[3] He later became a member of Make-up and Hairstylists Guild executive board of directors.[1] Smit served as the union's business representative from 1974 until 1994, and remained business representative emeritus following his retirement.[3]
Beginning in the 1950s, Smit pushed for pension, health and welfare benefits for Hollywood's make-up artists and hairstylists. Smit's efforts were successful and these benefits are now part of the industry's Basic Agreement contract.[1][2]
Smit and John Inzerella successfully spearheaded efforts to require film studios to include a mandatory contractual clause that credited make-up artists and hairstylists in a movie's screen credits.[1][3] The compulsory screen credits for a film's make-up artists were adopted in the 1980s.[2] Smit also negotiated a five-day work week for film make-up artists.[3]
Smit and Inzerella also led the campaign to establish the Academy Award for Best Makeup as a recognition of make-up artists by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.[1] Smit's efforts were rewarded in 1981 when the academy created the first Oscar category for "achievement in make-up."[3] The inaugural Academy Award for film make-up was awarded in 1982 to make-up artist Rick Baker for his work on An American Werewolf in London.[2] The Make-up and Hairstylists Guild honored Smit for his efforts in establishing the Academy Award for achievement in make-up by creating the Smitty Award in his honor.[1]
Smit established the Deb Star Ball in 1953, an industry event which was held annually for 15 years.[2] The proceeds from the ball were used to fund the IATSE Local 706 welfare committee.[2] Those honored at the Deb Star Ball included Jill St. John, Mary Ann Mobley, Kim Novak and Tuesday Weld.[2]
Smit served as both a Governor and a board member of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.[1][3] He also worked as a director for the Motion Picture Industry Health and Pension Fund.[1]
Smit was shot and wounded by another make-up artist Donl Morse in 1986,[4] as he was exiting a board meeting of the Make-up and Hairstylists Guild.[2] Smit's assailant later shot and killed two Los Angeles police officers at the perpetrator's home.[1] Smit recovered from the shooting. He continued to serve on the Make-up Guild for eight more years until his retirement in 1994.[1][2]
He also developed a line of moisturizing cream which was sold in stores under the name, Stage Ten Cosmetics.[3]
Death
[edit]Howard Smit died at the Providence Tarzana Medical Center on August 1, 2009, in Tarzana, California, at the age of 98.[1][2] His first wife, Edith Smit, whom he had been married to for more than 40 years, was a body make-up artist.[1] Smit's second wife, Isabelle, died on June 26, 2009.[1]
Funeral services were held at the Mount Sinai Memorial Park Cemetery in Los Angeles.[2]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v Saperstein, Pat (2009-08-04). "Makeup artist Howard Smit dies at 98". Variety. Retrieved 2009-08-11.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Barnes, Mike (2009-08-04). "Makeup artist Howard J. Smit dies". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2009-08-12.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Wisner, Heather (2009-08-03). "Howard Smit, Longtime Make-up Artist and Union Pioneer, Dies at 98". Make-Up Artist Magazine. Archived from the original on 2013-01-28. Retrieved 2009-08-12.
- ^ Malnic, Eric (1986-02-12). "Murder Charges to Be Filed Today in Officers' Pipe Bomb Deaths". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2013-04-29.
External links
[edit]- Howard Smit at IMDb