Academy Award Makeup Artist at IMATS

Makeup Artist Dick Smith poses with Marilyn and Martin Melik, President of Mehron Makeup

Born in Larchmont, New York in 1922 Richard Emerson Smith became the Make-up Artist for such unforgettable films as Little Big Man, The Godfather, The Exorcist, Taxi Driver, and Scanners. His work on The Exorcist revolutionized Special Effects Makeup with the Set leading to a new wave of Makeup Artists influenced by his techniques. Mr. Smith won his first Osacr at the 57th Academy Awards held March 25, 1985 for his work on the Picture of the Year, Amadeus. The first Academy Awards were presented on May 16,1929 with Make-Up Artistry first officially recognized in 1981.

Richard Emerson Smith became known as Dick Smith, through his Make-Up innovations in style, technique, and inventions, Dick Smith earned the moniker, The Legendary Make-Up Artist Dick Smith. As a teacher, Mr. Smith couldn't have ordered a better crop of Students, many of whom have become innovators and Academy Award Winners throughout their own careers. Considered a revolution in Make-Up Application, Mr. Smith perfected the art of applying prosthetic latex in pieces, allowing the performer the freedom of facial expression when in FX Makeup. Considered equal to blasphemy at the time, the FX Makeup Technique pioneered by Dick Smith is the standard in FX Makeup today.

Spending years in Television Makeup Rooms, Mr. Smith was the Makeup Director at NBC Television for fourteen years where his constant inventiveness changed the face and speed of Television Makeup and quick changes. With Television credits dating back to 1946 and Film Credits back to 1962, Dick Smith has been on the Makeup scene for a majority of years that Mehron Makeup has been in existence.

Mr. Smith continues to instruct and consult on all forms of Theatrical Makeup. At the 2010 International Makeup Artist Show (IMATS LA 2010) held in Pasadena, CA on June 26-27, 2010, Mr. Dick Smith stopped by the Mehron Makeup Booth at the Exhibition Hall.