May 6, 2009

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Academy Pays Tribute to
Godfather of Special Makeup Effects
Dick Smith 

Beverly Hills, CA – The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will present “A Tribute to Dick Smith: The Godfather of Special Makeup Effects,” on Wednesday, June 17, at 7:30 p.m. in the Samuel Goldwyn Theater.  Six-time Oscar-winning makeup artist Rick Baker will host the evening, which will be attended by Smith himself and will feature a panel discussion including writer-director Guillermo del Toro, actor Hal Holbrook and makeup artists Greg Cannom, Kazuhiro Tsuji and Andrew Clement, among others.

The evening will highlight Smith's innovative career, which began in 1945 when he became NBC's first makeup man.  Smith is known for his makeup artistry on such films as "The Godfather," "The Exorcist" and "Taxi Driver," but it was his work with Paul LeBlanc on "Amadeus" (1984), that finally earned him an Oscar.

Tickets for "A Tribute to Dick Smith" are $5 for the general public and $3 for Academy members and students with a valid ID.  They may be purchased beginning May 26 online at www.oscars.org, in person at the Academy box office or by mail.  Doors open at 6:30 p.m.  All seating is unreserved.  The Academy is located at 8949 Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills.  For more information, call (310) 247-3600.  For the latest updates on panelists and program details, visit www.oscars.org.

About the Academy

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is the world’s preeminent movie-related organization, with a membership of more than 6,000 of the most accomplished men and women working in cinema. In addition to the annual Academy Awards – in which the members vote to select the nominees and winners – the Academy presents a diverse year-round slate of public programs, exhibitions and events; provides financial support to a wide range of other movie-related organizations and endeavors; acts as a neutral advocate in the advancement of motion picture technology; and, through its Margaret Herrick Library and Academy Film Archive, collects, preserves, restores and provides access to movies and items related to their history. Through these and other activities the Academy serves students, historians, the entertainment industry and people everywhere who love movies.