AMPAS® Presents 'A Tribute to Dick Smith: The Godfather of Special Makeup Effects'

Paul LeBlanc and Dick Smith backstage

1984 (57th) Academy Awards ceremony
Photo: Courtesy of the Margaret Herrick

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 Dick 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.

YYY