Dick Smith. THE man. (PRNewsFoto/Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild)
In an alternate life I was a makeup/FX artist. But as I have absolutely no talent in that area whatsoever, I simply fawn over those that do. Who better than “The Godfather of Makeup”, Dick Smith? Seriously, I have a tattered, pancake-makeup-encrusted copy of his Dick Smith’s Do-It-Yourself Monster Make-up Handbook on my bookshelf, right next to Tom Savini’s Grande Illusions.
So when I heard that Smith was getting a Lifetime Achievement Award at this year’s Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild Awards, my only question was what took ’em so long? But since the Academy Awards didn’t start honoring these artists ’til 1981 (otherwise Smith surely would have won for his work on The Exorcist, Little Big Man and The Godfather), I guess I can cut the Guild some slack. Some. Smith did receive an honorary Oscar in 2012, and at the Fangirl Residence there was a standing ovation from all in attendance.
FX geeks will be doubly excited about this award, as his protege Rick Baker will be the presenter. Y’know, the 7-time Oscar winner that did that amazing transformation scene in An American Werewolf In London? They guy that has been teasing us with Maleficent poster eeriness? Yeah, him.
The ceremony will be held February 15th. And I’d kill to be there. Or at least I’d spill a ton of Karyo syrup, red food coloring and peanut butter.
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Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild. (PRNewsFoto/Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild)
Oscar®-Winning Make-Up Artist Dick Smith to Receive Make-Up Artists Lifetime Achievement Award at the Annual Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild Awards on February 15
LOS ANGELES, Jan. 8, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — Two-time Academy Award® winning make-up artist Dick Smith, considered “The Godfather of Make-Up”, will receive the Make-up Artists Lifetime Achievement Award at the Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild Awards (IATSE Local 706), it was announced today by Guild President Sue Cabral-Ebert. The Awards ceremony, back by popular demand, will be held onFebruary 15, 2014, at the Paramount Studios lot. Academy Award® winner Rick Baker who was Smith’s apprentice will present the award. M.A.C. Cosmetics is the Official Cocktail Reception Sponsor.
The Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild‘s Lifetime Achievement Award is given to those artists whose body of work in the film industry consistently enhances make-up and hair styling artistry, creating memorable characters throughout their career. Past recipients of the Make-Up Artist Lifetime Achievement Award are Daniel Striepeke (2004), Jack Pierce (2003), John Chambers (2002), Bob Schiffer (2001) and Monty Westmore (2000).
“Rarely have there been make-up artists with the legendary inventiveness, creativity and artistic excellence of Dick Smith,” said Cabral-Ebert. “Dick’s transparency and willingness to share the secrets of the craft have been the catalyst for young make-up artists all over the world to follow their imaginations and dreams. His encouragement and support have led so many to incredible make-up careers. It is with great honor and heartfelt thanks that Local 706 honors ‘one of its own,’ the legendary Dick Smith.”
Smith’s distinguished work has garnered him an Honorary Academy Award® in 2012, having previously won both the Academy Award® and the BAFTA Award for Amadeus (shared with Paul LeBlanc, 1985) and he was nominated for an Oscar® for Dad (shared with Ken Diaz and Greg Nelson, 1990). Smith won a Primetime Emmy® for Individual Achievements in Art Direction and Allied Crafts – Make-up for Mark Twain Tonight! (1967), and was nominated for North and South (shared with Alan Fama and Rod Wilson, 1986), Harry S. Truman: PlainSpeaking (1977) and The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1968). The Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films honored Smith with their Saturn Award for Scanners and Altered States (tied, 1981), along with nominations for Death Becomes Her(Shared with Kevin Haney, 1993), The Hunger (Shared with Carl Fullerton, 1984) and The Sentinel (1978), as well as the Golden Scroll forThe Exorcist (1975).
Smith worked on numerous award-winning films, including Taxi Driver (1976), The Exorcist (1973), and both The Godfather (1972) and The Godfather Part 2 (1974), among many others. Considered to be television’s first important make-up artist, Smith was the make-up director for NBC from 1945 to 1959, where he developed many new materials and pioneered such techniques as the use of foam latex and plastics in unusual quick changes for television shows. Smith attended the Wooster School and Yale University.
Rick Baker has won seven Academy-Awards® and been nominated for five others. He has won a Primetime Emmy® Award, three BAFTA Awards, Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films Awards, the Eyegore Awards, and has twice received the Best Special Make-up Effects – Feature award from the Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild. Among his other numerous nominations, Baker has a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Members will be honored at this event for outstanding achievement in motion pictures, television, commercials and live theater.
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