Pete Smith

Pete Smith

Stars

Pete Smith
Film: West side of the 1600 block of Vine Street
Producer
Born Peter Schmidt on Sept. 4, 1892 in New York, NY
Died Jan. 12, 1979 of suicide by leaping from a roof in Santa Monica, CA

Pete Smith was a producer and narrator of short comedies that amused film audiences for a generation.

The wry-voiced former press agent began producing "Pete Smith Specialties" for Metro-Goldwyn Mayer in 1935 and put out 10 to 18 annually over the next 20 years.The subjects of these one-reelers varied widely, including the animal world and the latest technologies. His comedies earned him Oscars in 1937 and 1940, and he received an honorary award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 1953.

Born in New York in 1892, he broke into show business as an aide in a vaudeville performers union. Later, he became a trade magazine editor, critic and press agent.

— Los Angeles Times Jan. 14, 1979

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    Academy Awards

    Year Category Work
    1932 Best Short Subject - Novelty Menu Nomination
    1934 Best Short Subject - Novelty Strikes and Spares Nomination
    1935 Best Short Subject - Novelty Audioscopiks Nomination
    1936 Best Short Subject - One Reel Wanted, a Master Nomination
    1937 Best Short Subject - Color Penny Wisdom Win
    1937 Best Short Subject - One Reel Romance of Radium Nomination
    1940 Best Short Subject - One Reel Quicker 'N a Wink Win
    1941 Best Short Subject - One Reel Army Champions Nomination
    1942 Best Short Subject - One Reel Marines in the Making Nomination
    1943 Best Short Subject - One Reel Seeing Hands Nomination
    1944 Best Short Subject - One Reel Movie Pests Nomination
    1946 Best Short Subject - One Reel Sure Cures Nomination
    1947 Best Short Subject - One Reel Now You See It Nomination
    1948 Best Short Subject - One Reel You Can't Win Nomination
    1949 Best Short Subject - One Reel Water Trix Nomination
    1950 Best Short Subject - One Reel Wrong Way Butch Nomination
    1953 Honorary Award Win

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