Born Richard Emerson Smith in Larchmont, NY; educated at Wooster School and Yale University. At Yale, Smith studied as a premedical student, to enter dentistry, and he majored in zoology. But in his sophomore year he read a book on the tricks of make-up used by Hollywood experts during the filming of THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME (1939) and DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE (1941). He soon began to do make-up for the Yale drama group and decided to pursue a career in theatrical makeup when he graduated. Television's first important make-up artist, Smith was make-up director for the National Broadcasting Company for fourteen years (1945-1959). He developed many new materials and shades of color and pioneered in such techniques as the use of foam latex and plastics in unusual quick changes for both color and black-and-white TV shows. Registered a Democrat, Smith was in charge of TV make-up for the Democratic National Convention in 1948 and made up James A. Farley and Franklin D. Roosevelt Jr. Smith entered American film in 1948 (CALL NORTHSIDE 777). Other notable (non-nominated) credits include REQUIEM FOR A HEAVYWEIGHT (1962), THE CARDINAL (1963), THE WORLD OF HENRY ORIENT (1964), MIDNIGHT COWBOY (1969), LITTLE BIG MAN (1970 - Dustin Hoffman), THE GODFATHER (1972), THE EXORCIST (1973), THE GODFATHER: PART II (1974), THE STEPFORD WIVES (1975), TAXI DRIVER and MARATHON MAN (both 1976), THE SENTINEL and EXORCIST II: THE HERETIC (both 1977), THE DEER HUNTER (1978), ALTERED STATES (1980), SCANNERS, GHOST STORY and THE FAN (all 1981), THE HUNGER (1983), POLTERGEIST III and EVERYBODY'S ALL-AMERICAN (both 1988), TALES FROM THE DARKSIDE: THE MOVIE (1990), DEATH BECOMES HER and FOREVER YOUNG (both 1992), BETRAYAL OF THE DOVE (1993), and HOUSE ON HAUNTED HILL (1999). While many makeup artists are secretive about their techniques, Smith is known for openly sharing his knowledge with others.  Best Achievement in Make-Up 1984: AMADEUS (w. Paul LeBlanc)  Nominated for Achievement in Make-Up 1989: DAD (w. Ken Diaz & Greg Nelson) 2 nominations, 1 Award