The ‘Godfather of Make-up’ Dick Smith has passed away, aged 92.

A pioneer in the field of stage and screen prosthetics, he developed the technique of applying small pieces of the make-up designs as opposed to a full, solid piece. His influence is felt throughout the industry, with many of the big names crediting him as their inspiration. 

As well as his work on screen, he opened his own training program, and published ‘How To’ books and even had a spin-off children’s Horror Make-Up Set in the ’70s.

Among his most famous work are films such as THE EXORCIST, THE GODFATHER, ALTERED STATES, and GHOST STORY.

One of his specialties was aging characters, which he did so wonderfully by LITTLE BIG MAN, in which he turned a 33-year-old Dustin Hoffman into a wizened 121-year-old. Similar effects in AMADEUS would gain him an Oscar in 1983. He also received an Honorary Academy Award for his life’s work in 2012.

Richard Emerson ‘Dick’ Smith, we salute you and all your achievements.

All at STARBURST send our sympathies to his family and friends.

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