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A collection of 26 lifecasts from molds of renowned makeup artist Dick Smith was created by Smith. Lifecasts like these were often created to test special effects prosthetics and makeup. These casts were made over the course of Smith's career.
Over the course of his five-decade-plus career, Smith received two Academy Awards®, including an Honorary Academy Award® for "his unparalleled mastery of texture, shade, form and illusion" in makeup artistry; the only such award to be given for an entire body of makeup work, rather than a specific project. He also received four Emmy Award® nominations, winning one for the CBS special Mark Twain Tonight! Additionally, Smith received a Lifetime Achievement Award® from the Makeup & Hair Stylists Guild for his contributions to the art of makeup.
This collection of 26 original casts originates from the collection of Dick Smith. They consist of:
17 plaster casts of Laurence Olivier, Jack Nicholson, Art Garfunkel, Jason Robards, Gregory Peck, Jack Palance, Anthony Quinn, Claire Bloom, Jack Gilford, Fritz Weaver, Julie Harris, Jim Backus, Hal Holbrook, Phil Silvers, Charles Laughton, Zero Mostel, John Carradine, and Boris Karloff, as well as one additional plaster cast.
A foam cast of Katherine Hepburn backed with wood.
A resin cast of Rutger Hauer backed with wood.
A cement cast of Elizabeth Taylor hand-marked "Liz Taylor" on the back.
Two fiberglass casts of Vincent Price at different ages.
A rubber mask hand-marked "Bela Lugosi Mask Sculpted by Henry Alvarez 1990."
A mold hand-marked "Karloff."
A silicone insert.
Of the plaster lifecasts, more than half are hand-marked with the name of the actor captured. This lot shows wear consistent with on-set use, handling, and age. Dimensions: (largest) 13" x 7.5" x 8.5" (33 cm x 19 cm x 21.5 cm)
Estimate: $1,500 - 3,000
View all lots from DICK SMITH
View all lots from Dick Smith Collection
Regarded as "The Godfather of Makeup," renowned special makeup effects artist and author Richard Emerson Smith, known professionally as Dick Smith, was a pre-med student at Yale University when he encountered the theatrical makeup book Paint, Powder and Makeup that changed the trajectory of his life. After serving in the U.S. Army during World War II, Smith began his illustrious career in television as the first makeup director of WNBC. Entirely self-taught, Smith pioneered the development of prosthetic and practical makeup with techniques that are now considered the standard in film and television, such as making prosthetics in multiple pieces to allow actors full range of facial expression. He is also credited with creating realistic age makeup as an alternative to prosthetics, blending special effects with hidden bladders and squibs, and for innovating the combination of makeup with on-set "practical" effects, as seen in William Friedkin's The Exorcist (1973).
In a time where makeup artists were secretive about their techniques and unions purposely suppressed the sharing of knowledge, Smith proved to be a generous soul, mentoring and training many younger artists who went on to accomplished careers in cinema, including Rick Baker, Mike Marino, Greg Cannom, and many more. Smith went as far as publishing an instructional book in 1965 titled Dick Smith's Do-It-Yourself Monster Make-up Handbook as a special edition of Forrest J. Ackerman's "Famous Monsters of Filmland" series.
With a career that spanned over six decades, Smith is today best known for his work on such classics as Little Big Man (1970), The Godfather (1972), Taxi Driver (1976), Altered States (1980), Scanners (1981), The Hunger (1983), Starman (1984), and Death Becomes Her (1992). In 1985, he won an Academy Award® for Best Makeup for his work on Amadeus, as well as a BAFTA® the following year. He was honored by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences twice with special tribute ceremonies in 2009 and again in 2011, the latter including an Honorary Academy Award® presented by his most acclaimed protégé, Rick Baker. Smith left an indelible legacy in film and television, represented by a curated collection he carefully maintained throughout his career. Propstore is pleased to present these select artifacts from this legendary artist's personal collection, reflecting a distinguished career spanning decades in Hollywood and beyond.
This item comes with a Propstore Certificate of Authenticity.