Noted American character actor and producer/director of great renown, he was a third-generation Kansan, born and raised in the charming city of Hutchinson, Kansas. His parents, Delos V. Smith and Bessie Bloom, instilled in him a love for the performing arts from a young age.
With academic prowess, he earned the esteemed distinction of being a Phi Beta Kappa at the University of Kansas, where he also participated in the inaugural Round the World University Afloat program. His thirst for knowledge led him to attend graduate school at the prestigious Harvard University, the Sorbonne, and College de France.
Throughout his illustrious career, he remained deeply involved in the performing arts, initially serving as the impresario of the General Motors Symphony of the Air radio show from 1930 to 1936. He then went on to hone his craft as a singer in numerous opera companies, gracing the stages of Broadway, London, and Hollywood.
With a career spanning decades, he acted, produced, and directed in a multitude of productions, leaving an indelible mark on the entertainment industry. Following his retirement in 1981, he returned to his roots in Hutchinson, Kansas, where he spent the final two decades of his life studying at Hutchinson Community College.
At the time of his passing, he left behind no immediate survivors, leaving behind a legacy that will forever be remembered in the world of entertainment.
