Pete Smith (film Producer)

Pete Smith (film Producer)

Pete Smith (September 4, 1892 – January 12, 1979) was an American publicist and short subject producer and narrator.

A native of New York City, Smith began working as a publicist at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in the 1920s. He later moved into film making. He is best known for his series of shorts, the Pete Smith Specialties, which were in production from the 1930s to the 1950s. Smith produced and narrated over 150 shorts which earned him two Best Live Action Short Film Academy Awards. In 1953, he was awarded an Academy Honorary Award for his short films.

Smith's later years were spent in a Santa Monica convalescent home due to his ill health. In January 1979, Smith jumped to his death from the roof of the home.