Tag Archives: Dick Smith

It was wonderful to see ‘the Godfather of makeup’, Mr. Dick Smith, honored during the In Memoriam tribute at the 2015 Oscar Awards. His image and sketches of his most famous creations, including a possessed Regan MacNeil, went to air. Dick Smith passed away on July 30 2014 in Los …

Reflecting on the life and career of make-up artist Dick Smith following the news of his passing, it’s humbling to watch his heartwarming acceptance speech from 2011 when The Academy honored him with a Governors Award— the very highest and most prestigious type of Oscar. The Oscar is presented by an emotional Rick Baker, who …

Deeply saddened to learn of the passing of “The Godfather of Make-Up” Dick Smith on Wednesday, 30 July 2014, aged 92. He was responsible for the groundbreaking special effects make-up seen in The Exorcist; turning little Linda Blair into a possessed demon and precisely aging Max von Sydow several decades. …

The Oscars official YouTube channel has uploaded Linda Blair’s heartwarming tribute speech to make-up artist Dick Smith at the 2011 Governors Awards. Dick Smith received an honorary Oscar on the night for his illustrious career and groundbreaking achievements in make-up special effects. The award was presented to him by Rick …

Many Exorcist fans have been saddened by the passing of visual effects specialist Marcel Vercoutere, who worked on The Exorcist during the film’s production in 1972/3. Marcel died on April 13, 2013. Like me, most fans would have first been exposed to Marcel through the 1998 documentary The Fear of …

This year’s Halloween treat has come early, fellow Exorcist fans, thanks to anonymous source and the masters of horror news, Bloody-Disgusting. They have recently published the first clips of newly discovered test footage filmed ahead of principal photography. The built sets can be seen (Regan’s bedroom) and Linda Blair appears …

Comic-Con 2010 is currently under-way in San Diego and a few bloggers who are lucky enough to be there in person have trickled some neat Exorcist-related tidbits online. First, JJ Abrams sat on a panel today and discussed his upcoming projects (including horror film Super 8) and was asked about any cool pieces of …

I don’t think anyone had an inkling, back when The Exorcist was first released, that the controversial subliminal images of Captain Howdy flashing up on the screen were actually the face of a female. I’ve always been of the understanding that Eileen Dietz was hired to be Linda Blair’s body double for the …

I just received this photograph of some rare Exorcist items via email from Exorcist Fansite member Hatter76: “…here is a Pic of some Exorcist relics, Demon Tongue and a Merrin Cheek. I believe this Picture was at a Make-up Effects event/convention in LA, I know dick Smith was there!” The …

With fellow Academy Award winner and former student Rick Baker acting as the Master of Ceremonies, Dick Smith‘s illustrious career will be honored by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science with a special event being held June 17 2009 in the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Los Angeles. Dick …

World renowned actor Max von Sydow was just 42 years old when he began production on The Exorcist, bringing the character of Father Merrin to life. Famously aged by make-up artist Dick Smith to look many years older, Max delivered one of the finest performances of his stellar career. Today, …