Oscar Smith (actor) facts for kids

Oscar Smith (1885–1956) was an American actor who worked in Hollywood, the famous movie-making city. He was part of Paramount Pictures from the 1920s through the 1940s. Back then, many black actors like Oscar often appeared in movies without their names being shown in the credits. People knew him for being short, looking young (he was even called "The Cute Kid"), and for having a stutter.

About Oscar Smith

His Early Life and Start in Hollywood

Oscar Smith was born in Topeka, Kansas. His parents were Scott Smith and Sarah Jones. Around 1919, Oscar got a job at Paramount Pictures. He worked as a personal assistant and shoe-shiner for a famous actor named Wallace Reid. Oscar and Wallace first met when Oscar was shining shoes in a barber shop in Los Angeles.

Oscar and his wife, Nora, even lived with the Reids for a while when they were working for them. When Wallace Reid passed away, he made sure to include Oscar in his will. He said that Oscar should be given a shoe-shine stand at Paramount for the rest of Oscar's life. This was a very kind gesture!

From Shoeshiner to Movie Star

Oscar's shoe-shine stand was placed right inside the studio gates on Bronson Avenue. It became a well-known spot where people could hear all the latest news and rumors about Hollywood. Being in this important spot helped Oscar get many small acting roles in Paramount movies. When Oscar went to act on set, his cousin would take care of the shoe-shine stand.

In 1928, Oscar showed how talented he was in a movie called The Canary Murder Case. Because of his great acting, he signed a long-term contract to be an actor. This was a very big deal, as it was the first time a black performer had signed such a contract at Paramount.

Helping Other Actors in Hollywood

Oscar also spent time helping other black actors who were just starting their careers. He worked as an agent for them, helping them find jobs. He was also a member of the Make-Up Artists Guild, which is a group for people who do makeup for movies. Oscar is known for working on the makeup for black actors on the set of the 1943 film Happy Go Lucky.

Movies Oscar Smith Appeared In

Oscar Smith appeared in many films throughout his career. Here are some of them:

• Double Indemnity (1944)
• Henry Aldrich Plays Cupid (1944)
• The Good Fellows (1943)
• Henry Aldrich Gets Glamour (1943)
• Here We Go Again (1942)
• This Gun for Hire (1942)
• The Fleet's In (1942)
• Nothing But the Truth (1941)
• The Monster and the Girl (1941)
• The Way of All Flesh (1940)
• Tom Sawyer, Detective (1938)
• The Texans (1938)
• Scandal Street (1938)
• Hold 'Em Navy (1937)
• She Asked for It (1937)
• Sophie Lang Goes West (1937)
• Rhythm on the Range (1936)
• Florida Special (1936)
• The Milky Way (1936)
• Exclusive Story (1936)
• College Scandal (1935)
• So Red the Rose (1935)
• Hold 'Em Yale (1935)
• Stolen Harmony (1935)
• Mississippi (1935)
• Broadway Bill (1934)
• Ready for Love (1934)
• She Loves Me Not (1934)
• The Old Fashioned Way (1934)
• The Witching Hour (1934)
• Too Much Harmony (1933)
• Cocktail Hour (1933)
• Night of Terror (1933)
• No Man of Her Own (1932)
• Thirteen Women (1932)
• Guilty as Hell (1932)
• Madame Racketeer (1932)
• By Whose Hand? (1932)
• State's Attorney (1932)
• A Holy Terror (1931)
• Quick Millions (1931)
• Finn and Hattie (1931)
• Sheer Luck (1931)
• Let's Go Native (1930)
• Shadow of the Law (1930)
• Darkened Rooms (1929)
• Dangerous Curves (1929)
• Thunderbolt (1929)
• Close Harmony (1929)
• The Canary Murder Case (1929)
• Bitter Sweets (1928)
• Hold 'Em Yale (1928)
• Midnight Madness (1928)
• Beau Sabreur (1928)
• The Wizard (1927)
• Man Power (1927)
• The Marriage Clause (1926)
• For Heaven's Sake (1926)
• The Golden Strain (1925)
• The Freshman (1925)