Pete Smith
- Known for
- Acting
- Born
- September 4, 1892
- Died
- January 12, 1979 (aged 86)
- Birthplace
- New York City, New York, USA
Biography
Born Peter Schmidt in New York City, Pete Smith got a job after graduating business college with The Player magazine and later with Billboard magazine. That led to his being hired as a publicist for Famous Players-Lasky and Artcraft Pictures, and he was later appointed publicity director at Paramount Pictures. Director Marshall Neilan hired Smith to be the publicist for his own production company, and Smith left New York for Hollywood. After Neilan's company closed, Smith freelanced for a short period before being hired by MGM in 1925 as the head of its publicity department, a position he held until 1930. The job that really brought him recognition, however, was his producing, writing and narrating a series of shorts known as "Pete Smith Specialties" for MGM. The one-reelers covered just about every subject imaginable, from the animal world to the latest technology to how to handle annoying patrons in movie theaters, all delivered with Smith's trademark wry, bemused narration. Many of the later shorts were written and directed by actor Dave O'Brien, using the name David Barclay. Sixteen entries in the series were nominated for Oscars, and two of them won. The series came to an end in 1954, though there were enough made to continue releasing into 1955. Smith's later years were plagued by bad health, and he spent more and more time being hospitalized. In 1979, with his health deteriorating rapidly, he committed suicide by jumping out of the window of his ninth-floor hospital room. He was 86 years old.
Known For
Photos
Filmography
Football Thrills of 1939
Movie · as Narrator
Added Attractions: The Hollywood Shorts Story
Movie · as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
The Fall Guy
Movie · as Narrator (voice)
Just What I Needed
Movie · as Narrator
The Man Around the House
Movie · as Narrator (voice)
Animals in Action
Movie · as Narrator (voice)
MGM Parade
TV · as Self · 3 eps
Film Antics
Movie · as Narrator
Out for Fun
Movie · as Narrator
Ain't It Aggravatin'
Movie · as Narrator (voice)
Do Someone a Favor!
Movie · as Narrator (voice)
Rough Riding
Movie · as Narrator
The Camera Caught It
Movie · as Narrator
Fish Tales
Movie · as Narrator (voice)
Things We Can Do Without
Movie · as Narrator (voice)
Cash Stashers
Movie · as Narrator (voice)
Dogs 'n Ducks
Movie · as Narrator (voice)
This Is a Living?
Movie · as Narrator (voice)
The Mosconi Story
Movie · as Narrator
Reducing
Movie · as Narrator (voice)
Musiquiz
Movie · as Narrator (voice)
Fishing Feats
Movie · as Narrator (voice)
Camera Sleuth
Movie · as Narrator (voice)
Bargain Madness
Movie · as Narrator (voice)
Did'ja Know?
Movie · as Narrator (voice)
A Wife's Life
Movie · as Narrator (voice)
Wrong Way Butch
Movie · as Narrator (voice)
Crashing the Movies
Movie · as Narrator (voice)
Curious Contests
Movie · as Narrator (voice) (as a Smith named Pete)
Pest Control
Movie · as Narrator
Those Good Old Days
Movie · as Narrator
Super Cue Men
Movie · as Narrator
We Can Dream, Can't We?
Movie · as Narrator
Water Trix
Movie · as Narrator (voice)
Sports Oddities
Movie · as Narrator
Let's Cogitate
Movie · as Narrator (voice
I Love My Mother-In-Law But...
Movie · as Narrator (voice)
You Can't Win
Movie · as Narrator (voice)
Just Suppose
Movie · as Narrator (voice)
Ice Aces
Movie · as Narrator (voice)
Bowling Tricks
Movie · as Narrator(voice)
Neighbor Pests
Movie · as Narrator
Diamond Demon
Movie · as Narrator (voice)
I Love My Wife BUT!
Movie · as Narrator (voice)
Athletiquiz: What's Your I.Q.? No. 12
Movie · as Narrator
Have You Ever Wondered?
Movie · as Narrator (voice)
Now You See It
Movie · as Narrator (voice)
Football Thrills No. 10
Movie
Surfboard Rhythm
Movie · as Narrator
I Love My Husband, But!
Movie · as Narrator (voice)
Sure Cures
Movie · as Narrator (voice)
Equestrian Quiz: What's Your I.Q.? No. 11
Movie · as Narrator (voice)
Gettin' Glamour
Movie · as Narrator (voice)
Treasures from Trash
Movie · as Narrator (voice)
Studio Visit
Movie · as Narrator (voice)
Fala at Hyde Park
Movie · as Narrator
Football Thrills No. 9
Movie · as Narrator
Guest Pests
Movie · as Narrator
Hollywood Scout
Movie · as Narrator / Chimp (voice)
The Great Morgan
Movie · as Narrator in 'Badminton' (voice) (archive footage) (uncredited)
Football Thrills of 1944
Movie · as Narrator
Badminton
Movie · as Narrator (voice)
Movie Pests
Movie · as Narrator (voice)
Groovie Movie
Movie · as Narrator
Safety Sleuth
Movie · as Pete Smith - Narrator
Sportsman's Memories
Movie · as Narrator (voice)
Home Maid
Movie · as Narrator
Football Thrills of 1943
Movie · as Narrator
Water Wisdom
Movie · as Narrator(voice)
Fala: The President's Dog
Movie · as Narrator - Host
Hollywood Daredevils
Movie · as Narrator
Seeing Hands
Movie · as Narrator (voice) (uncredited)
Seventh Column
Movie · as Narrator (voice)
Football Thrills of 1942
Movie · as Narrator
The Tree in a Test Tube
Movie · as as Interlocutor (voice)
Acro-Batty
Movie · as Narrator
Victory Quiz
Movie
Calling All Pa's
Movie · as Narrator (voice)
Marines in the Making
Movie · as Narrator (voice)
Aqua Antics
Movie · as Narrator (voice)
What About Daddy?
Movie · as Narrator
Football Thrills of 1941
Movie · as Narrator
Third Dimensional Murder
Movie · as Narrator (voice)
Fancy Answers
Movie · as Narrator (voice)
Aeronutics
Movie · as Narrator (voice)
How to Hold Your Husband - BACK
Movie · as Narrator (voice)
Lions on the Loose
Movie · as Narrator (voice)
Flicker Memories
Movie · as Narrator (voice)
Army Champions
Movie · as Narrator (voice)
Football Thrills of 1940
Movie · as Narrator
Water Bugs
Movie · as Narrator (voice)
Cuban Rhythm
Movie · as Narrator (voice)
Memory Tricks
Movie
Penny To the Rescue
Movie · as Narrator
Stuffie
Movie
Wedding Bills
Movie · as Narrator (voice)
'What's Your 'I.Q.'?': Number Two
Movie · as Narrator (voice)
Quicker'n a Wink
Movie · as Narrator (voice)
The Domineering Male
Movie · as Narrator (voice)
Spots Before Your Eyes
Movie · as Narrator
Maintain the Right
Movie · as Narrator
Social Sea Lions
Movie · as Narrator
Please Answer (I.Q. #3)
Movie · as Narrator
Marine Circus
Movie · as Narrator
Double Diving
Movie · as Narrator
Let's Talk Turkey
Movie · as Narrator
Radio Hams
Movie · as Narrator (voice)
Set 'em Up
Movie · as Narrator
Take a Cue
Movie · as Narrator (voice)
Weather Wizards
Movie · as Narrator (voice)
Heroes at Leisure
Movie · as Narrator (voice)
Poetry of Nature
Movie · as Narrator (voice) (uncredited)
Culinary Carving
Movie · as Narrator
Football Thrills of 1938
Movie · as Narrator
The New Audioscopiks
Movie · as Narrator
Fisticuffs
Movie · as Narrator (voice)
Three on a Rope
Movie · as Narrator
Penny's Party
Movie · as Narrator
Anaesthesia
Movie · as Narrator
Football Thrills of 1937
Movie · as Narrator
Grid Rules
Movie · as Narrator
Hot on Ice
Movie · as Narrator
Man's Greatest Friend
Movie · as Narrator
Penny's Picnic
Movie
Romance of Radium
Movie · as Narrator (voice)
Penny Wisdom
Movie · as Narrator (voice)
Friend Indeed
Movie · as Narrator
Pigskin Champions
Movie · as Narrator (voice)
The Grand Bounce
Movie · as Narrator (voice) (uncredited)
Candid Cameramaniacs
Movie · as Narrator
Bar-Rac's Night Out
Movie · as Narrator (voice)
Equestrian Acrobats
Movie · as Narrator (voice)
Dexterity
Movie · as Narrator
Killer Dog
Movie · as Narrator (voice)
Hurling
Movie · as Narrator
The Jonker Diamond
Movie · as Narrator (voice)
Let's Dance
Movie · as Narrator (voice)
Wanted - A Master
Movie · as Narrator (voice) / Dog (voice)
Harnessed Rhythm
Movie · as Narrator (voice)
Donkey Baseball
Movie · as Narrator (voice)
Water Sports
Movie · as Narrator (voice)
Audioscopiks
Movie · as Commentator (voice)
La Fiesta de Santa Barbara
Movie · as Narrator (voice)
Trained Hoofs
Movie · as Narrator (voice)
Goofy Movies Number Seven
Movie · as Narrator (voice)
Strikes and Spares
Movie · as Narrator (voice)
Goofy Movies Number Two
Movie · as Narrator (voice)
Goofy Movies Number Three
Movie · as Narrator (voice)
Goofy Movies Number Four
Movie · as Narrator (voice)
Goofy Movies Number Five
Movie · as Narrator (voice)
Goofy Movies Number Six
Movie · as Narrator (voice)
Goofy Movies Number Eight
Movie · as Narrator (voice)
Goofy Movies Number Nine
Movie · as Narrator (voice)
Goofy Movies Number Ten
Movie · as Narrator (voice)
Roping Wild Bears
Movie · as Narrator (voice)
Manhattan Melodrama
Movie · as Racetrack Announcer (Voice) (uncredited)
Pro Football
Movie · as Narrator (voice)
Throttle Pushers
Movie · as Narrator(voice)
Inflation
Movie · as Narrator (voice)
Menu
Movie · as Narrator (voice)
Goofy Movies Number One
Movie · as Narrator (voice)
Handlebars
Movie · as Narrator (voice)
Fine Feathers
Movie · as Narrator
Swing High
Movie · as Narrator (voice)
Snow Birds
Movie · as Narrator (voice)
Microscopic Mysteries
Movie · as Narrator (voice)
Color Scales
Movie · as Narrator (voice)
Desert Regatta
Movie · as Narrator (voice)
Olympic Events
Movie · as Narrator (voice)
Trout Fishing
Movie · as Self
Trader Hound
Movie · as Narrator (voice) (uncredited)
Wild and Woolly
Movie · as Narrator (voice)