According to Deadline, Gary Smith (The Judy Garland Show, The 51st Annual Tony Awards), producer of TV specials and awards shows for performers including Neil Diamond, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Luciano Pavarotti, Dolly Parton, Steve Lawrence, Sammy Davis Jr., Eydie Gormé, and many more, has unfortunately passed away Friday, July 18, in Los Angeles. A spokesperson for his family announced his death; he was 90 years old. 

Smith was nominated for 30 primetime Emmy Awards, eight of which he won, and he, alongside his business partner Dwight Hemion (Peter Pan, My Name Is Barbra) created the production team Smith-Hemion Productions in the early 1960s. Together, they developed a mechanism of bringing innovation, artistry, and elegance into the world of variety and music specials. This partnership ended in 2001, Deadline notes.

He produced the first TV specials for Bette Midler and Paul McCartney, as well as the final TV performances of Bing Crosby (White Christmas, High Society) and Elvis Presley (Blue Hawaii, Jailhouse Rock). Smith’s collaborations with Barbra Streisand (Yentl, A Star is Born) resulted in her most iconic televised events, such as her 1973 special Barbra Streisand and Other Musical Instruments, Deadline adds. 

Smith was born in 1935, and he graduated from Carnegie Tech (now Carnegie Mellon University) with a degree in scenic design. His career began in 1956 at CBS as an art director, a role that cooperated with his theatrical training and good visual instincts. He served as art director on The Judy Garland Show in 1963, and later took over as producer. Two years later, Deadline mentions, he produced Hullabaloo, as well as variety series that features performances from Simon & Garfunkel, The Rolling Stones, The Who, The Supremes, Sonny & Cher, and others. 

In the live television realm, Smith produced four Emmy telecasts, six Tony Awards broadcasts, the Disney Teacher Awards, and the People’s Choice Awards. Included in his eight Emmys were the 1995 Barbra Streisand The Concert, 1971 special Singer Presents Burt Bacharach, the 1997 Tony Awards, and the 1978 Midler special Ol’ Red Hair is Back, Deadline states. 

In 2002, Smith’s alma mater honored him with the distinguished Life Achievement Award, an award shared by only three other drama alumni in more than 50 years. Furthermore, his Smith-Hemion partnership accumulated 24 Emmys, Deadline adds. 

Smith was Executive Producer of the AFI Life Achievement Award tributes to Tom Hanks (Forrest Gump, A Man Called Otto) and Barbra Streisand, The I Love Lucy 50th Anniversary Special, The NFL’s 75th Anniversary, and others, Deadline says. Other credits of his include Uptown at Harlem’s Apollo Theater, Kraft Music Hall, and Rockette: A Holiday Tribute to Radio City Music Hall. 

He is survived by his wife Maxine and their twin sons, Jake and Zack. His children from a previous marriage, Daisy, Sam, and Doug, as well as his five grandchildren, Sienna, Spencer, Ryan, Charlotte, and Jasper, remember him with love. He is also survived by his daughters-in-law, Leah Smith (married to Zack) and Brett Smith (married to Jake), as mentioned by Deadline. 

A public memorial and celebration of life will occur on Saturday, September 20, in addition to a private funeral service that will be held July 22. More details will be announced in the next few weeks. Moreover, donations may be made to SHARE, Inc., whose mission he supported with joy and passion, Deadline finally notes. 

More information regarding Smith’s life of achievements can be found on Deadline.