Oscar Smith was an American actor who is best known for his roles in The Wizard, College Scandal, and Close Harmony. Born on October 28, 1885, in Topeka, Kansas, he made significant contributions to the film industry before his death on March 18, 1956, in Los Angeles, California.
Personal and Family Life
Oscar Smith was married to Nora LaVertt, and they had one child together. Not much is publicly known about his family life, but his marriage appears to have been an important part of his personal history.
Career
Smith’s career in acting began when he came to Paramount Pictures around 1920 as a personal attendant to movie star Wallace Reid. He appeared in various films, often in uncredited roles. Some of his notable works include The Wizard, Close Harmony, and College Scandal.
Death and Legacy
Oscar Smith passed away on March 18, 1956, in Los Angeles, California. He left behind a legacy as one of the notable African-American actors of his time, participating in a film industry that was evolving in terms of diversity and representation.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| No Man of Her Own | 1932-12-30 | Porter (uncredited) |
| Midnight Madness | 1928-03-25 | Manubo |
| Tom Sawyer, Detective | 1938-12-24 | Curfew |
| Finn and Hattie | 1931-02-04 | Colored Man |
| A Holy Terror | 1931-07-19 | Stuttering Servant (uncredited) |
| Hold ‘Em Yale | 1928-05-14 | Black Butler |
| The Marriage Clause | 1926-09-12 | Sam |
| Double Indemnity | 1944-07-06 | Pullman Porter (uncredited) |
| Shadow of the Law | 1930-06-06 | Elevator Operator |
| Darkened Rooms | 1929-11-23 | Oscar |
| Too Much Harmony | 1933-09-23 | Oscar – Eddie’s Valet |
| The Canary Murder Case | 1929-02-16 | Stuttering Hallboy (uncredited) |
| Stolen Harmony | 1935-04-20 | Prison Chimist (uncredited) |
| She Loves Me Not | 1934-08-31 | Henchman in Car |
| The Wizard | 1927-11-27 | Sam |
| Close Harmony | 1929-04-12 | George Washington Brown |
| This Gun for Hire | 1942-04-24 | Train Porter (uncredited) |
| Let’s Go Native | 1930-08-15 | Cook (uncredited) |
| Quick Millions | 1931-04-17 | Oscar, Bugs’ Valet (uncredited) |
| The Way of All Flesh | 1940-07-05 | Porter |
| Rhythm on the Range | 1936-07-01 | Waiter |
| Madame Racketeer | 1932-07-23 | Train Porter |
| The Fleet’s In | 1942-01-24 | Valet |
| Beau Sabreur | 1928-01-22 | Djikki |
| Night of Terror | 1933-04-23 | Martin |
| The Freshman | 1925-09-20 | Dean’s Chauffeur (uncredited) |
| Behind the Counter | 1928-03-03 | The Chauffeur |
| By Whose Hand? | 1932-07-06 | Pullman Porter (uncredited) |
| The Golden Strain | 1925-12-27 | Snowball |
| Man Power | 1927-07-09 | Ptomaine |
| High C’s | 1930-12-27 | Negro Soldier |
| For Heaven’s Sake | 1926-04-05 | James |
| Thirteen Women | 1932-09-16 | Train Porter (uncredited) |
| Nothing But the Truth | 1941-10-10 | Shoeshine Boy (uncredited) |