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Gary Smith, Master Producer of TV Entertainment, Dies at 90

Gary Smith, Producer Who Shaped Television Variety Shows and Spectacles, Dies at 89

Gary Smith, a visionary television producer whose innovative work on variety specials, award shows and grand-scale events helped define the golden age of broadcast entertainment, died on Wednesday in Los Angeles. He was 89.

His death was confirmed by his longtime producing partner and friend, Dwight Hemion, who said Mr. Smith had been battling complications from a recent stroke. The two had collaborated for over five decades, creating some of the most memorable moments in television history.

Mr. Smith's career spanned more than 60 years, during which he produced hundreds of programs that blended music, comedy, dance and spectacle. He was perhaps best known for his work on "The Judy Garland Show" in the 1960s, a CBS variety series that showcased the legendary singer in her prime, and for producing Elvis Presley's iconic 1968 comeback special, which revitalized the King's career and became a cultural touchstone. But his influence extended far beyond individual stars; Mr. Smith was a master at orchestrating large-scale productions that captured the zeitgeist, from presidential inaugurations to Olympic ceremonies and Emmy Awards broadcasts.

Born Gary Morton Smith on Feb. 4, 1936, in Baltimore, Maryland, he grew up in a working-class family where entertainment was a rare luxury. His father was a factory worker, and his mother a homemaker, but young Gary found solace in the flickering glow of early television sets and the magic of radio broadcasts. "I remember sneaking downstairs to watch 'The Ed Sullivan Show' when I was supposed to be asleep," he recalled in a 2010 interview with the Television Academy. "It was like a window to another world, full of glamour and possibility."

Mr. Smith's path to television began modestly. After graduating from the University of Maryland with a degree in theater arts in 1958, he moved to New York City, where he worked as a production assistant on local variety programs. His big break came in 1960 when he joined CBS as a junior producer. There, he met Dwight Hemion, a director with a keen eye for visual storytelling, and the two formed an unbreakable partnership. "Gary had the ideas, the grand visions," Mr. Hemion said in a statement. "I made sure they looked as spectacular on screen as they did in his mind."

Their first major collaboration was on "The Judy Garland Show," which aired from 1963 to 1964. The program was a rollercoaster of highs and lows, reflecting Garland's tumultuous personal life, but Mr. Smith's production savvy turned it into a showcase of raw talent. Episodes featured guest stars like Barbra Streisand, Lena Horne and Mickey Rooney, and the show's innovative use of close-ups and staging influenced future variety formats. Though it was canceled after one season due to scheduling conflicts with "Bonanza," it earned Mr. Smith his first Emmy nomination and established him as a producer who could handle high-stakes celebrity egos.

The 1960s were a prolific period for Mr. Smith. He produced "Hullabaloo," NBC's rock 'n' roll variety show that introduced American audiences to British Invasion acts like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. The program's psychedelic sets and energetic dance numbers captured the youth culture explosion, making it a staple for teenagers. "We wanted to make TV feel alive, like a concert in your living room," Mr. Smith said in a 1995 oral history.

But it was the Elvis Presley special in 1968 that cemented his legacy. Titled "Singer Presents...Elvis" (commonly known as the '68 Comeback Special), the program was originally conceived as a Christmas show but evolved under Mr. Smith's guidance into a raw, intimate performance that stripped away the glitz of Presley's movie-star image. Filmed in a small studio with a live audience, it featured Elvis in black leather, sweating through hits like "If I Can Dream" and "Heartbreak Hotel." The special drew over 42% of the viewing audience and is credited with reigniting Presley's career after years of formulaic films. "Gary saw the vulnerability in Elvis and brought it out," said Priscilla Presley in a tribute. "It wasn't just a show; it was a resurrection."

Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Mr. Smith and Mr. Hemion's production company, Smith-Hemion Productions, became synonymous with television extravaganzas. They produced specials for stars like Frank Sinatra, Bette Midler, Neil Diamond and Diana Ross, often incorporating elaborate sets, choreography and guest appearances that pushed the boundaries of what broadcast TV could achieve. One standout was the 1977 "Bing Crosby's Merrie Olde Christmas," which featured a duet between Crosby and David Bowie on "Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy" — a moment Mr. Smith later called "pure serendipity."

Mr. Smith's talents extended to live events. He produced the television broadcasts for several Academy Awards, Emmy Awards and Tony Awards, introducing innovations like multi-camera setups and seamless transitions that made these ceremonies feel cinematic. In 1981, he helmed the inaugural gala for President Ronald Reagan, a star-studded affair with performances by Charlton Heston and Johnny Carson. "Gary turned politics into entertainment without losing the gravity," said former first lady Nancy Reagan in archived comments.

His work on international spectacles was equally groundbreaking. For the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics closing ceremony, Mr. Smith orchestrated a massive production involving Lionel Richie, fireworks and a fleet of illuminated hot air balloons, watched by billions worldwide. He later produced ceremonies for the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Games, blending athleticism with artistic flair. "Television isn't just about capturing the moment; it's about amplifying it," he often said.

Mr. Smith's accolades were numerous. He won 11 Primetime Emmy Awards and was nominated for dozens more. In 2009, he received the Governors Award from the Television Academy for his lifetime contributions. His productions earned Peabody Awards and even influenced pop culture; the Elvis special, for instance, inspired countless biopics and documentaries.

Beyond the glitz, Mr. Smith was known for his meticulous attention to detail and his ability to manage chaos. Colleagues described him as a calm presence amid the storm of egos and deadlines. "He had this quiet intensity," said producer Ken Ehrlich, who worked with him on several Emmy shows. "Gary could spot a lighting cue gone wrong from across the room and fix it without raising his voice."

In his personal life, Mr. Smith was married to Diane Smith (née Thompson), a costume designer he met on the set of "Hullabaloo" in 1965. They had two children, a son, Michael, who followed in his father's footsteps as a producer, and a daughter, Laura, an educator. The couple divorced amicably in 1992, but remained close. Mr. Smith later remarried to Susan Reynolds, a philanthropist, in 1998. He is survived by his wife, children, four grandchildren and a brother, Robert Smith.

Mr. Smith was also a dedicated philanthropist, supporting arts education through the Gary Smith Foundation, which provided scholarships to aspiring producers and directors. In retirement, he mentored young talents at the University of Southern California's film school, sharing stories from his storied career. "The key to great TV is heart," he told students in a 2020 lecture. "Technology changes, but emotion endures."

In an era when streaming services and short-form content dominate, Mr. Smith's work harkens back to a time when television united families around shared spectacles. His productions weren't just entertainment; they were cultural events that reflected society's joys, sorrows and aspirations. As Barbra Streisand, a frequent collaborator, said in a statement: "Gary didn't just produce shows; he produced magic. We'll miss his vision terribly."

Mr. Smith's final project was a planned retrospective special on variety television, set to air in 2026, which he was developing with Mr. Hemion before his health declined. Though unfinished, it stands as a testament to his enduring passion.

In reflecting on his career, Mr. Smith once quipped, "I've spent my life making stars shine brighter. Now, I hope I've left a little light behind." Indeed, the glow of his contributions to television will illuminate screens for generations to come.

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