Wonderful Smith

Actor, Film actor

1911 – 2008

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Who was Wonderful Smith?

Wonderful Smith was an African-American comedian from Arkadelphia, Arkansas. He was most notable for his routine, "Hello, Mr. President" which was an imaginary conversation with American President Franklin Delano Roosevelt that lampooned the New Deal and World War II preparations. The routine appeared in Duke Ellington's satirical revue "Jump for Joy". No complete copy of the routine exists, although most of the routine appeared in the 1941 movie Top Sergeant Mulligan, performed by Smith, and was later re-released on the Smithsonian's Jump for Joy LP in 1988. Smith also made numerous appearances as an extra in various movies, such as a stage hand in the cavernous backstage scene in This is Spinal Tap. He also was a member of Red Skelton's radio show in the early and mid 1940s. Others in the cast during this time were Ozzie and Harriet Nelson. When Smith returned from his World War II service, he found that his role in the show had been changed, along with the program's format. Smith attempted to claim racial and veterans' discrimination. The radio show's sponsor pointed out that his contract had been honored and that while his role in the show was smaller than it had been previously, he was not written out with his contract paid off.

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Born
Jun 21, 1911
Arkadelphia
Also known as
  • Floyd Smith
Nationality
  • United States of America
Profession
Died
Aug 28, 2008
Northridge

Submitted
on July 23, 2013

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