Description
Photographs and a scrapbook documenting the personal life and career of Justin Smith, 1932-1985. Smith was an actor, acting
coach, and prominent figure in the gay rights movement in Los Angeles in the late 1970s.
Background
Justin Smith was born on June 15, 1921, in Syracuse, New York. Affected by anti-Semitism growing up, Smith worked to bring
Jewish and Christian groups together at the University of Pennsylvania, where he graduated with a bachelor of science in economics.
In 1943, he joined the Navy's officer training program and the following year became the youngest commanding officer in the
Pacific Fleet. In 1948, he got a part in a theater production in New York and gave up a career in economics for one in acting.
In Los Angeles, Smith appeared in television and movies, then opened his own acting studio, Justin Smith Studio, in West Hollywood
in 1967.
Extent
1.2 Linear Feet
1 flat archive box
Restrictions
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the ONE Archivist. Permission
for publication is given on behalf of ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives at USC Libraries as the owner of the physical
items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.
Availability
The collection is open to researchers. There are no access restrictions.