Smith (Bob) Stand-up Comedy and Writings, 1972-2006, bulk Bulk, 1991-2004

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Summary

Title:
Bob Smith Stand-up Comedy and Writings
Dates:
1972-2006, bulk Bulk, 1991-2004
Creators:
Smith, Bob, 1958-
Abstract:
This collection primarily consists of material relating to Bob Smith’s professional career as a writer and comedian, and includes scripts, manuscripts, newspaper clippings, writing and performance contracts, calendars, research files, correspondence, and recordings of his performances. (1972-2006, bulk: 1991-2004).
Extent:
4.0 linear feet. 4 records boxes + 1 flat archive box.
Language:
Preferred citation:

Box #, folder #, Bob Smith papers, Coll2012-004, ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, Los Angeles, California

Background

Scope and content:

The collection primarily consists of material relating to Smith’s career as a writer and comedian, including scripts of sketches, manuscripts of his published works, newspaper clippings of reviews of his performances or books, writing and performance contracts, calendars, research files, and correspondence. Also included are DVDs, videotapes, and audiocassettes that document his performances throughout his career. A small amount of personal material includes correspondence from friends and relatives. Materials range from 1972-2006, but the bulk of the collection dates from 1991-2004. The collection is separated into three series: (1) Professional files, which consists of material relating to Smith’s professional life, (2) Personal files, which consists primarily of personal correspondence, and (3) Audiovisual material, which includes recordings of Smith's performances.

Biographical / historical:

Bob Smith is an American writer and comedian based in New York City. Born in Buffalo, New York, in 1958, he began writing and performing stand-up comedy in 1977, and in 1998, he formed the comedy troupe "Funny Gay Males" with comedians Jaffe Cohen and Danny McWilliams. Smith was the first openly gay comedian to appear on the Tonight Show and to have his own HBO Comedy Half-Hour special. He has written comedy for Amblin Films, the MTV Video Music Awards, Dennis Miller, Roseanne, and MAD-TV. In addition to his autobiographies Openly Bob (1997), which received a Lambda Literary Award, and Way to Go, Smith! (1999), he has published two novels, Selfish and Perverse (2007) and Remembrance of Things I Forgot (2011), and numerous essays. Smith was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease in 2007.

Acquisition information:
Received from Bob Smith, February, 19, 2008.
Processing information:

Collection processed by Kate Dundon, January 2012.

Arrangement:

Arranged into three series: Professional files, Personal files, and Audiovisual material.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding aid prepared by Kate Dundon
Date Prepared:
© January 2012
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit 2012-01-13T15:07-0800

Access and use

Restrictions:

The collection is open to researchers. There are no access restrictions.

Terms of access:

Researchers wishing to publish material must obtain permission in writing from ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives as the physical owner of the material. Note that permission to publish does not constitute copyright clearance. ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives can grant copyright clearance only for those materials for which we hold copyright. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain copyright clearance for all other materials from the copyright holder(s).

Preferred citation:

Box #, folder #, Bob Smith papers, Coll2012-004, ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, Los Angeles, California

Location of this collection:
909 West Adams Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90007, US
Contact:
(213) 821-2771
askone@usc.edu
Website