Gregg Smith, a dancer, casting director and assistant choreographer who had a long association with director Kenny Ortega, has died. He was 73.
Smith died on Jan. 1.
The industry veteran worked as a performer in the national touring company of the musical “Hair” and in a Los Angeles production of “Jesus Christ Superstar.” He was in the original Off Broadway cast of “Your Own Thing” in 1968. His film work included Steven Spielberg’s “Hook” (1991) and the Ortega-directed “Newsies” (1992).
Smith worked as a dance casting director for numerous productions. He was also active as a champion of improving working standards for hoofers in all aspects of the entertainment industry. He was active in efforts to have dancers recognized as members of what was then the Screen Actors Guild.
Born in 1946, Smith grew up in a showbiz family in the San Fernando Valley. His father, Sterling Smith, worked for various studios as a still photographer.
Smith died on Jan. 1.
The industry veteran worked as a performer in the national touring company of the musical “Hair” and in a Los Angeles production of “Jesus Christ Superstar.” He was in the original Off Broadway cast of “Your Own Thing” in 1968. His film work included Steven Spielberg’s “Hook” (1991) and the Ortega-directed “Newsies” (1992).
Smith worked as a dance casting director for numerous productions. He was also active as a champion of improving working standards for hoofers in all aspects of the entertainment industry. He was active in efforts to have dancers recognized as members of what was then the Screen Actors Guild.
Born in 1946, Smith grew up in a showbiz family in the San Fernando Valley. His father, Sterling Smith, worked for various studios as a still photographer.
- 1/18/2020
- by Variety Staff
- Variety Film + TV
Similar News
Zendaya Says She Is ‘Not Confident Enough’ to Make Her Directorial Debut — Yet
- 4/25/2024
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
‘Unsung Hero’ Review: The Family That Prays Together, Plays Together in Uplifting Faith-Based Biopic
- 4/25/2024
- by Courtney Howard
- Variety Film + TV
Netflix Joins ‘The Thursday Murder Club’, Chris Columbus & Amblin Entertainment’s Feature Adaptation Of Big-Selling Richard Osman Novel
- 4/25/2024
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Michael Jackson Was a Better Entertainer Than The Beatles
- 4/25/2024
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
The 2 Madonna Songs That ‘Feel Like Home’ to Britney Spears
- 4/25/2024
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Broadway Spring 2024: ‘Uncle Vanya’ & All Of Deadline’s Reviews
- 4/25/2024
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
‘American Idol’ Star Mandisa Dead At 47
- 4/19/2024
- by Amanda Blankenship
- TV Shows Ace
'American Idol' - Complete List of Every Winner from the Past 21 Seasons!
- 4/15/2024
- by Just Jared
- Just Jared
Hulu Orders Kate Upton-Hosted Fashion Design Competition ‘Dress My Tour’
- 4/4/2024
- by Michael Schneider
- Variety Film + TV
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.
More to explore
Lily Gladstone and Bowen Yang to Star in ‘The Wedding Banquet’ Remake From Director Andrew Ahn (Exclusive)
- 4/25/2024
- by Marc Malkin
- Variety Film + TV
Jennifer Aniston to Produce ‘9 to 5’ Reimagining for 20th Century Studios
- 4/25/2024
- by Michaela Zee
- Variety Film + TV
New Harry Potter Audiobook Series in the Works With 100-Plus Actors
- 4/25/2024
- by Caitlin Huston
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
’28 Years Later’ Adds Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jodie Comer and Ralph Fiennes
- 4/24/2024
- by Katcy Stephan
- Variety Film + TV
American Black Film Festival 2024 Lineup Includes Vivica A. Fox and Jussie Smollett-Starring Drama (Exclusive)
- 4/24/2024
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety - Film News
“It was really curious”: Tom Hiddleston is Done Playing Loki But Recently Revealed a Peculiar Clause in His MCU Contract
- 4/25/2024
- by Laxmi Rajput
- FandomWire
Australian Police Arrest ‘Home and Away’ Actor Orpheus Pledger After Manhunt
- 4/25/2024
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety - TV News
’28 Years Later’ Adds Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jodie Comer and Ralph Fiennes
- 4/24/2024
- by Katcy Stephan
- Variety Film + TV
Julio Torres's "Problemista" Shows the US Immigration System Is a Relentless Maze
- 4/24/2024
- by Johanna Ferreira
- Popsugar.com
Chuwi Is the Voice of a New Puerto Rican Generation
- 4/23/2024
- by Juan Arroyo
- Popsugar.com
Bella Ramsey, Louis Partridge, Ruby Stokes to Star in Coming-of-Age Comedy ‘Sunny Dancer’ From Rising Brit Director George Jaques (Exclusive)
- 4/25/2024
- by Alex Ritman
- Variety - Film News
Chris Jericho’s Wrestling Action Horror Film ‘Dark Match’ Sales to Be Launched at Cannes Market by Blue Finch (Exclusive)
- 4/25/2024
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety - Film News
Michael Cera Christmas Movie Boarded by Magnify Ahead of Cannes’ Directors Fortnight Premiere (Exclusive)
- 4/25/2024
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety - Film News
‘Expats’ Star Ruby Ruiz to Lead James J. Robinson’s Directorial Debut ‘First Light’ (Exclusive)
- 4/25/2024
- by Alex Ritman
- Variety - Film News
‘Goodbye Julia,’ ‘Four Daughters’ Lead Critics Awards for Arab Films Nominations Ahead of Cannes Ceremony
- 4/25/2024
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety - Film News
‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon’ Producer Bill Kong Aims to Reset Martial Arts Genre With ‘The Furious,’ Directed by Tanigaki Kenji (Exclusive)
- 4/25/2024
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Bella Ramsey, Louis Partridge, Ruby Stokes to Star in Coming-of-Age Comedy ‘Sunny Dancer’ From Rising Brit Director George Jaques (Exclusive)
- 4/25/2024
- by Alex Ritman
- Variety - Film News
Fred Schepisi Sets Israeli Thriller ‘The Dimona Affair’ as Next Directorial Project (Exclusive)
- 4/25/2024
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety - Film News
’28 Years Later’ Adds Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jodie Comer and Ralph Fiennes
- 4/24/2024
- by Katcy Stephan
- Variety Film + TV
American Black Film Festival 2024 Lineup Includes Vivica A. Fox and Jussie Smollett-Starring Drama (Exclusive)
- 4/24/2024
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety - Film News
Peabody Awards 2024: ‘Fellow Travelers,’ ‘The Last of Us,’ ‘The Bear,’ and More Are Nominated
- 4/25/2024
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
‘The Equalizer’ Grabs Season 5 Renewal at CBS
- 4/25/2024
- by Rick Porter
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
‘Beef,’ ‘A Small Light,’ ‘Heartstopper’ Among 2024 Television Academy Honors Recipients
- 4/25/2024
- by Michael Schneider
- Variety - TV News
‘Three Wise Men & a Baby’ Sequel Coming to Hallmark: Get the First Details
- 4/25/2024
- TV Insider
‘Doctor Who’ Regenerates: How Ncuti Gatwa’s Historic Casting, Russell T Davies’ Return and a Disney+ Deal Revolutionized the Franchise
- 4/25/2024
- by Ellise Shafer
- Variety - TV News