Hutch Post, in partnership with Steve Harmon and the Conard-Harmon Collection, is proud to present Throwback Thursday. Enjoy a weekly release from Steve Harmon as he presents the "Hutch - Then & Now Collection."
STEVE HARMON
Hutch Post Contributor
Today's "Throwback Thursday Collection" is a biographical feature on one of Hutch's most famous sons.
Delos V. Smith Jr. was born in Hutchinson in 1906. His father was the owner of the Hutchinson Saddlery Company at 101 W. 1st. The first photo shows him at age 12 on his bike at home at 112 W. 6th.
In 1928, he graduated from the University of Kansas. The second photo is of young Delos.
He traveled the world for many years, eventually settling into his theatrical career. He would eventually appear in 13 movies, 16 television shows and nearly two dozen Broadway productions. The third photo shows him in various Hollywood poses.
He met Marilyn Monroe and became her assistant and mentor. The fourth photo shows him in one of his stage personalities.
One of his last films was the critically acclaimed "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" in 1975. The fifth photo show Delos on the left with Jack Nicholson and Danny DeVito.
In 1981, at the age of 75, Delos officially retired from acting and returned to Hutchinson. After that, he taught some drama at HutchCC and acquired real estate. The sixth photo is one of Delos's last known.
When Delos died in 1997, he left his multi-million dollar estate to a trust to fund senior citizen programs and to fund the Delos V. Smith Senior Center at 1st and Washington. That legacy continues today.
To purchase a print, contact: [email protected].
Throwback Thursday is brought to you by:
Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce
STRATACA Kansas Underground Salt Museum
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