Wonderful Smith (June 21, 1911 – August 28, 2008) was an African-American comedian and actor from Arkadelphia, Arkansas.As a comedian, 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.He was a member of Red Skelton's radio shows 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.Smith also made numerous appearances as an extra in various television series and movies, such as the head chef in The Bold Ones: The New Doctors and a stage hand in the cavernous backstage scene in This is Spinal Tap.Smith was the inspiration for the name of a Chicago-based indie rock group.
Accompanied Hattie McDaniel to the 1939 Oscar Awards ceremony (then a dinner) in 1940 where she won the award for Best Supporting Actress in Gone with the Wind (1939).
Actor
Title
Year
Status
Character
Lily in Winter
1994
TV Movie
Conductor
In Living Color
1990-1991
TV Series
To Sleep with Anger
1990
Preacher
Webster
1987
TV Series
Mr. Elchorn
This Is Spinal Tap
1984
Janitor
Not Just Another Affair
1982
TV Movie
Court Clerk
Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy
1981
TV Movie
Butler
CHiPs
1979
TV Series
DMV Supervisor
Ring of Passion
1978
TV Movie
Minister
A Piece of the Action
1977
Daniel McLean
Oh, God!
1977
Court Clerk
Ellery Queen
1976
TV Series
Apt. Super
Dynasty
1976
TV Movie
Minister
That's My Mama
1975
TV Series
Childs
Harry O
1975
TV Series
Eddie
Happy Days
1974
TV Series
Reverend
A Dream for Christmas
1973
TV Movie
Department Store Owner (uncredited)
Howzer
1973
Love, American Style
1972
TV Series
Father of the Bride (segment "Love and the Perfect Wedding")