End of an Era: Celebs, Colleagues Mourn ‘Legendary' NY Columnist Liz Smith
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Liz Smith, the syndicated gossip columnist whose mixture of banter, barbs, and bon mots about the glitterati helped her climb the A-list as high as many of the celebrities she covered, died Sunday at the age of 94.
Smith endeared herself to many celebrities and scored major tabloid scoops. Her biggest scoops include Donald and Ivana Trump's divorce and Woody Allen and Mia Farrow's impending parenthood.
Liz Smith leaves the Celebration of Life Memorial ceremony for Walter Cronkite, Wed. Aug. 9, 2009, at Avery Fisher Hall in New York.
Jack Smith/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images
Farrah Fawcett and Liz Smith celebrate Farrah's birthday.
Robin Platzer/Twin Images/The LIFE Images Collection/Getty Images
Actress singer Liza Minnelli (R) and columnist Liz Smith (L) at the Palladium.
Liz Smith and Donald Trump attend Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Exhibition Gala on Dec. 8, 1986, at the Metropolitan Musuem of Art in New York City.
Gossip columnist Liz Smith, businessman Donald Trump and his wife Ivana Trump attend 1001 Nights at the Big Apple Circus on Nov. 16,1987, in New York, New York.
TV journalist Barbara Walters and gossip columnist Liz Smith attend the "Broadway Salute to Liz Smith" Gala to Benefit Literarcy Volunteers of New York City Pre-Cocktail Reception on June 13, 1983, at the Shubert Alley in New York City.
Then-first lady Hillary Clinton, left, and gossip columnist Liz Smith stand at the podium together during the Police Athletic League's 11th Annual "Women of the Year" luncheon Tuesday, Dec. 7, 1999, in New York.
AP Photo/Stephen Chernin
New York columnist Liz Smith, left, and actress Florence Henderson at the GLAAD (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) Media Awards Monday, April 16, 2001, in New York. Smith received the Vito Russo award.
Liz Smith speaks during a memorial for former Texas Gov. Ann Richards Monday, Sept. 18, 2006, in Austin, Texas.
Liz Smith leaves the Celebration of Life Memorial ceremony for Walter Cronkite, Wed. Aug. 9, 2009, at Avery Fisher Hall in New York.
Liz Smith and Candice Bergen were guests on "The View," on Sept. 25, 2009.
Photo by Marc Stamas/Getty Images
Columnist Liz Smith (L) and Mayor Michael Bloomberg (R) attend the 7th Annual Fete De Swifty benefit on Sept. 29, 2010, in New York City.
Liz Smith appears on stage at "Everybody, Rise! A Celebration of Elaine Stritch" on Monday, Nov. 17, 2014 in New York.
She started her own column at the New York Daily News in 1976. A gossip star was born.
"When she escorts us into the private lives of popular culture's gods and monsters, it's with a spirit of wonder, not meanness," wrote Jane and Michael Stern in reviewing Smith's 2000 autobiography, "Natural Blonde," for the New York Times Book Review.
"I was fortunate enough to work with the amazing Liz Smith. During my time at WNBC she was nothing short fabulous," NBC "Today" Show host Al Roker said after hearing of Smith's death.
"I edited @LizSmth’s syndicated columns when I worked at the Tribune and it was by far the most fun part of my job. She was a hoot, a gifted writer and a brilliant observer. RIP," editor Will Mendelson said on Twitter.
I was fortunate enough to work with the amazing Liz Smith. During my time at WNBC she was nothing short fabulous. Liz passed away at the age of 94 and with her, a piece New York.
