Harrison Smith

Washington, D.C.

Obituary writer

Education: University of Chicago, AB in English and philosophy

Harrison Smith is a reporter on The Washington Post's obituaries desk, where he has worked since 2015. He covers people who have made a significant impact on their field, city or country — a group of the recently deceased that includes big-game hunters, single-handed sailors, fallen dictators, Olympic champions and the creator of the Hawaiian pizza. He previously worked for KidsPost and contributed to Washingtonian and Chicago magazines, among other publications. He co-founded the South Side Weekly newspaper in Chicago before moving to the District in 2015.
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Latest from Harrison Smith

Silvia Pinal dies; Mexican actress starred in acclaimed Buñuel films

One of the last stars of Mexican cinema’s mid-century golden age, she appeared in films including Luis Buñuel’s “Viridiana” and was later elected to Congress.

December 2, 2024

Chuck Woolery, host of ‘Love Connection’ and ‘Wheel,’ dies at 83

After rising to prominence as a handsome, easygoing game-show host, he became a conservative commentator and podcaster.

November 25, 2024

Henry Taylor, prize-winning poet with an eye on rural life, dies at 82

He won a Pulitzer for “The Flying Change,” a 1985 collection reflecting his love of horses and his upbringing in Virginia hunt country.

November 22, 2024

Vic Flick, guitarist who played 007’s original theme, dies at 87

The British session musician also worked with singers including Shirley Bassey, Petula Clark, Engelbert Humperdinck, Tom Jones and Dusty Springfield.

November 20, 2024
British guitarist Vic Flick performs with the Fab Four, a Beatles tribute band, in 2002 at the House of Blues in Southern California.

Charles Dumont, who wrote a signature song for Édith Piaf, dies at 95

The French songwriter wrote the music to “Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien,” an operatic love song Piaf first performed in 1960. He also worked with Barbra Streisand.

November 19, 2024
French songwriter and singer Charles Dumont at his Paris apartment in 2018.

Bela Karolyi, who coached gymnasts to Olympic gold, dies at 82

He and his wife cultivated champions in Romania and the U.S. But they were criticized for using harsh tactics and failing to halt Larry Nassar’s sexual abuses.

November 18, 2024
Coach Bela Karolyi carrying American gymnast Kerri Strug at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. Strug competed while injured, helping her team win gold.

Reg Murphy, editor and publisher who survived a kidnapping, dies at 90

As a top editor at the Atlanta Constitution, he was held for a $700,000 ransom. He was later the publisher of the San Francisco Examiner and the Baltimore Sun.

November 15, 2024

Ella Jenkins, first lady of children’s music, dies at 100

She introduced generations of children to the joys of music and rhythm, writing call-and-response classics like “You’ll Sing a Song and I’ll Sing a Song.”

November 12, 2024
Children's singer Ella Jenkins in the early 1980s.

Judith Jamison, mesmerizing dancer who led Alvin Ailey, dies at 81

Graceful and expressive, she rose to fame performing the acclaimed solo piece “Cry.” She later succeeded Ailey as head of his namesake troupe.

November 11, 2024

Elwood Edwards, voice of AOL’s ‘you’ve got mail’ greeting, dies at 74

His America Online messages made him a personable voice of the dot-com era. For years, he also worked behind the scenes in local TV.

November 8, 2024
Elwood Edwards recorded AOL's signature catchphrase, “You've got mail.” He also spent decades working behind the scenes at local television networks, including the Cleveland NBC affiliate WKYC.