Abilene, Paramount Theatre lose a legend after passing of Barry Smoot

Many in Abilene's creative community have been mourning the recent passing of Barry Smoot, festival director for the historic Paramount Theatre.

Smoot, 66, died Sept. 22 and was a native of Childress, according to an obituary from Hamil Family Funeral Home. A graduate of Abilene Christian University where he studied theatre and music, Smoot had served as a Paramount director for over 30 years.

He created the 24fps Short Film Festival which will mark its 25th year in November. Over time, 24fps went from a local event to one garnering international recognition. Smoot would often remind visitors how many of the top contenders in his festival often went on to win other awards, including the Oscar from the Motion Picture Academy of Arts and Sciences.

In 2018 Smoot took time off from the Paramount for health reasons. He returned a year later.

Paramount Theatre Executive Director George Levesque in a Facebook post earlier in the week remembered his friend.

Smoot's name is central to so many of Abilene's theatrical experiences, Levesque wrote.

"He quite literally directed half the shows I've been in as an adult," he wrote. "On a personal level, I've lost one of my oldest friends. On a professional level, the Paramount has lost someone who was central to giving this theatre the identity it has today."

Smoot helped build the nonprofit to where it is today, Levesque wrote.

A deeply private man, Smoot didn't want a funeral, according to Levesque.

"But there WILL be a celebration of his impactful life," Levesque promised. "And the Paramount Abilene will CERTAINLY do something to memorialize him here!"

This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: Abilene, Paramount Theatre lose a legend after passing of Barry Smoot