Mr. Kidd

Commenting on the end of his anonymity caused by his film debut, popular jazz bassist PUTTER SMITH states; a boy (in an inner tube floating past him in a river) yelled “Hey! Your that guy from 'Diamonds Are Forever'!” to which the immensely shy Smith replied, “No, it wasn't me.” The boy chirped back, “So who the hell are ya then?!” Smith was discovered by 'Diamonds' director Guy Hamilton while gigging with jazz-god Thelonius Monk in Hollywood in 1969 and cast him in the role of Mr. Kidd. Smith's soft edged, Kaptain Kangarooish appearance completed the uniqueness of this on-screen pairing, playing beautifully in tune with Bruce Glover's murderous, cologne-spritzing Mr. Wint. Smith continues to study bass though he is accomplished many times over and works continually as a musician within a 50 mile radius of his Los Angeles home. Smith often says to his wife of 40-plus years, (when he hears of someone receiving over sized acollades for a relatively small achievement) “It's just like 'Diamonds Are Forever.'”