About Stuart
Stuart ‘Smudge’ Smith is just your typical working-class guy, who has been through a lot in his life. Originally as a child, Stuart wanted to be an actor, after becoming fascinated with voices and was always very creative. He could imitate his teachers and actors from an early age. Christopher Lloyd, who was in a show called Taxi, was his first memory of an impression. Having strict parents and combined with kidney problems from a young age, it was not to be.
Then, Stuart set his sights on joining the Royal Navy. After passing all the tests with flying colours, unfortunately he failed the medical because of his kidney problems. So, around 18 years old and after going out with a dancer from a local theatre school, Stuart first went on stage. Just messing around with some voices and impressions on the microphone, he realised he enjoyed entertaining people.
This continued for a few years entering various talent shows. Then in December of 1994 Stuart was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease, for which there is no cure. The treatment for ckd, is either dialysis, or a kidney transplant. As the kidney problems he suffered as a child, had finally caught up with him, he felt this was like a recurring theme happening in his life and wondered, why me? After being rehoused by the local council, Stuart was eventually called up for a kidney transplant on the 5th of December 1995.
He knew he had been given another chance, after struggling on dialysis and struggling to perform or work any other job. Stuart then set about getting back to work, in various manual jobs. This included labouring and heavy lifting, as well as working in many warehouses. Stuart did this alongside performing. The picture is taken from 1997, nearly 2 years after his transplant.
Stuart continued taking on all kinds of gigs and jobs, alongside the manual jobs. They have included the old Virgin Radio Breakfast show, when Steve Penk was hosting. 10 O clock live on channel 4, the Keith Allen meets series and more. Stuart also created his very own sat nav voices, for TomTom & Garmin. His Gordon Ramsay Garmin voice was recently used in the first series of, Gordon, Gino & Fred.
Stuart having tackled his mental health recently, is now passionate about helping others. He understands the importance of lived experience, alongside academics. Stuart also now sits on social housing resident panels, helping to find solutions and sharing our experiences. Feel free to contact Stuart.