Born July 2, 1912 in New York, USA.
Died December 28, 1970 in Los Angeles, California, USA.

Not same as actor Hal Smith, who played Otis on The Andy Griffith Show.

He won an Oscar in 1959 for Best Writing, Story and Screenplay - Written Directly for the Screen for "The Defiant Ones" (along with Nedrick Young). He was nominated for Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium Oscar in 1961 for "Inherit The Wind" (along with Nedrick Young).