Thomas Freebairn-Smith was recognized as the first executive secretary of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (now Television Academy). 

Working with Walt Disney and Academy President Don DeFore, he helped form the National Academy by merging East and West Coast chapters, recalled Academy founder Syd Cassyd. “He (Freebairn-Smith) was a very fine gentleman, extremely talented and capable, and had a wonderful manner,” Cassyd said.

Freebairn-Smith held the post from 1952 until his retirement in 1968.

He also had a brief acting career, appearing in two episodes of Perry Mason: as Dr. William Banning in “The Case of the Pathetic Patient” (1961) and as Eric Sommers in “The Case of the Wooden Nickels” (1964).

His son Ian Freebairn-Smith is a Grammy-winning composer whose television credits include such shows as Cagney & Lacey, Magnum P.I., Fame, and Airwolf.