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Local professor on "Boardwalk Empire"

Franklin Ojeda Smith, a Sociology professor at Richard Stockton College, calls his recent appearance on HBO's "Boardwalk Empire" the "highlight of my career thus far."

He played Deacon Cuffy in a few pivotal baptism scenes in last week's episode of the show that takes place in Prohibition-era Atlantic City.

Smith told us that his role on the show, which ended its first season last night, converges a couple of sectors of his life. He's lived and worked in South Jersey for nearly 40 years, and he co-authored a book in the late 1970s, as casino gambling came to Atlantic City, called "A City Revitalized: The Elderly Lose at Monopoly."

"I firmly believe that decades of lecturing, a past scholarly interest in Atlantic City, along with dedicated training and experiences as an actor over the past ten years has created a synergism. . . . What a wonderful thrill it is to be a part of this warm supportive production," said Smith, whose credits include "Invincible" and "The Wire," adding that he hopes that Deacon Cuffy returns next season. So do we.

Click here to read more from our column in Monday's Daily News.