Stan Winston, 1946-2008

Legendary special effects wizard and make-up artist Stan Winston died today at the age of 62. Winston studied painting and sculpture at the University of Virginia, went on to win 4 Oscars (Aliens, Jurassic Park, and two for Terminator 2: Judgement Day), and was nominated nine times. He first gained recognition for the extraodinary aging make-up for Cicely Tyson in The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman, winning an Emmy with RIck Baker. Less than 10 years later his reputation as master of his craft was already earning him “Special Thanks” credits on films like The Thing (the first movie I ever saw that seriously scared the living shit out of me).¬† From Edward Scissorhands and Predator, and as recently as Iron Man this summer, Stan Winston advanced the art of awe-inspiring wonderment, and created terrifying cinematic visions that will stalk the halls of visual effects forever.