Rick Baker

Last updated

Rick Baker
Rick Baker February 2015 (cropped).jpg
Baker in 2015
Born
Richard Alan Baker

(1950-12-08) December 8, 1950 (age 73)
Alma mater Academy of Art University (BA)
Occupations
Years active1967–2018
Spouses
Elaine Baker
(m. 1974;div. 1984)
Silvia Abascal
(m. 1987)
[1]
Children2

Richard Alan Baker (born December 8, 1950), known professionally as Rick Baker, is an American retired special make-up effects creator and actor. [1] He is mostly known for his creature designs and effects. Baker has won the Academy Award for Best Makeup a record seven times from a record eleven nominations, beginning when he won the inaugural award for the 1981 horror comedy film An American Werewolf in London . [2]

Contents

Early life

Baker was born on December 8, 1950, in Binghamton, New York, to Doris (née Hamlin), a bank teller, and Ralph B. Baker, a professional artist. He and his family moved to Covina, California when he was less than 1 year old. [1] [3]

Career

As a teenager, Baker began creating artificial body parts in his own kitchen.[ citation needed ] He also appeared briefly in the fan production The Night Turkey, a one-hour, black-and-white video parody of The Night Stalker (1972), directed by William Malone.[ citation needed ] Baker's first professional job was as an assistant to prosthetic makeup effects veteran Dick Smith on the 1973 film The Exorcist . [2] [4] While working on The Exorcist, Baker was hired by director Larry Cohen to design and create a mutant infant for Cohen's 1974 film It's Alive . [5]

At the 54th Academy Awards, Baker received the inaugural Academy Award for Best Makeup for his work on An American Werewolf in London (1981). [6] Subsequently, he has been nominated for Best Makeup ten more times, winning on seven occasions, both records in his field. [2] Baker also created the werecat creature Michael Jackson transforms into in the music video Thriller (1983). [7]

Baker at the 37th Saturn Awards in 2011 Rick Baker at Saturn Awards (cropped).jpg
Baker at the 37th Saturn Awards in 2011

In 2008, he was awarded a Doctorate of Humane Letters from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. [8] Baker also contributes commentaries to the web series Trailers from Hell for trailers about horror and science fiction films. [9] Baker claims that his work on Harry and the Hendersons (1987) is one of his proudest achievements, for which he won his second Oscar. [10] On October 3, 2009, he received the Jack Pierce Lifetime Achievement Award at the Chiller-Eyegore Awards. [11]

On November 30, 2012, Baker received the 2485th star of the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The star is located in front of the Guinness World Records Museum. [12]

On May 28, 2015, Baker announced his retirement, saying: "First of all, the CG stuff definitely took away the animatronics part of what I do. It's also starting to take away the makeup part. The time is right, I am 64 years old, and the business is crazy right now. I like to do things right, and they wanted cheap and fast. That is not what I want to do, so I just decided it is basically time to get out. I would consider designing and consulting on something, but I don't think I will have a huge working studio anymore." [13] [14] [15]

In 2018, Baker was approached by DC Comics, due to his daughter Veronica working for them at the time, if he would be interested in creating a collectible display bust for them. He agreed with the following terms that he would be left alone with total creative freedom and DC accepted them. Baker, with the aide of his long-time mold maker Rob Freitas, created a bust of The Joker. [16]

Acting roles

Baker played the title role in the 1976 remake of King Kong. He had initially only been hired to create an ape suit that would fill in for scenes where it was not practical to use a life-sized mechanical version of Kong that had been designed by Carlo Rambaldi, but problems with Rambaldi's creation resulted in Baker playing Kong on-screen for almost all of the film. [17] In the 2005 remake, he had a cameo as the pilot and gunner (with director Peter Jackson) who shot down Kong. He has also made cameo appearances in: Michael Jackson's music video Thriller (1983) as "Zombie Opening the Crypt"; Into the Night (1985) as a drug dealer with a business card; Men in Black II (2002) as "MIB Passport Control Agent", an MIB agent helping provide aliens with disguises; Men in Black 3 (2012) as "Brain Alien"; The Wolfman (2010) as "Gypsy Man / First Killed"; The Strain as a convenience store customer (2014, Episode 8, uncredited) and Rings (2017) as a flea market vendor. [18]

Personal life

Baker is married; he was previously married to Elaine Melba Parkyn for ten years. He met his second wife, hairstylist Silvia Abascal, while they were both working on Into the Night (1985). [3] Baker and Abascal had their first daughter, Veronica in 1989 and their second, Rebecca, in 1993. [19]

Selected filmography

Awards and nominations

Academy Awards

YearNominated workCategoryResult
1982 An American Werewolf in London Best Makeup Won
1985 Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes Nominated
1988 Harry and the Hendersons Won
1989 Coming to America Nominated
1995 Ed Wood Won
1997 The Nutty Professor Won
1998 Men in Black Won
2000 Life Nominated
2001 How the Grinch Stole Christmas Won
2008 Norbit Nominated
2011 The Wolfman Won

BAFTA Awards

YearNominated workCategoryResult
1985Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes Best Make Up/Hair Won
1996Ed WoodNominated
1997The Nutty ProfessorWon
1998Men in Black Best Special Effects Nominated
2001How the Grinch Stole Christmas Best Make Up/Hair Won
2002 Planet of the Apes Nominated

Saturn Awards

YearNominated workCategoryResult
1978 Star Wars Best Make-up Won
1979 The Fury Won
1981 The Howling Nominated
1982An American Werewolf in LondonWon
1988Harry and the HendersonsNominated
1991 Gremlins 2: The New Batch Best Special Effects Nominated
1995Ed Wood Best Make-up Won
Wolf Nominated
1996 Batman Forever Nominated
1997The Nutty ProfessorWon
The Frighteners Nominated
1998Men in Black Best Special Effects Nominated
Best Make-up Nominated
1999 Mighty Joe Young Best Special Effects Nominated
2001How the Grinch Stole Christmas Best Make-up Won
Nutty Professor II: The Klumps Nominated
2002Planet of the ApesNominated
2003 The Ring Nominated
2004 The Haunted Mansion Nominated
2011The WolfmanWon

Other awards

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prosthetic makeup</span> Techniques to create special cosmetic effects

Prosthetic makeup also known as special makeup effects or FX prosthesis, is the process of using prosthetic sculpting, molding and casting techniques to create advanced cosmetic effects. Prosthetics are used on stage and screen to create fantasy creatures, simulated injuries, or likenesses of other people.

<i>An American Werewolf in London</i> 1981 film by John Landis

An American Werewolf in London is a 1981 comedy horror film written and directed by John Landis. An international co-production of the United Kingdom and the United States, the film stars David Naughton, Jenny Agutter, Griffin Dunne and John Woodvine. The title is a cross between An American in Paris and Werewolf of London. The film's plot follows two American backpackers, David and Jack, who are attacked by a werewolf while travelling in England, causing David to become a werewolf under the next full moon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stan Winston</span> American special effects artist (1946–2008)

Stanley Winston was an American television and film special make-up effects artist, best known for his work in the Terminator series, the first three Jurassic Park films, Aliens, The Thing, the first two Predator films, Inspector Gadget, Iron Man, and Edward Scissorhands. He won four Academy Awards for his work.

Brian Johnson is a British designer and director of film and television special effects.

Robin R. Bottin is an American special make-up effects creator. Known for his collaborations with directors John Carpenter, Paul Verhoeven and David Fincher, Bottin worked with Carpenter on both The Fog and The Thing, with Verhoeven on RoboCop, Total Recall and Basic Instinct, and with Fincher on Se7en and Fight Club. His many other film credits include The Howling, Legend, Innerspace and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carlo Rambaldi</span> Italian special effects artist (1925–2012)

Carlo Rambaldi was an Italian special effects and makeup effects artist. He was the winner of three Academy Awards: one Special Achievement Academy Award for Best Visual Effects in 1977 for the 1976 version of King Kong and two Academy Awards for Best Visual Effects in 1980 and 1983 for, respectively, Alien (1979) and E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982). He is most famous for his work in those two last mentioned films, that is for the mechanical head-effects for the creature in Alien and the design of the title character of E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. In 2017, he was inducted into the Visual Effects Society Hall of Fame.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dick Smith (make-up artist)</span> American prosthetic makeup artist (1922–2014)

Richard Emerson Smith was an American special make-up effects artist and author, known for his work on such films as Little Big Man, The Godfather, The Exorcist, Taxi Driver, Scanners and Death Becomes Her. He won a 1985 Academy Award for Best Makeup for his work on Amadeus and received a 2012 Academy Honorary Award for his career's work.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robert Kurtzman</span> American film producer

Robert Kurtzman is an American film director, producer, screenwriter, and special effects makeup artist. During his time at KNB EFX Group, which he co-founded, it would win a 2001 Emmy Award. He would then start his own production company Precinct 13 Entertainment in 2003.

Tony Gardner is an American makeup designer, special effects designer and puppeteer. He has designed and created effects for many feature films, including the films Zombieland, 127 Hours, Smokin' Aces, Hairspray, Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa, The Addams Family, Seed of Chucky,Shallow Hal and There's Something About Mary. Gardner helped create the signature helmets for Daft Punk, as well as an animatronic robot for their "Technologic" music video. He wrote and directed Daft Punk's music video for the song "The Prime Time of Your Life," which also, his two daughters were in and associate produced and populated a world full of robots for the duo's feature-length directorial debut, Daft Punk's Electroma. Beyond the film-making arena, Gardner's special effects company Alterian, Inc. has also designed and created the popular GEICO Cavemen characters as well as the current iteration of Smokey Bear. Alterian's makeup effects for Johnny Knoxville's character in Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa were nominated for an Academy Award as well as a Makeup Artist & Hair Stylist Guild Award, and won the Makeup Artist & Hair Stylist Guild Award for Best Special Makeup Effects in the Feature Film category for 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greg Nicotero</span> American actor

Gregory Nicotero is an American special make-up effects creator, television producer, and director. His first major job in special effects makeup was on the George A. Romero film Day of the Dead (1985), under the tutelage of Romero and make-up effects veteran Tom Savini.

Greg Cannom is an American special make-up effects artist. He is the recipient of several accolades, including five Academy Awards and two Saturn Awards, and has been nominated for four Primetime Emmy Awards and four BAFTA Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bodily mutilation in film</span>

Bodily mutilation in film refers to practical effects implemented on a film set during production, in contrast to special effects, which are applied in post-production. The primary objective is to visually depict physical trauma endured by a character, aiming to elicit emotional responses from the audience and foster empathy towards the character. Bodily mutilation is most usually portrayed in the context of horror, but is also used in other genres, such as medical dramas or war films. It is used primarily either to shock or fascinate the audience of a film, or to add a sense of realism. Improved special effects in recent decades have seen an increase in the prevalence of bodily mutilation in film.

<i>Universal Orlandos Horror Make-Up Show</i> Live show at Universal Studios Florida

Universal Orlando's Horror Make-Up Show, formerly known as The Phantom of the Opera Horror Make-Up Show and The Gory, Gruesome and Grotesque Horror Make-Up Show, is a live show located at Universal Studios Florida that opened on June 7, 1990, along with the theme park. It is a live demonstration of Universal Pictures' legacy of horror movies, with particular emphasis on prosthetic makeup. It was inspired by the former The Land of a Thousand Faces show (1975–1980) at Universal Studios Hollywood. It is also notable for being one of two original opening-day attractions still in operation at Universal Studios Florida, the other being E.T. Adventure.

Bob Burns is an American actor, consultant, producer, archivist and historian of props, costumes, and other paraphernalia from science fiction, fantasy, and horror motion pictures. He is notable for his work with and collection of movie props, particularly from horror and science-fiction movies. He has also had numerous acting roles, including Tracy the Gorilla in the 1975 television show The Ghost Busters.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Neville Page</span> Film makeup artist

Neville Page is a British-American film and television creature and concept designer. Born in England, he was raised in Manchester, and Chicago, Illinois. He was inspired by science fiction, including Star Wars, and makeup artist Rick Baker's work in An American Werewolf in London. He graduated from Santana High School, Santee California, in 1983. Page moved to Hollywood at the age of 17, and gained roles as an actor. He graduated with honors in 1990 from the Art Center College of Design with a degree in industrial design, and went on to teach students in Switzerland. He focused his work on design consulting along with business partner Scott Robertson.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dave Elsey</span> English make-up artist

Dave Elsey is a make-up artist known for special make-up effects, creature effects and animatronics in films such as X-Men: First Class, Ghost Rider, Star Wars, Hellraiser, Alien 3, and Indiana Jones. He was born on February 2, 1967, in London, England to Marie and Derek Elsey. From 1999 to 2011, Elsey lived in Sydney, Australia with his wife Lou while working on the TV science fiction series Farscape. He currently resides in Los Angeles, California.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Elizalde</span> Mexican-American special make-up effects artist

Mike Elizalde is a Mexican-American special make-up effects artist. He was nominated at the 81st Academy Awards in the category of Best Makeup for his work on the film Hellboy II: The Golden Army. His nomination was shared with Thomas Floutz.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steve Johnson (special effects artist)</span> American special effects artist (born 1960)

Steve Johnson is an American special effects artist whose career has spanned more than thirty years. His work has appeared in over 200 films, countless television shows, theme parks, commercials, and music videos. Some of his best-known creations include Slimer for Ghostbusters (1984), the alien seductress Sil for Species (1995), Robin Williams's robotics for Bicentennial Man (1999), and Doctor Octopus's arms for Spider-Man 2 (2004).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tom Woodruff Jr.</span> American actor

Tom Woodruff Jr. is an American actor, director, producer and special effects supervisor. He won an Academy Award for Best Special Effects for his work on the 1992 dark fantasy film Death Becomes Her; that same year he was also nominated for the same award for Alien 3.

An air bladder effect, or simply a bladder effect, is a special effect created for motion pictures. The effect employs plastic or latex balloons—known as "bladders"—which are concealed beneath the surface of foam latex or similar prosthetics. Attached to the bladders is a system of tubing that allows them to be inflated. When the bladders are inflated underneath the prosthetics, it results in the prosthetics appearing to shift, bubble, swell, or pulsate.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Rick Baker Biography (1950-)". Film Reference.
  2. 1 2 3 "Rick Baker". Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences . Retrieved April 24, 2018.
  3. 1 2 "The Legendary Rick Baker!". YouTube. September 24, 2019. Archived from the original on December 14, 2021.
  4. Nelson, Valerie J. (July 31, 2014). "Dick Smith dies at 92; 'Exorcist' makeup man won Oscar for 'Amadeus'". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved February 8, 2020.
  5. Martin, R. H. (August 1984). "Rick Baker: The Wonder Years Part Three". Fangoria . No. 37. Starlog Group, Inc. pp. 31–32. ISSN   0164-2111.
  6. Barnes, Mike (August 4, 2009). "Makeup artist Howard J. Smit dies". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved August 12, 2009.
  7. Navarro, Meagan (October 29, 2018). "[It Came From the '80s] The Enduring Legacy of John Landis, Rick Baker, and Michael Jackson's "Thriller"". Bloody Disgusting . Retrieved October 29, 2018.
  8. "Academy of Art University to Preview NOVA's "Becoming Human" — Students Modeled Recreations of Neanderthal Physiology". academyart.edu. Academy of Art University. October 25, 2009. Retrieved October 25, 2009.
  9. "Rick Baker". Trailers from Hell . Retrieved December 21, 2016.
  10. Murray, Rebecca (July 18, 2006). "Rick Baker on CGI, Changes in the Industry". About.com. Archived from the original on June 4, 2008. Retrieved September 8, 2007.
  11. Barton, Steve (October 3, 2009). "Dread Central at the 2009 Chiller-Eyegore Awards and Halloween Horror Nights". Dread Central . Retrieved October 3, 2009.
  12. 1 2 Baguio, Lindsey (November 14, 2012). "Rick Baker to Receive Walk of Fame Star". Hollywood Patch. Retrieved November 27, 2012.
  13. Dornbush, Jonathan (May 28, 2015). "Rick Baker, special effects and make-up designer for 'Thriller,' to retire and auction off his collection". Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved May 28, 2015.
  14. Chitwood, Adam (May 28, 2015). "Make-Up Legend Rick Baker Is Retiring; Cites Studios Wanting "Cheap and Fast" Over Quality". Collider . Retrieved May 28, 2015.
  15. Fischer, Russ (May 28, 2015). "Visual Effects Legend Rick Baker Is Retiring From Filmmaking". /Film . Retrieved May 28, 2015.
  16. Morrison, Matt (October 23, 2018). "Exclusive: How Rick Baker's the Joker Bust Was Crafted [Time-Lapse Video]". Screen Rant . Retrieved July 3, 2022.
  17. Lambie, Ryan (March 10, 2017). "The Struggles of King Kong '76". Den of Geek . Retrieved March 10, 2017.
  18. ""Rick Baker - Actor Filmography"". IMDb . Retrieved May 3, 2017.
  19. Quinton, Angela (October 31, 2018). "Rick Baker's daughters Rebecca and Veronica become a new American Werewolf & her victim for Halloween". Werewolf News. Retrieved October 31, 2018.
  20. Scheib, Richard (May 4, 2008). "Octaman (1971)". Moria Reviews.
  21. "Outstanding Achievement in Makeup - 1974". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences . Retrieved June 11, 2022.