Film Makeup Artist. He was a one of the cinematic pioneers of the 20th Century, noted for creating the iconic classic monster make-ups at Universal Studios. After emigrating to the US in the early 1900s, he attempted to play pro-baseball in Chicago, then moved to California, where he worked in the fledgling motion picture industry. He eventually drifted into acting, then makeup, working at the original Fox Studios in the 1920s. In 1928, he became head of the makeup department at Universal Studios and worked on the last of the silent films made at the studio. Some of his silent film makeups included "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" (1923) and "Phantom of the Opera" (1925). For Universal Studios' horror classic era, his many character makeups included "Dracula" (1931), "Frankenstein" (1931), "The Mummy" (1932), "The Bride of Frankenstein" (1935), "Son of Frankenstein" (1939) and "The Wolf Man" (1941). When Universal Studios merged with International Pictures, he had been a makeup supervisor at the studio for 30 years. He ended his career working for independent films and television projects during the final 20 years of his life.
Film Makeup Artist. He was a one of the cinematic pioneers of the 20th Century, noted for creating the iconic classic monster make-ups at Universal Studios. After emigrating to the US in the early 1900s, he attempted to play pro-baseball in Chicago, then moved to California, where he worked in the fledgling motion picture industry. He eventually drifted into acting, then makeup, working at the original Fox Studios in the 1920s. In 1928, he became head of the makeup department at Universal Studios and worked on the last of the silent films made at the studio. Some of his silent film makeups included "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" (1923) and "Phantom of the Opera" (1925). For Universal Studios' horror classic era, his many character makeups included "Dracula" (1931), "Frankenstein" (1931), "The Mummy" (1932), "The Bride of Frankenstein" (1935), "Son of Frankenstein" (1939) and "The Wolf Man" (1941). When Universal Studios merged with International Pictures, he had been a makeup supervisor at the studio for 30 years. He ended his career working for independent films and television projects during the final 20 years of his life.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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