Greg Cannom, the four-time Oscar-winning makeup and prosthetics artist behind such seminal films as Dracula, Mrs. Doubtfire, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and Vice, has died at the age of 73.
Rick Baker, a longtime colleague and frequent collaborator, announced the news yesterday on Instagram, writing, “I just heard the sad news of the passing of one of the great make up artists. Greg Cannom. Greg started with me in the 70’s; his first job with me was the sequel to It’s Alive where he not only assisted me in making the baby but also played one of the baby monsters. When I moved out of my first garage workshop Greg moved in. When I out grew my first industrial unit Greg took that over. His work will be remembered long after his passing. Sad news indeed. RIP Greg, you and your work will be missed.”
Per a GoFundMe launched in March 2023 on behalf of the accomplished and celebrated artisan, Cannom’s health began declining following a bout of Shingles a while back, which led to permanent nerve damage to his legs; he also suffered a Staph infection that resulted in an amputation below the knee. He was hospitalized in December 2022 for several months, for complications related to diabetes, viral infections and heart failure.
A trailblazer in the field, Cannom has logged 45 years in the business, crafting the iconic looks behind some of the most beloved films. In addition to his four Academy Awards, he also received nods for his work on Hook, Hoffa, Roommates, Titanic, Bicentennial Man and A Beautiful Mind. His craft is also behind films The Lost Boys, Batman Returns, Blade, The Mask, Hannibal, Van Helsing, White Chicks, The Passion of the Christ, The Eyes of Tammy Faye and many others.
On the television side, he rendered makeup for Fox’s late ’80s series Werewolf, CBS’ ’90s-era The Flash and NBC’s original finale of Will & Grace, for which he received one of his five Emmy nominations. His work also extended into the musical arena, where he crafted looks for Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” video, alongside Baker, and Ozzy Osbourne’s “Bark at the Moon.”
In 2005, he shared an Academy Award for Technical Achievement with sculpture artist Wesley Wofford for “the development of their special modified silicone material for makeup applications used in motion pictures.” In 2019, he received the Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild Lifetime Achievement Award.
Cannom began his foray into the industry after attending Cypress College and working seasonally at Knott’s Halloween Haunt theme park, marking his interest in the horror genre, which eventually led to his connection and assistant job with the seven-time Oscar-winning Baker.
The post Greg Cannom Dies: Oscar-Winning ‘Mrs. Doubtfire’ & ‘Vice’ Prosthetic Makeup Artist Was 73 appeared first on Deadline.
