One of the most iconic makeup artists has passed away. The four-time Oscar winner Greg Cannom died at the age of 73 (although some sources say 74). His 45-plus year career included work on prosthetics for primarily movies, television, and some music videos. Cannom’s makeup and special enhancements were honored with a Technical Achievement Academy Award and a Lifetime Achievement Award given by the Makeup Artists and Hair Stylists Guild.
Greg Cannom Got His Start at Knott’s Berry Farm
After graduating from Cypress College in Southern California, Greg Cannom started working during the Knott’s Berry Farm Halloween seasonal promotion. Eventually he met renowned makeup and prosthetic artist Rick Baker and the two worked together on a number of projects. They both worked on Michael Jackson’s video for ‘Thriller’ and on the Men In Black film franchise.
Greg Cannom’s Storied Career
Cannom has worked on hundreds of films throughout the past four-plus decades. Among his most famous movies he worked on were Cocoon (1985), The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Vice, and The Lost Boys in 1987. In The Lost Boys, Cannom helped orchestrate the main character, David (Kiefer Sutherland), and his crew turn into teen vampires. In Vice, Cannom was responsible for star Christian Bale’s complete transformation to Vice President Dick Cheney.
A few significant projects of Cannom’s career included The Mask (with Jim Carrey) and Bram Stoker’s Dracula, where he helped turn Gary Oldman into a demonic bloodsucking creature. Greg and Gary worked together again in the movie Hannibal, where Greg was able to apply the extensive makeup used for Gary‘s role of Mason Verger.
In Conclusion
Sadly, Greg Cannom had health difficulties in the last few years of his life. He had diabetes, nerve damage, and he battled several blood infections. It is reported that Cannom passed away on Friday, May 9th. His creation of vampires, monsters, amazing prosthetics, and reverse aging techniques will always remain a huge part of his legacy. It will long influence the methods of how makeup and prosthetics are applied in the film industry.
