Stuart Freeborn

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Stuart Freeborn bigraphy, stories - make-up artist

Stuart Freeborn : biography

5 September 1914 – 6 January 2013

Stuart Freeborn (5 September 1914 – 5 February 2013) was a British motion picture make-up artist. He has been referred to as the "grandfather of modern make-up design" and is perhaps best known for his work on the original Star Wars trilogy, most notably the design and fabrication of Yoda.

Career

Freeborn’s earliest work in the film industry was designing the hair and make-up worn by Alec Guinness, while at Denham Studios"Live supplement". Daily Mail. June 24, 2012 as Fagin in Oliver Twist. Freeborn’s most famous work is creating the make-up for all of the characters in the Star Wars trilogy, including Chewbacca and Yoda; he based Yoda on his own face and partly on Albert Einstein.. The Times. Retrieved 7 February 2013 He oversaw the design of the original Jabba the Hutt puppet used in Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi, as well as the creation of the Ewoks.. Sky News. Retrieved 8 February 2013. CNN. Retrieved 8 February 2013

Freeborn was also the make-up artist on Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey, where he created the humans/apes for the "Dawn of Man" sequence. He worked on Kubrick’s Dr. Strangelove, handling Peter Sellers’ multiple lead roles. He also worked with Sellers in several other films, including Heavens Above!, Mr. Topaze, and Soft Beds, Hard Battles and he was the make-up visual supervisor in the Superman films.http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/culture-obituaries/film-obituaries/9856328/Stuart-Freeborn.html

His wife Kay assisted her husband on several occasions; their son Graham was also a prolific make-up artist before his death in 1986.

In the Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace DVD, in one of the web documentaries, he was awarded a statue by the team at Lucasfilm.

Selected filmography

  • Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland (1972, makeup artist)
  • The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957, makeup artist)
  • Dr. Strangelove (1964, makeup artist – as Stewart Freeborn)
  • Oliver Twist (1948, makeup artist – as Stuart Freebourne)
  • The Omen (1976, chief makeup artist)
  • Star Wars
    • Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope (1977, makeup supervisor and uncredited creature design supervisor)
    • Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980, makeup and special creature designer)
    • Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (1983, makeup designer and creature design)
  • Superman
    • Superman (1978, creative supervisor of makeup & special visuals)
    • Superman II (1980, makeup artist)
    • Superman III (1983, makeup artist)
    • Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987, makeup supervisor)
  • The Thief of Bagdad (1940, uncredited makeup artist)
  • 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968, makeup)

Personal life

Freeborn died on 5 February 2013 at the age of 98 in London. His wife Kay died in 2012. Freeborn’s three sons – Roger, Ray and Graham – also died before him..The Guardian. 7 February 2013. Retrieved 8 February 2013. He leaves behind; His Grandsons and daughters From Raymond; Mark Freeborn (Dj.Rubio) http://www.facebook.com/marque.djrubio. Amanda Freeborn. Suzanna Freeborn. From Graham; Michelle Freeborn. Elizabeth Freeborn. From Rodger; Kevin Freeborn. Carol Freeborn. Andrea Freeborn. A tribute to Stuart Freeborn; http://www.facebook.com/stuart.freeborn.9?ref=tn_tnmn