News: Honors for Movie Creature Maker Rick Baker

Rick Baker

Rick Baker

Renowned movie makeup artist Rick Baker is getting his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Nov. 30.

Outside of directors, Baker’s one of the few behind-the-scenes filmmakers who have become legendary, up there with Ray Harryhausen.

Baker brought us a heap of movie creature favorites. Here are a few:

  • Star Wars cantina aliens
  • An American Werewolf in London werewolf
  • Harry and the Hendersons Harry
  • Gremlins 2: The New Batch gremlins
  • the gorilla in Mighty Joe Young
  • the Grinch and others in How the Grinch Stole Christmas
  • more werewolves in The Wolfman
  • and more aliens in Men in Black III.

Baker holds the record for the most Oscar wins and nominations of any makeup artist. He was nominated 12 times and won seven: in 1981 for An American Werewolf in London, in 1987 for Harry and the Hendersons, in 1994 for Ed Wood, in 1996 for The Nutty Professor, in 1997 for Men in Black, in 2000 for How the Grince Stole Christmas and in 2010 for The Wolfman.

Men in Black 3 alien

Men in Black 3

He also won an Academy Award for Outstanding Achievement in Makeup in the category’s debut year.

Baker’s star, the 2,485th star on Hollywood Boulevard, will be in front of The Guinness World Record Museum.

And, during the ceremony, he also will be entered into The Guinness World Records Book twice, for the most Academy Award wins and the most Academy Award nominations for Best Achievement in Makeup.

Congratulations, Rick. We look forward to many more movie creatures in the future.

About S. Clark

Sam Clark is the former Managing Editor/Online Editor of Video Business magazine. With 19 years experience in journalism, 12 in the home entertainment industry, Sam has been hooked on movies on since she saw E.T. then stared into the sky waiting to meet her own friendly alien. Thanks to her husband’s shared love of movies, Sam reviews Blu-ray discs in a true home theater, with a 118-inch screen, projector and cushy recliners with cup holders.