Stan Winston Passes Away
Filed under: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Fandom, Newsstand, Obits
A number of sources are reporting that pioneering make-up, special effects, and animatronics wizard Stan Winston has died at age 62 -- far too soon. No word yet on cause of death.
The word "legend" gets tossed around a lot when famous people die, but Stan Winston is a legend. He brought to life the Terminator, Jurassic Park's dinosaurs, Predator, Edward Scissorhands, and the Penguin, just to name a few. Even now, when one would think the advent of CGI would have started to make him obsolete, his practical effects genius got him work on movies like Iron Man and the forthcoming Terminator Salvation. I guess it was inevitable that in the age of computers, Winston would go from creating wonders to perfecting them. But Iron Man owes a great deal to him. He kept Tony Stark from looking silly in that metal suit.
Far from being obsolete, Stan Winston is irreplaceable. Movie lovers will never forget him.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
6-16-2008 @ 3:38PM
DAVID F said...
So sad. Word is it was cancer.
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6-16-2008 @ 3:41PM
PumpkinHead said...
He made many peoples dreams come to life on screen, he will be deeply missed.
RIP
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6-16-2008 @ 3:43PM
Clayton said...
There are very few deaths that really upset me. I can add this one to the list. The man was a legend.
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6-16-2008 @ 3:51PM
Daddy G said...
I dont want to sound like a heartless bastard but most Hollywood deaths dont phase me.
However this one does. It genuinely upset me earlier :(
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6-16-2008 @ 3:58PM
Peter Hall said...
Read the news when AICN first broke it as unconfirmed, was hoping it would prove a hoax. Sometimes hope isn't enough.
I don't know what pains me more, his loss, or the sad fact that not a single person at my office had any idea who I was talking about.
Rest in peace, Mr. Winston. I, one of many, owe you a debt.
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6-17-2008 @ 1:57PM
BondsBabe said...
He was an incredible artist. He'll be missed!
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6-16-2008 @ 4:26PM
dukrous said...
He made the unfilmable real before computers did. Practical effects may one day be replaced by lifelike computer graphics, but there's nothing quite like knowing that T800 with a pulse rifle is a real, moving prop and can be lit by a professional DP.
He'll be missed.
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6-16-2008 @ 4:40PM
William Goss said...
An incredible shame. The man made as many monsters as he did memories, and so few can ever claim that.
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6-16-2008 @ 4:58PM
Peter Martin said...
He made it possible for so many weird, wonderful, and frightening creatures to leap from the imagination to the big screen -- and actually emerge looking like living, breathing things. Never a let-down from him or those who worked for him. A huge, untimely loss.
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6-17-2008 @ 1:02PM
Jon said...
This is heartbreaking. He is one of the main reasons I moved out here to LA and took up sculpting. I'm sick over this.
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6-17-2008 @ 6:24PM
Juliette said...
Mr. Winston will be missed and the world of movies will not be the same without his creative mind. My thoughts go out to his family and friends. Juliette
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6-17-2008 @ 1:13AM
gadi said...
a true legend , i am proud to say i knew stan personally and i am honored and sad but stan will live in of all us forever
farewell dear friend
gadi
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6-17-2008 @ 11:04AM
Cyndy said...
Stan Winston brought to life many of the movies I grew up with. I still remember seeing Jurassic Park on its opening day and being enthralled by his work. He inspired me to consider a career in computer graphics. Even though this is not where I ended up, I owe him for inspiring me to consider a nontraditional career path. He was truly a giant among geniuses and will never be replaced. Hearing the news was like a punch to my gut. My heart and prayers go out to his family and friends. Heaven is a much more beautiful place with his presence.
RIP
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