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Rick Baker Biography

Birth Name:Richard A. Baker

Birth Place:Binghamton, New York, United States

Profession Make up department, Special effects, Actor, Visual effects, Costume department, Producer, Art department

Fast Facts

Became the first recipient of the Academy Award for Best Makeup
Received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2012
In 2008, awarded a Doctorate of Human Letters from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco
His professional career began after earning a spot as a puppet designer for the animated series "Davey and Goliath and Gumby․"
Following a childhood aspiration to be Dr․ Frankenstein, Baker developed an interest in makeup artistry
Best known for his work on the films "An American Werewolf in London," "Men in Black," "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" and "The Wolfman," which have all earned him Academy Awards for best makeup
Designed the "werecat" creatures in the Michael Jackson music video for "Thriller․"

Awards

1974Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Achievement in Makeup: winner
1978Saturn Award-Best Make-Up: winner
1979Saturn Award-Best Make-Up: winner
1981Saturn Award-Best Make-Up: nominated
1982Oscar-Best Makeup: winner
1982Saturn Award-Best Make-Up: winner
1985Oscar-Best Makeup: nominated
1985BAFTA Film Award-Best Make Up Artist: winner
1988Oscar-Best Makeup: winner
1988Saturn Award-Best Make-Up: nominated
1988Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Achievement in Makeup for a Series: nominated
1988Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Achievement in Makeup for a Series: nominated
1989Oscar-Best Makeup: nominated
1989Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Achievement in Makeup for a Series: nominated
1991Saturn Award-Best Special Effects: nominated
1993CableACE-Stand-Up Comedy Special: nominated
1994CableACE-Make-Up: nominated
1995Oscar-Best Makeup: winner
1995Saturn Award-Best Make-Up: nominated
1995Saturn Award-Best Make-Up: winner
1996Saturn Award-Best Make-Up: nominated
1996BAFTA Film Award-Best Make Up/Hair: nominated
1997Oscar-Best Makeup: winner
1997Saturn Award-Best Make-Up: winner
1997Saturn Award-Best Make-Up: nominated
1997BAFTA Film Award-Best Make Up/Hair: winner
1997Chainsaw Award-Best Makeup FX: nominated
1997OFTA Film Award-Best Makeup and Hairstyling: winner
1998Oscar-Best Makeup: winner
1998Saturn Award-Best Make-Up: nominated
1998Saturn Award-Best Special Effects: nominated
1998BAFTA Film Award-Best Special Effects: nominated
1998OFTA Film Award-Best Makeup and Hairstyling: nominated
1998OFTA Film Award-Best Visual Effects: nominated
1998Golden Satellite Award-Best Visual Effects: nominated
1999Oscar-Best Effects, Visual Effects: nominated
1999Saturn Award-Best Special Effects: nominated
2000Oscar-Best Makeup: nominated
2001Oscar-Best Makeup: winner
2001Saturn Award-Best Make-Up: winner
2001Saturn Award-Best Make-Up: nominated
2001BAFTA Film Award-Best Make Up/Hair: winner
2001Make-up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild Award-Best Special Makeup Effects - Feature: winner
2001OFTA Film Award-Best Makeup and Hairstyling: nominated
2001PFCS Award-Best Makeup: winner
2002Saturn Award-Best Make-Up: nominated
2002BAFTA Film Award-Best Make Up/Hair: nominated
2002Special Achievement Award-: winner
2002Make-up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild Award-Best Special Makeup Effects - Feature: winner
2002OFTA Film Award-Best Makeup and Hairstyling: nominated
2002PFCS Award-Best Makeup: winner
2003Saturn Award-Best Make-Up: nominated
2004Saturn Award-Best Make Up: nominated
2005OFTA Film Award-Best Makeup and Hairstyling: nominated
2008Oscar-Best Achievement in Makeup: nominated
2009Gold Derby Film Award-Makeup/Hair: nominated
2009OFTA Film Award-Best Makeup and Hairstyling: nominated
2011Oscar-Best Achievement in Makeup: winner
2011Saturn Award-Best Make-Up: winner
2011Gold Derby Film Award-Makeup/Hair: winner
2015Cinema Bloggers Award-Best Make-Up - International Competition: nominated
2015IOMA-Best Makeup (Miglior trucco): nominated
2015Artisan-Best Special Makeup Effects - Feature Films: nominated