Oscar-Winning Makeup Artist Greg Cannom Dies at 73

Greg Cannom, an Oscar-winning makeup artist renowned for his pioneering work in prosthetics and special effects, has died at age 73 or 74 after battling serious health issues. Over a career spanning more than four decades, Cannom earned four Academy Awards for his work on Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Mrs. Doubtfire, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, and Vice, and was nominated for 14 Oscars in total. He was especially celebrated for his skill in aging makeup and creating memorable creatures, including iconic vampire effects in The Lost Boys, and contributed to numerous horror classics such as A Nightmare on Elm Street 3 and Alien 3. Cannom also received a Technical Achievement Award for developing a special modified silicone material for makeup applications and was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild in 2019. Fellow makeup artist Rick Baker, who worked with Cannom early in his career, paid tribute to his lasting impact on the industry and the memorable legacy he leaves behind. A GoFundMe campaign was set up in 2023 to support Cannom during his health struggles, including nerve damage and a leg amputation.