Late Sunday evening Hollywood lost a legend as Stan Winston passed away after a 7 year battle with cancer. Winston was one of the premier visual effects and make-up artists in the business.

Most movie fans will remember Winston's creations better than the man himself. His effects studio, and in a large part Winston himself, were responsible for bringing us the metallic Terminators, the cerebral Aliens from Aliens (for which he won his first of four Academy Awards), Predators, and of course the dinosaurs of Jurassic Park (For which he won another Oscar).

Winston won two more Academy Awards for his work on Terminator 2, He worked with Tim Burton on Edward Scissorhands and Batman Begins, and more of his work can be seen in Congo, The Ghost and the Darkness, and one of my favorites Monster Squad, among many more.

I'd also like to note that Winston also directed the horror film Pumpkinhead. This movie, which bombed on release has since become a cult classic, and was responsible for many nights of sleeping with my closet light on and having nightmares about the horrible creature from that movie. (A creature I still have problems with looking at pictures of today)

Most recently Winston's work could be seen in this summer's Iron Man, as he was responsible for the practical suit which was used as much as possible before being filled in with digital effects.

Winston's contribution to the industry was enormous and his impact will be felt for generations to come.

My thoughts and prayers go out to the Winston family in this difficult time.

Labels: Legacy, Stan Winston