STUART FREEBORN (1914-2013)

Make-up artist Stuart Freeborn passed away on Tuesday in London at the age of 98.  For many cinegeeks, Freeborn was one of the magical behind-the-scenes people who’s participation in a project guaranteed a level of quality.

Freeborn broke into the industry in 1948 working on David Lean‘s Oliver Twist, designing the hair and make-up worn by Alec Guinness (this was after several uncredited jobs which included The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp and The Thief of Bagdad).  The BAFTA award winner worked on a number of classic and beloved films including The Bridge on the River Kwai, The Dam Busters, The Mouse That Roared,  Dr. Strangelove, 2001: A Space Odyssey, The Omen, The Great Muppet Caper, Top Secret! and the Superman films with Christopher Reeve.

For myself, personally, Freeborn affected my life with his work on the original Star Wars Trilogy.  In addition to contributing countless creatures (including Wampas, Ewoks and Tauntauns) to the films, Freeborn also designed such iconic characters as Jabba The Hutt, Greedo, Yoda (whom he based on himself) and my favorite character in the Star Wars series, Chewbacca, brought to life by Peter Mayhew.

George Lucas commented on Freeborn’s passing:

“Stuart was already a makeup legend when he started on Star Wars,”
said George Lucas. “He brought with him not only decades of experience,
but boundless creative energy. His artistry and craftsmanship will live
on forever in the characters he created. His Star Wars creatures
may be reinterpreted in new forms by new generations, but at their
heart, they continue to be what Stuart created for the original films.”

Check out some great pics of Freeborn and his creations.

Miscellaneous Mos Eisley Cantina characters from Star Wars

Yoda, Freeborn and Empire Strikes Back director Irvin Kershner

Freeborn and Superman flying models with heads he designed with Reeve’s likeness

Chewbacca face

Kershner, Freeborn and Yoda

Touching up Reeve as Evil Superman in Superman III

Yoda and Freeborn

Wampa!

Freeborn and Peter Mayhew

Freeborn and his Superman: The Movie makeup designs

Ewok

With ape costumes from 2001: A Space Odyssey

Touching up Superman

Jabba The Hutt, Bib Fortuna, and Salacious Crumb

Han Solo on full-size tauntaun

Chewie getting combed; Greedo in the background