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Professor Griffin says goodbye to make-up artist William Tuttle

Published at: Aug. 2, 2007, 11:17 p.m. CST by quint

Hey folks. Quint here with an obit sent in by Professor Griffin for one of the old school make-up pioneers, William Tuttle, who recently passed. Here are the words from the Professor:

William Tuttle has died. What does the future look like? Ask William Tuttle. To him, the future is populated by delicate pale and whispy Eloi, and brutal albino Morlocks. What are the 7 faces of Dr. Lao? Ask William Tuttle. The timeless Chinese Mystic appeared as a brutish pale white Yeti, a mind-bending Medusa, a blind seer of the future, an ancient doddering Merlin with memories of glory, a sinful Pan, a fever-dream snake, and of course as a slight, bald, old man...with a gold Donkey and a rather dangerous goldfish in a jar. Who kept Walter Pidgeon looking good on the Forbidden Planet? William Tuttle. Who made sure The King of Rock and Roll looked perfect as he 'danced to the jailhouse rock'? William Tuttle. Who put a fuzzy gremlin on the wing of William Shatner's plane? Who twisted the faces of greedy relations at a midnight Mardi Gras party into MASKS? William Tuttle. And who was responsible for the Immortal Seattle Killer that Carl Kolchak encounters in the Night Strangler??? Yeah, it was William.... He was certainly NOT as well known as some of is contemporaries, but his work was. I suppose that's the real reward for a make-up artist, a master of his craft...to have his work live on after him. And it will... Rest in Peace William Tuttle. And thank you for your talent. Your Tony Randall as Medusa certainly gave ME nightmares as a child and I'll never forget it. Or you. -Sincerely, Prof. Griffin www.midnightshadowshow.com
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  • August 2, 2007 11:25 PM CST

    Goodnight to another old friend.

    by CaptainWalker

    sometimes the guys behind the wings who go un-noticed, are the ones who make the greatest impact.

  • August 2, 2007 11:50 PM CST

    First!

    by fritzlorrerains

    Woo hoo

  • August 2, 2007 11:59 PM CST

    Joel Hodgson is sad...

    by FilmCritic3000

    "Lao" is his favorite film. What a master Tuttle was. R.I.P.

  • August 3, 2007 1:17 AM CST

    Goodbye to a master!

    by deadboy1313

    I was immediately saddened when I saw the name. While not as well known to this generation as people like Tom Savini or the Westmores, I knew of his work at an early age thanks to Famous Monsters of Filmland. (Which was published by the great Forrest J Ackerman, and then resurrected years later as a horrible aberration and joke by some thief whose name isn't even worth mentioning.) Yes, Tony Randall's brilliant performance in Dr Lao would not have been possible without the genius of Mr Tuttle, nor would many other classics. We salute you Mr Tuttle. You were one of the masters in a bygone age where the magic was made through skilled craftsmen, not manipulated through computers.

  • August 3, 2007 1:32 AM CST

    One of the greatest has left us.

    by Uncapie

    Sad to see someone who had such an influence on all our childhoods pass on. He did such a wonderful job with his work that we will always have fond memories of those films that made us dream of faraway places with imaginary people that he created and that is a great moment in time he left behind for all of us.

  • August 3, 2007 3:06 AM CST

    All the best mate

    by half vader

    Dr. Lao is one of my favourite movies too. Yes, I guess even with that whiny wussy kid in it! The Dr. Lao makeup itself was my favourite of all of the characters though.

    He made Wilbur from Mr. Ed into a flaming haired Scot in the Time Machine, too. Man, every time I see those two films on I always end up watching the whole thing. He did Young Frankenstein too. Probably time to watch that George Pal doco again...

  • August 3, 2007 4:47 AM CST

    One of the greats

    by Shoegeezer

    There's good chapter on Tuttle in the book Making A Monster. He was a real innovator, despite his long tenures within the studio system and tv work. Morlocks, The Eye Of The Beholder TZ episode, even Box the robot from Logan's Run. Did great work for Disney Halloween specials as well. Left a great legacy.

  • August 3, 2007 5:13 AM CST

    Great list of credits

    by Col. Tigh-Fighter

    RIP

  • August 3, 2007 8:35 AM CST

    Thanks for the memories

    by tucson

    "And youth may come and age may go, but no more circuses like this show."

  • August 3, 2007 9:19 AM CST

    I grew up in awe of Mr.Tuttles work..

    by mr dark

    He was one of the best at his craft.. He will be missed. 7 faces was a showcase of his talent..

  • August 3, 2007 4:09 PM CST

    Ta-ta, Tuttle..

    by Traumnovelle

    i just wanted to use that Seinfeld quote.

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