Greg Cannom, a revered figure in the world of cinematic makeup and prosthetics with a career spanning four decades, has died at the age of 73.
“His work will be remembered long after his passing. Sad news indeed. RIP Greg, you and your work will be missed,” Baker captioned his post. No cause of death has been publicly disclosed.
Cannom, a four-time Academy Award winner, was widely celebrated for his transformative work on films such as 1992’s “Bram Stoker’s Dracula,” 1993’s “Mrs. Doubtfire,” 2008’s “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” and 2018’s “Vice.”
He also earned six other Oscar nominations for his work on 1991’s “Hook,” 1992’s “Hoffa,” 1995’s “Roommates,” 1997’s “Titanic,” 1999’s “Bicentennial Man,” and 2001’s “A Beautiful Mind.” In 2005, Cannom received the Academy Award for Technical Achievement for developing a modified silicone material used in makeup applications, shared with fellow artist Wesley Wofford.
Cannom earned five Emmy nominations for his work in television, including recognition for the finale of NBC’s “Will & Grace,” where he aged the cast by two decades. His influence extended into pop culture such as his work with Baker on Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” video, where he also appeared in a close-up as a zombie.
Cannom’s peers in the makeup industry lauded his contributions. In 2018, the Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild awarded him its Lifetime Achievement Award. He also received two Saturn Awards and three honors from the same guild throughout his career.
In March 2023, members of the makeup community launched a GoFundMe to assist Cannom with mounting medical costs related to diabetes, shingles, and a serious staph infection that led to a below-the-knee leg amputation. The campaign ultimately raised over $100,000, surpassing its original goal.
His final credited film was “The Eyes of Tammy Faye” (2021), where he co-designed prosthetics for Jessica Chastain’s portrayal of televangelist Tammy Faye Bakker.
