Stuart Freeborn, ‘Star Wars’ Makeup Artist, Dies at 98

Published on 02-08-2013 02:58 AM

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Stuart Freeborn, a movie makeup artist whose alchemy helped shape the outlandish space creatures that stalk the “Star Wars” films — including the big-eared, big-brained little Yoda, whom he modeled after himself and Albert Einstein — died on Tuesday in London. He was 98.

George Lucas, the “Star Wars” director, announced his death, calling him “a makeup legend.”
Mr. Freeborn worked on more than 75 movies, creating the makeup for stars like Marlene Dietrich, Burt Lancaster, Vivien Leigh and Gregory Peck. He created the looks of the three characters — Group Capt. Lionel Mandrake of the Royal Air Force, President Muffley and the paraplegic ex-Nazi Dr. Strangelove — Peter Sellers played in Stanley Kubrick’s 1964 black comedy, “Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb.”

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2 Comments

JediTricks - 02-08-2013
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98 years is a great run, but it's a sad loss none the less. His work on Yoda is still mindblowing to this day IMO, and of course he did Chewbacca and Greedo, so the man's genius will be apparent for all time. Watching his interviews on the DVDs and reading his words in the making of SW books, he seemed like a really grounded and interesting fellow.