RB
Rick Baker
Actor, Producer, Additional CreditsBorn December 8, 1950 (75 years)
Richard A. Baker (born December 8, 1950) is a retired American special make-up effects creator and actor, mostly known for his creature effects and designs. Baker won the Academy Award for Best Makeup a record seven times from a record eleven nominations, beginning when he won the inaugural award for the 1981 film An American Werewolf in London.
As a teen, Baker began creating artificial body parts in his own kitchen. He also appeared briefly in the fan production The Night Turkey, a one-hour, black-and-white video parody of The Night Stalker directed by William Malone. Baker's first professional job was as an assistant to prosthetic makeup effects veteran Dick Smith on the 1973 film The Exorcist. While working on The Exorcist, Baker was hired by director Larry Cohen to design and create a mutant infant for Cohen's 1974 film It's Alive.
Baker received the inaugural Academy Award for Best Makeup for his work on An American Werewolf in London. He also created the werewolf creature Michael Jackson transforms into in the music video Thriller. Subsequently, Baker has been nominated for the Best Makeup Oscar ten more times, winning on seven occasions, both records in his field.
Baker claims that his work on Harry and the Hendersons is one of his proudest achievements.[8] On October 3, 2009, he received the Jack Pierce – Lifetime Achievement Award title of the Chiller-Eyegore Awards.[9]
He was awarded a Doctorate of Humane Letters from the Academy of Art University San Francisco in 2008. He also contributes commentaries to the web series Trailers from Hell for trailers about horror and science fiction films.
Baker received the 2485th star of the Hollywood Walk of Fame on November 30, 2012. The star is located in front of the Guinness World Records Museum.
Baker announced his retirement on May 28, 2015: "First of all, the CG stuff definitely took away the animatronics part of what I do. It's also starting to take away the makeup part. The time is right, I am 64 years old, and the business is crazy right now. I like to do things right, and they wanted cheap and fast. That is not what I want to do, so I just decided it is basically time to get out. I would consider designing and consulting on something, but I don't think I will have a huge working studio anymore."
As a teen, Baker began creating artificial body parts in his own kitchen. He also appeared briefly in the fan production The Night Turkey, a one-hour, black-and-white video parody of The Night Stalker directed by William Malone. Baker's first professional job was as an assistant to prosthetic makeup effects veteran Dick Smith on the 1973 film The Exorcist. While working on The Exorcist, Baker was hired by director Larry Cohen to design and create a mutant infant for Cohen's 1974 film It's Alive.
Baker received the inaugural Academy Award for Best Makeup for his work on An American Werewolf in London. He also created the werewolf creature Michael Jackson transforms into in the music video Thriller. Subsequently, Baker has been nominated for the Best Makeup Oscar ten more times, winning on seven occasions, both records in his field.
Baker claims that his work on Harry and the Hendersons is one of his proudest achievements.[8] On October 3, 2009, he received the Jack Pierce – Lifetime Achievement Award title of the Chiller-Eyegore Awards.[9]
He was awarded a Doctorate of Humane Letters from the Academy of Art University San Francisco in 2008. He also contributes commentaries to the web series Trailers from Hell for trailers about horror and science fiction films.
Baker received the 2485th star of the Hollywood Walk of Fame on November 30, 2012. The star is located in front of the Guinness World Records Museum.
Baker announced his retirement on May 28, 2015: "First of all, the CG stuff definitely took away the animatronics part of what I do. It's also starting to take away the makeup part. The time is right, I am 64 years old, and the business is crazy right now. I like to do things right, and they wanted cheap and fast. That is not what I want to do, so I just decided it is basically time to get out. I would consider designing and consulting on something, but I don't think I will have a huge working studio anymore."
Movies & Shows on Plex
Known For
Rick Baker Filmography
| 2025 | V/H/S/Halloween · as Rich (segment "home Haunt") |
| 2018 | |
| 2017 | Rings · as Vendor |
| 2014 | The Strain (TV Series) · as Brooklyn Guy |
| 2012 | Men in Black³ · as Brain Alien |
| 2012 | Unchained Reaction (TV Series) |
| 2011 | Face Off (TV Series) · as Guest Judge |
| 2010 | The Wolfman · as Gypsy Man / First Killed |
| 2009 | 6 Beers of Separation · as Cast |
| 2008 | Dark Reel · as First Mate |
| 2005 | King Kong · as Pilot |
| 2004 | The 50 Worst Movies Ever Made · as Cast |
| 2003 | Michael Jackson: Number Ones · as Zombie (segment: Thriller) |
| 2002 | Men in Black II · as Mib Passport Control Agent |
| 2001 | Planet of the Apes · as Old Ape #2 |
| 2000 | How the Grinch Stole Christmas · as Puppeteer |
| 1997 | Michael Jackson: HIStory on Film - Volume II · as Zombie (segment: Thriller) |
| 1989 | Troldspejlet (TV Series) · as Old Ape #2 |
| 1985 | Into the Night · as Drug Dealer |
| 1983 | Michael Jackson's Thriller · as Zombie Opening The Crypt (uncredited) |
| 1981 | An American Werewolf in London · as Nazi Werewolf |
| 1981 | The Incredible Shrinking Woman · as Sidney |
| 1977 | The Kentucky Fried Movie · as Dino (segment "a.m. Today") (as Richard A. Baker) |
| 1976 | King Kong · as King Kong |
| 1973 | Schlock · as Crippled Kid |
| 1972 | The Thing with Two Heads · as Gorilla |
| 1972 | Zorgon: The H-Bomb Beast from Hell · as Cast |
| 1990 | Gremlins 2: The New Batch · as Co-Producer |
| 1988 | Gorillas in the Mist · as Associate Producer |
| 2025 | Being Eddie · as Self - Make-Up Artist |
| 2024 | |
| 2023 | Thriller 40 · as Self |
| 2022 | Icons Unearthed (TV Series) · as Self - Makeup Artist |
| 2019 | |
| 2018 | DC Daily (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2017 | King Cohen · as Self |
| 2017 | Cult of Terror · as Self - Make-Up Designer |
| 2017 | Face Off: Game Face (TV Series) · as Self - Judge |
| 2015 | |
| 2012 | Blood and Guts with Scott Ian (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2012 | Beast Wishes · as Self |
| 2011 | The 83rd Annual Academy Awards · as Self - Winner |
| 2009 | Post Mortem with Mick Garris (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2009 | |
| 2009 | The Project (2009) (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2009 | Monsterland · as Self |
| 2007 | The Search for the Next Elvira (TV Series) · as Self (judge) |
| 2007 | Creature People · as Self |
| 2006 | |
| 2006 | Made in Hollywood: Teen Edition (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2006 | The Sci-Fi Boys · as Self |
| 2005 | The 100 Greatest Family Films · as Self |
| 2005 | The Perfect Scary Movie · as Self |
| 2005 | The Art of Imagination: A Tribute to Oz · as Self |
| 2005 | |
| 2005 | Made In Hollywood (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2005 | |
| 2003 | The 100 Greatest Scary Moments · as Self |
| 2002 | |
| 2001 | The 73rd Annual Academy Awards · as Self - Winner |
| 2001 | The Making of 'Planet of the Apes' · as Self - Creator & Designer: Special Make-Up Effects |
| 1998 | A Tribute to John Chambers · as Self |
| 1998 | A Tribute to Dick Smith · as Self |
| 1998 | The 70th Annual Academy Awards · as Self - Winner: Best Makeup |
| 1997 | The Making of Men in Black · as Self |
| 1997 | The 69th Annual Academy Awards · as Self - Winner |
| 1997 | Area 51: The Alien Interview · as Self |
| 1995 | The 67th Annual Academy Awards · as Self - Winner |
| 1995 | Svengoolie (TV Series) · as Self - ('hey, Svengoolie') Cameo |
| 1994 | |
| 1994 | Movie Magic (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1994 | |
| 1992 | Heartstoppers: Horror at the Movies · as Self |
| 1992 | HBO First Look (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1991 | Charlie Rose (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1990 | The Horror Hall of Fame · as Self |
| 1988 | The 60th Annual Academy Awards · as Self - Winner |
| 1986 | The Making of 'Captain Eo' · as Self |
| 1986 | Fangoria's Weekend of Horrors · as Self |
| 1983 | The Making of 'Thriller' · as Self |
| 1982 | The 54th Annual Academy Awards · as Self - Winner |
| 1978 | 20/20 (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2014 | Maleficent · as Makeup Artist |
| 2012 | Men in Black³ · as Makeup Artist |
| 2010 | Tron: Legacy · as Makeup Artist |
| 2010 | The Wolfman · as Makeup Effects Designer |
| 2007 | Enchanted · as Special Effects Makeup Artist |
| 2007 | Norbit · as Makeup Artist |
| 2006 | Click · as Special Effects Makeup Artist |
| 2005 | Cursed · as Special Effects Makeup Artist |
| 2002 | The Ring · as Makeup Artist |
| 2002 | Men in Black II · as Makeup Artist |
| 2001 | Planet of the Apes · as Makeup Effects Designer |
| 2000 | How the Grinch Stole Christmas · as Makeup Effects Designer |
| 2000 | Nutty Professor II: The Klumps · as Special Effects Makeup Artist |
| 1999 | Wild Wild West · as Makeup Effects Designer |
| 1998 | Mighty Joe Young · as Makeup Artist |
| 1998 | Psycho · as Makeup Artist |
| 1997 | Men in Black · as Makeup Artist |
| 1996 | Michael Jackson's Ghosts · as Makeup Artist |
| 1996 | Escape from L.A. · as Makeup Artist |
| 1996 | The Frighteners · as Makeup Artist |
| 1996 | The Nutty Professor · as Makeup Effects Designer |
| 1995 | Batman Forever · as Makeup Artist |
| 1994 | Ed Wood · as Makeup Designer |
| 1994 | Baby's Day Out · as Makeup Artist |
| 1994 | Wolf · as Makeup Artist |
| 1993 | |
| 1993 | Matinee · as Makeup Artist |
| 1991 | The Rocketeer · as Makeup Artist |
| 1990 | Dark Avenger · as Makeup Artist |
| 1990 | Gremlins 2: The New Batch · as Special Effects Supervisor |
| 1988 | Missing Link · as Makeup Artist |
| 1988 | Gorillas in the Mist · as Makeup Artist |
| 1988 | Coming to America · as Makeup Artist |
| 1987 | Summer School · as Makeup Artist |
| 1987 | Harry and the Hendersons · as Makeup Artist |
| 1986 | Max My Love · as Makeup Effects Designer |
| 1986 | Ratboy · as Makeup Artist |
| 1985 | Silver Bullet · as Visual Effects |
| 1985 | My Science Project · as Makeup Artist |
| 1984 | Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes · as Makeup Artist |
| 1983 | Michael Jackson's Thriller · as Makeup Effects Designer |
| 1983 | Videodrome · as Makeup Effects Designer |
| 1981 | Ghost Story · as Special Effects Makeup Artist |
| 1981 | An American Werewolf in London · as Makeup Artist |
| 1981 | The Funhouse · as Special Effects Makeup Artist |
| 1981 | The Incredible Shrinking Woman · as Makeup Artist |
| 1981 | The Howling · as Special Effects Makeup Artist |
| 1980 | Altered States · as Special Effects Makeup Artist |
| 1980 | Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back · as Makeup Artist |
| 1979 | An American Christmas Carol · as Makeup Artist |
| 1978 | It Lives Again · as Makeup Artist |
| 1978 | The Fury · as Makeup Artist |
| 1977 | The Incredible Melting Man · as Makeup Artist |
| 1977 | Star Wars · as Makeup Artist |
| 1977 | Cop Killers · as Makeup Artist |
| 1976 | The Zebra Force · as Makeup Artist |
| 1976 | King Kong · as Makeup Artist |
| 1976 | Squirm · as Makeup Designer |
| 1976 | Track of the Moon Beast · as Makeup Artist |
| 1974 | It's Alive · as Makeup Artist |
| 1974 | The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman · as Makeup Artist |
| 1973 | Schlock · as Makeup Artist |
| 1973 | Black Caesar · as Makeup Designer |
| 1972 | Bone · as Makeup Designer |
| 1971 |