Vanish Magic Magazine no. 39

Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be a magician.
I
always thought I would be in film or television. I was one of the winners of the Kodak Movie
Awards in 1971. First place went to Ron Howard that year. Mine was a special award for
comedy, even though my films were all about makeup. I set my sights on being a makeup
artist, emulating Dick Smith. It was about creating characters. I spent my senior year in High
School not being in class, but hanging out on the set of Dark Shadows, the gothic soap opera. I
learned a great deal there, techniques I still use today.
I became friends with Bob Kelly of Bob Kelly cosmetics and wigs. Bobs’ shop did most of
the wigs on Broadway, and later Saturday Night Live. Bob helped me get interviews at the
Metropolitan Opera and entry level spots with the New York local makeup artist union. At this
time there wasn’t a need or interest in prosthetic makeup work. This was pre Star Wars, so I
began to look elsewhere.
I decided college was the place to be. In college I focused on theatrical design, sets, lighting,
costumes etc. There were no makeup classes but I was allowed to hold and teach makeup
between semesters my senior year.
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