Ray Harryhausen
Biography
Raymond Ray Harryhausen was an American visual effects creator, writer, and producer. Born on June 29, 1920, in Los Angeles, California, United States, he lived in London, England, from 1960 until his death on May 7, 2013, at the age of 92. He created a brand of stop-motion model animation known as Dynamation. His most important works include the animation on Mighty Joe Young, created with pioneer Willis O'Brien, which won the Academy Award for special effects in 1949. His other significant films are The 7th Voyage of Sinbad, which was his first color film, and Jason and the Argonauts, which featured a famous sword fight against seven skeleton warriors. He accumulated 76 known credits in the visual effects field during his career.
Career overview
Raymond Ray Harryhausen was an American visual effects creator, writer, and producer born in Los Angeles, California, on June 29, 1920. He lived in London, England, from 1960 until his death on May 7, 2013, at the age of 92. Known for his work in visual effects with seventy-six known credits, Harryhausen created a distinct brand of stop-motion model animation known as Dynamation.
Among his most important works is the animation on Mighty Joe Young, created with pioneer Willis O'Brien, which won the Academy Award for special effects in 1949. His career also included The 7th Voyage of Sinbad, which marked his first color film, and Jason and the Argonauts, which featured a famous sword fight against seven skeleton warriors.
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Career timeline
Full Filmography
99 titles- Wonderful Tales by Ray Harryhausen (2018) Director
- El hombre que quiso ser Segundo (2014) as Self
- Ray Harryhausen: Special Effects Titan (2012) as Self
- Burke & Hare (2010) as Distinguished Doctor
- The Boneyard Collection (2008) as Ray Harryhausen (segment "Her Morbid Desires")
- RKO Production 601: The Making of “Kong, the Eighth Wonder of the World” (2008) as Self
- El último truco (2008) as Self
- Visual Effects: The Thief of Bagdad (2008) as Self
- Masters of Magic: The World of Chandu (2008) as Self
- Famous Monster: Forrest J Ackerman (2007) as Self
- Unsung Maestros: A Directors Tribute (2007) Thanks
- Color, Split Screen and Rear Projection Tests (2006) Director
- The Sci-Fi Boys (2006) as Self
- The Jupiterian (2006) Director
- The Elementals (2006)
- The Elementals (2006) as Unnamed Man
- The Elementals (2006) Director
- Commercial Demo (2006) Director
- War of the Worlds (2006)
- War of the Worlds (2006) Director
- Adventures of Baron Munchausen (2006)
- Adventures of Baron Munchausen (2006) Director
- Cave Bear & Dinosaurs (2006) as (Commentary) (Voice)
- Cave Bear & Dinosaurs (2006) Director
- Cave Bear & Dinosaurs (2006) Camera Operator
- Ray Harryhausen: The Early Years Collection (2005) as Self
- Ray Harryhausen: The Early Years Collection (2005) Director
- The Making of the Tortoise & the Hare (2005)
- The Sky Is Falling: Making 'The War of the Worlds' (2005) as Self
- T-Rex: A Dinosaur in Hollywood (2005) as Himself
- Mighty Joe Young: A Conversation with Ray Harryhausen and the Chiodo Brothers (2005) as Self
- Mighty Joe Young: Ray Harryhausen and Mighty Joe Young (2005) as Himself
- Comic Book: The Movie (2004) as Ray Harryhausen
- Elf (2003) as Polar Bear Cub (voice)
- Return to the Valley (2003) as Himself
- The Story of The Tortoise & the Hare (2002) Director
- From Star Wars to Star Wars: The Story of Industrial Light & Magic (1999) as Self
- Ray Harryhausen: Working with Dinosaurs (1999) as Self
- Attack of the 50 Foot Monster Mania (1999) as Himself
- Mighty Joe Young (1998) as Gentleman at Party
- The Harryhausen Chronicles (1997) as Self
- Beverly Hills Cop III (1994) as Bar Patron
- Flesh and Blood: The Hammer Heritage of Horror (1994) as Self
- Hollywood Goes Ape! (1994) as Himself
- Dinosaur Movies (1993)
- Ray Harryhausen: Movement Into Life (1990) as Himself
- The RKO Story: Tales From Hollywood (1987) as Self
- The Fantasy Film Worlds of George Pal (1986) as Self
- Spies Like Us (1985) as Dr. Marston
- Aliens, Dragons, Monsters & Me (1983) as Himself
- Clash of the Titans (1981) Producer
- Clash of the Titans (1981) Visual Effects
- The South Bank Show (1978) as Self
- Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger (1977) Producer
- Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger (1977) Story
- Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger (1977) Visual Effects
- The Golden Voyage of Sinbad (1973) Producer
- The Golden Voyage of Sinbad (1973) Story
- The Golden Voyage of Sinbad (1973) Visual Effects
- Monsters and Magic (1972) as Self
- Film '72 (1971) as Self
- The Valley of Gwangi (1969) Visual Effects
- The Valley of Gwangi (1969) Associate Producer
- Omnibus (1967)
- One Million Years B.C. (1966) Visual Effects
- First Men in the Moon (1964) Visual Effects
- Jason and the Argonauts (1963) Visual Effects
- Jason and the Argonauts (1963) Associate Producer
- Mysterious Island (1961) Visual Effects
- The 3 Worlds of Gulliver (1960) Visual Effects
- The 7th Voyage of Sinbad (1958) Story
- The 7th Voyage of Sinbad (1958) Visual Effects
- The 7th Voyage of Sinbad (1958) Associate Producer
- 20 Million Miles to Earth (1957) as Man Feeding Elephant (uncredited)
- 20 Million Miles to Earth (1957) Visual Effects
- The 27th Day (1957) Special Effects
- Earth vs. the Flying Saucers (1956) Visual Effects
- The Animal World (1956) Special Effects
- It Came from Beneath the Sea (1955) Visual Effects
- The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms (1953) Visual Effects
- The Story of King Midas (1953) Director
- The Story of King Midas (1953) Producer
- The Story of Rapunzel (1951) Director
- The Story of Hansel and Gretel (1951) Director
- Mighty Joe Young (1949) Visual Effects
- The Story of Little Red Riding Hood (1949) Director
- Nursery Rhyme Review (1946) Director
- Nursery Rhyme Review (1946) Animation
- Nursery Rhyme Review (1946) Producer
- Guadalcanal (1943) Cinematography
- Guadalcanal (1943) Director
- Guadalcanal (1943) Producer
- How to Bridge a Gorge (1942) Cinematography
- How to Bridge a Gorge (1942) Animation
- How to Bridge a Gorge (1942) Director
- Tulips Shall Grow (1942) Animation
- Evolution of the World (1940) Director
- Evolution of the World (1940) Visual Effects
- The AckerMonster Chronicles!
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Ray Harryhausen best known for?
Ray Harryhausen is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Burke & Hare (2010), Elf (2003), Mighty Joe Young (1998), Beverly Hills Cop III (1994).
When and where was Ray Harryhausen born?
Ray Harryhausen was born on June 29, 1920 in Los Angeles, California, USA. They passed away on May 7, 2013.
How many credits does Ray Harryhausen have?
Ray Harryhausen has accumulated over 99 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1940 to 2018.
What is Ray Harryhausen's background in cinema and television?
Raymond Ray Harryhausen was an American visual effects creator, writer, and producer. Born on June 29, 1920, in Los Angeles, California, United States, he lived in London, England, from 1960 until his death on May 7, 2013, at the age of 92. He created a brand of stop-motion model animation known as Dynamation. His most...
Ray Harryhausen by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Omnibus (1967) — aged about 47
- Elf (2003) as Polar Bear Cub (voice) — aged about 83
- Mighty Joe Young (1998) as Gentleman at Party — aged about 78
- 20 Million Miles to Earth (1957) as Man Feeding Elephant (uncredited) — aged about 37
- Spies Like Us (1985) as Dr. Marston — aged about 65
- Burke & Hare (2010) as Distinguished Doctor — aged about 90
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