Richard Taylor
- Known For
- Costume & Make-Up
- Born
- February 8, 1965 in Cheadle, Cheshire, England, UK
- Active Years
- 1989–2024 (36 Years)
- Total Credits
- 51 credits in database
Biography
Richard Taylor is a filmmaker born on February 8, 1965, in Cheadle, Cheshire, England. Known professionally for his work in costume and makeup, he is the founder, creative director, and head of the New Zealand-based film prop and special effects company Weta Workshop. Throughout his career, he has been credited for his contributions to the film industry in roles including costume designer, makeup artist, and visual effects specialist. His professional credits total 40, and he is also known by the name Sir Richard Leslie Taylor. He is recognized for his extensive involvement in the production of film and television projects, maintaining a career focused on the technical and creative aspects of cinematic visual design.
Career overview
Richard Taylor is a filmmaker born on February 8, 1965, in Cheadle, Cheshire, England. He is recognized for his professional contributions to the film industry, specifically within the fields of costume design, makeup, and visual effects. Taylor is the founder, creative director, and head of Weta Workshop, a New Zealand-based company specializing in film props and special effects.
Throughout his career, Taylor has established a significant body of work, with 40 known credits listed in film databases. His professional identity is also associated with the name Sir Richard Leslie Taylor. As a specialist in costume and makeup, he has contributed his expertise to various productions, maintaining a career that spans multiple facets of technical filmmaking.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
51 titles- TAISU PROJECT (2024) Director
- No Way to Make a Living: A Look Back at 'The Frighteners' (2022) as Self
- Dune (2021) Special Effects
- Creature Designers: The Frankenstein Complex (2015) as Self
- Reggie & Thunderbirds: No Strings Attached (2015)
- The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (2014) Costume Design
- The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013) Costume Design
- The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012) Creature Design
- The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012) Costume Designer
- The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012) Creature Technical Director
- The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012) Armorer
- The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012) Special Effects Key Makeup Artist
- The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012) Weapons Master
- Daybreakers (2010) Makeup Effects
- Avatar (2009) Conceptual Design
- District 9 (2009) Effects Supervisor
- Bitch Slap (2009) Other
- The WotWots (2009) Creator
- RKO Production 601: The Making of “Kong, the Eighth Wonder of the World” (2008) as Self
- RKO Production 601: The Making of “Kong, the Eighth Wonder of the World” (2008) Art Direction
- The Making of 'The Return of the King' (2006) as Self
- The Making of 'The Fellowship of the Ring' (2006) as Self
- Recreating the Eighth Wonder: The Making of 'King Kong' (2006) as Self
- King Kong (2005) Creature Technical Director
- King Kong (2005) Makeup Supervisor
- A Filmmaker's Journey: Making 'The Return of the King' (2004) as Self
- The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003) as Corsair of Umbar (uncredited)
- The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003) Costume Design
- The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003) Special Effects Makeup Artist
- The Quest Fulfilled: A Director's Vision (2003) as Self
- Perfect Strangers (2003) Makeup Effects Designer
- The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002) Costume Design
- The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002) Makeup Supervisor
- The Fellowship of the Ring: From Book to Script (2002) as Self
- The Fellowship of the Ring: The Road Goes Ever On.. (2002) as Self
- The Fellowship of the Ring: Cameras in Middle-earth (2002) as Self
- The Fellowship of the Ring: Scale (2002) as Self
- The Fellowship of the Ring: Big-atures (2002) as Self
- The Fellowship of the Ring: Designing and Building Middle-earth + Weta Workshop + Costume Design (2002) as Self
- The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) Costume Design
- The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) Makeup Supervisor
- Passage to Middle-Earth: The Making of 'The Lord of the Rings' (2001) as Self, director of WETA Workshop
- Beyond the Movie: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) as Self
- Quest for the Ring (2001) as Self
- The Making of 'The Frighteners' (1998) as Self
- Saving Grace (1998) Special Effects
- Forgotten Silver (1997) as First Aviator (uncredited)
- The Ugly (1997) Special Effects Makeup Artist
- Hercules: The Legendary Journeys (1995) Special Effects Key Makeup Artist
- Sex, Drugs and Soft Toys - The Making of Meet the Feebles (1989) as Self
- Hard-Wired Humanity Effects Supervisor
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Richard Taylor best known for?
Richard Taylor is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Dune (2021), Creature Designers: The Frankenstein Complex (2015), The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (2014), The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013).
When and where was Richard Taylor born?
Richard Taylor was born on February 8, 1965 in Cheadle, Cheshire, England, UK.
How many credits does Richard Taylor have?
Richard Taylor has accumulated over 51 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1989 to 2024.
What is Richard Taylor's background in cinema and television?
Richard Taylor is a filmmaker born on February 8, 1965, in Cheadle, Cheshire, England. Known professionally for his work in costume and makeup, he is the founder, creative director, and head of the New Zealand-based film prop and special effects company Weta Workshop. Throughout his career, he has been credited for his...
Richard Taylor by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003) as Corsair of Umbar (uncredited) — aged about 38
- Creature Designers: The Frankenstein Complex (2015) as Self — aged about 50
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