Rick Baker
Costume & Make-Up Born Dec 8, 1950 Binghamton, New York, USA 165 credits
Biography
Rick Baker is a retired American special make-up effects creator and actor. Born on December 8, 1950, in Binghamton, New York, USA, he is known for his creature designs and effects. Baker began creating artificial body parts as a teenager in his own kitchen. His first professional job was as an assistant to prosthetic makeup effects veteran Dick Smith on the 1973 film The Ex. He won the Academy Award for Best Makeup a record seven times from a record eleven nominations, beginning with the 1981 film An American Werewolf in London. Baker appeared briefly in the fan production The Night Turkey, a one-hour, black-and-white video parody of The Night Stalker.
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Career overview
Rick Baker is a retired American special make-up effects creator. He began creating artificial body parts as a teenager in his own kitchen. Baker's first professional job was as an assistant to prosthetic makeup effects veteran Dick Smith on the 1973 film The Ex.
Baker is known for his creature designs and effects. He won the inaugural Academy Award for Best Makeup for the 1981 film An American Werewolf in London. This was the first of a record seven Academy Awards he won in the Best Makeup category from a total of eleven nominations.
Baker's career in the special make-up effects industry spanned many years and numerous films. He 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.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Gremlins, an american nightmare!
V/H/S/HalloweenOld Time Radio: The Specter of Christmas
Fear and Love: The Story of The Exorcist
Old Time Radio: Your Move
AGFA Mystery Mixtape #1The AGFA Mystery Mixtape VaultThe Creeper: Rondo Hatton at Universal
Making Apes: The Artists Who Changed FilmTales Beyond Madness
DC DailyKing Cohen: The Wild World of Filmmaker Larry CohenKeep the Gaslight Burning
Face Off: Game FaceCult of TerrorThe Beast Inside: Creating 'Wolf'MonsterKids: The Impact of Things That Go Bump In The Night
Charlie Gemora: Uncredited
Birth PainsCreature Designers: The Frankenstein Complex
Maleficent · Makeup ArtistThe Scanners Way: Creating the Special Effects in 'Scanners'
House of Wax: Unlike Anything You've Seen Before!
Men in Black 3Men in Black 3 · Makeup ArtistUnchained Reaction
Face Off
TRON: Legacy · Makeup ArtistThe WolfmanThe Wolfman · Makeup Effects DesignerThe Wolfman · Special Effects Makeup ArtistPure in Heart: The Life and Legacy of Lon Chaney, Jr.
MonsterlandBeware the Moon: Remembering 'An American Werewolf in London'I Walked with a Werewolf
RKO Production 601: The Making of “Kong, the Eighth Wonder of the World”He Who Made Monsters: The Life and Art of Jack Pierce
Norbit · Makeup ArtistEnchanted · Special Effects Makeup Artist
Click · Special Effects Makeup ArtistTeddy ScaresThe Sci-Fi BoysWorking with a Master: John Landis
Cursed · Special Effects Makeup ArtistThe Perfect Scary MovieRay Harryhausen: The Early Years CollectionThe Art of Imagination: A Tribute to Oz
Skinned Deep · ThanksEd Wood: Making BelaVideodrome: Forging the New Flesh
The Ring · Makeup EffectsThe Ring · Makeup ArtistMen in Black IIMen in Black II · Makeup ArtistMen in Black II: Creature Featurettes
Planet of the ApesPlanet of the Apes · Makeup Effects Designer
How the Grinch Stole ChristmasHow the Grinch Stole Christmas · Makeup Effects DesignerNutty Professor II: The Klumps · Special Effects Makeup ArtistMetamorphosis of 'Men in Black'Mummy Dearest: A Horror Tradition Unearthed
Wild Wild West · Makeup Effects DesignerLife · Special Effects Makeup ArtistThe 'Frankenstein' Files: How Hollywood Made a MonsterThe Road to 'Dracula'Monster by Moonlight! The Immortal Saga of 'The Wolf Man'
Mighty Joe Young · Special EffectsMighty Joe Young · Special Effects Makeup ArtistPsycho · Makeup Artist
Men in Black · Special Effects Makeup ArtistGhosts · Makeup EffectsGhosts · Makeup ArtistThe Making of Men in Black
The Frighteners · Makeup ArtistEscape from L.A. · Makeup ArtistThe Nutty Professor · Makeup Effects Designer
Batman Forever · Makeup ArtistThe Amazing Panda Adventure · Special Effects
Baby's Day Out · Makeup ArtistEd Wood · Makeup DesignerWolf · Makeup ArtistIt's Alive: The True Story of FrankensteinMasters of Illusion: The Wizards of Special Effects
Full Filmography
165 titles- Gremlins, an american nightmare! (2026) as Himself
- V/H/S/Halloween (2025) as Rich (segment "Home Haunt")
- Old Time Radio: The Specter of Christmas (2025) as The Caretaker
- Fear and Love: The Story of The Exorcist (2024) as Self
- Old Time Radio: Your Move (2023) as The Caretaker
- AGFA Mystery Mixtape #1 (2020) as Self
- The AGFA Mystery Mixtape Vault (2020) as (archive footage)
- The Creeper: Rondo Hatton at Universal (2020) as Self
- Making Apes: The Artists Who Changed Film (2019) as Self
- Tales Beyond Madness (2019)
- DC Daily (2018) as Self
- King Cohen: The Wild World of Filmmaker Larry Cohen (2018) as Self
- Keep the Gaslight Burning (2018) as Mr Maxwell
- Face Off: Game Face (2017) as Self - Judge
- Cult of Terror (2017) as Self - Make-up Designer
- The Beast Inside: Creating 'Wolf' (2017) as Rick Baker
- MonsterKids: The Impact of Things That Go Bump In The Night (2017) as Self
- Charlie Gemora: Uncredited (2016) as Himself
- Birth Pains (2015) as himself
- Creature Designers: The Frankenstein Complex (2015) as Self
- Maleficent (2014) Makeup Artist
- The Scanners Way: Creating the Special Effects in 'Scanners' (2014) as Himself
- House of Wax: Unlike Anything You've Seen Before! (2013) as Self
- Men in Black 3 (2012) as Brain Alien
- Men in Black 3 (2012) Makeup Artist
- Unchained Reaction (2012)
- Face Off (2011) as Guest Judge
- TRON: Legacy (2010) Makeup Artist
- The Wolfman (2010) as Gypsy Man / First Killed
- The Wolfman (2010) Makeup Effects Designer
- The Wolfman (2010) Special Effects Makeup Artist
- Pure in Heart: The Life and Legacy of Lon Chaney, Jr. (2010) as Self
- The Wolf Man: From Ancient Curse to Modern Myth (2010) as Self
- Monsterland (2009) as Self
- Beware the Moon: Remembering 'An American Werewolf in London' (2009) as Self
- I Walked with a Werewolf (2009) as Himself
- RKO Production 601: The Making of “Kong, the Eighth Wonder of the World” (2008) as Self
- He Who Made Monsters: The Life and Art of Jack Pierce (2008) as Self
- Norbit (2007) Makeup Artist
- Enchanted (2007) Special Effects Makeup Artist
- Click (2006) Special Effects Makeup Artist
- Teddy Scares (2006) as Hester Golem (voice)
- The Sci-Fi Boys (2006) as Self
- Working with a Master: John Landis (2006) as Self
- Cursed (2005) Special Effects Makeup Artist
- The Perfect Scary Movie (2005) as Self
- Ray Harryhausen: The Early Years Collection (2005) as Self
- The Art of Imagination: A Tribute to Oz (2005) as Self
- Skinned Deep (2004) Thanks
- Ed Wood: Making Bela (2004) as Self
- Videodrome: Forging the New Flesh (2004) as Self
- The Ring (2002) Makeup Effects
- The Ring (2002) Makeup Artist
- Men in Black II (2002) as MIB Passport Control Agent
- Men in Black II (2002) Makeup Artist
- Men in Black II: Creature Featurettes (2002) as Self
- Rick Baker: Alien Maker (2002) as Self
- Planet of the Apes (2001) as Old Ape #2
- Planet of the Apes (2001) Makeup Effects Designer
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000) as Puppeteer
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000) Makeup Effects Designer
- Nutty Professor II: The Klumps (2000) Special Effects Makeup Artist
- Metamorphosis of 'Men in Black' (2000) as Self
- Mummy Dearest: A Horror Tradition Unearthed (2000) as Self
- Wild Wild West (1999) Makeup Effects Designer
- Life (1999) Special Effects Makeup Artist
- The 'Frankenstein' Files: How Hollywood Made a Monster (1999) as Self
- The Road to 'Dracula' (1999) as Self
- Monster by Moonlight! The Immortal Saga of 'The Wolf Man' (1999) as Self
- She's Alive! Creating 'The Bride of Frankenstein' (1999) as Self
- A Tribute to the Wizard of Oz (1999) as Himself
- Mighty Joe Young (1998) Special Effects
- Mighty Joe Young (1998) Special Effects Makeup Artist
- Psycho (1998) Makeup Artist
- Men in Black (1997) Special Effects Makeup Artist
- Ghosts (1997) Makeup Effects
- Ghosts (1997) Makeup Artist
- The Making of Men in Black (1997) as Self
- The Frighteners (1996) Makeup Artist
- Escape from L.A. (1996) Makeup Artist
- The Nutty Professor (1996) Makeup Effects Designer
- Batman Forever (1995) Makeup Artist
- The Amazing Panda Adventure (1995) Special Effects
- Baby's Day Out (1994) Makeup Artist
- Ed Wood (1994) Makeup Designer
- Wolf (1994) Makeup Artist
- It's Alive: The True Story of Frankenstein (1994) as Self
- Masters of Illusion: The Wizards of Special Effects (1994) as Self
- Body Bags (1993) Makeup Artist
- Matinee (1993) Makeup Effects
- Matinee (1993) Makeup Artist
- The Rocketeer (1991) Makeup Artist
- Gremlins 2: The New Batch (1990) Special Effects
- Gremlins 2: The New Batch (1990) Creature Design
- Gremlins 2: The New Batch (1990) Special Effects Supervisor
- Gremlins 2: The New Batch (1990) Co-Producer
- Dark Avenger (1990) Makeup Artist
- Coming to America (1988) Makeup Effects
- Coming to America (1988) Makeup Artist
- Gorillas in the Mist (1988) Makeup Artist
- Missing Link (1988) Makeup Artist
- Harry and the Hendersons (1987) Makeup Artist
- Summer School (1987) Makeup Artist
- Beauty and the Beast (1987) Creature Design
- Max My Love (1986) Makeup Effects Designer
- Max My Love (1986) Sequence Lead
- The Making of Captain EO (1986) as Self
- Ratboy (1986) Makeup Artist
- Fangoria's Weekend of Horrors (1986) as Self
- King Kong! The Living Legend (1986) as Self / King Kong
- Silver Bullet (1985) Visual Effects
- Into the Night (1985) as Drug Dealer
- My Science Project (1985) Makeup Artist
- Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes (1984) Makeup Artist
- Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes (1984) Special Effects Makeup Artist
- Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes (1984) Creature Design
- Michael Jackson's Thriller (1983) as Zombie Opening the Crypt (uncredited)
- Michael Jackson's Thriller (1983) Makeup Effects Designer
- Videodrome (1983) Makeup Effects Designer
- Making Michael Jackson's Thriller (1983) as Self
- The Making of David Cronenberg's Videodrome (1982) as Interviewee
- An American Werewolf in London (1981) Makeup Effects
- An American Werewolf in London (1981) Makeup Artist
- The Howling (1981) Special Effects Makeup Artist
- The Funhouse (1981) Special Effects Makeup Artist
- Ghost Story (1981) Special Effects Makeup Artist
- Ghost Story (1981) Makeup Artist
- The Incredible Shrinking Woman (1981) as Sidney
- The Incredible Shrinking Woman (1981) Makeup Artist
- The Empire Strikes Back (1980) Makeup Artist
- Altered States (1980) Special Effects Makeup Artist
- Altered States (1980) Makeup Artist
- Tanya's Island (1980) Special Effects
- An American Christmas Carol (1979) Makeup Artist
- The Fury (1978) Makeup Effects
- The Fury (1978) Makeup Artist
- It Lives Again (1978) Makeup Effects
- It Lives Again (1978) Makeup Artist
- Star Wars (1977) Makeup Artist
- The Kentucky Fried Movie (1977) as Dino (segment "A.M. Today") (as Richard A. Baker)
- The Incredible Melting Man (1977) Makeup Artist
- Cop Killers (1977) Makeup Artist
- King Kong (1976) as King Kong
- King Kong (1976) Makeup Artist
- Squirm (1976) Makeup Designer
- Track of the Moon Beast (1976) Makeup Artist
- The Zebra Force (1976) Makeup Artist
- Flesh Gordon (1974) Special Effects
- It's Alive (1974) Makeup Artist
- It's Alive (1974) Special Effects Makeup Artist
- The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman (1974) Makeup Artist
- The Exorcist (1973) Special Effects Assistant
- Black Caesar (1973) Makeup Designer
- Black Caesar (1973) Special Effects
- Black Caesar (1973) Makeup Artist
- Schlock (1973) Makeup Artist
- Schlock (1973) Special Effects
- The Night Turkey (1973) as Little Kathy's Date
- The Night Turkey (1973) Makeup Artist
- The Thing with Two Heads (1972) as Gorilla
- The Thing with Two Heads (1972) Special Effects
- Bone (1972) Makeup Designer
- Bone (1972) Special Effects
- Octaman (1971) Costume Design
- Old Time Radio: Dance With Me as Caretaker
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Rick Baker best known for?
Rick Baker is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including V/H/S/Halloween (2025), Making Apes: The Artists Who Changed Film (2019), Creature Designers: The Frankenstein Complex (2015), Maleficent (2014).
When and where was Rick Baker born?
Rick Baker was born on December 8, 1950 in Binghamton, New York, USA.
How many credits does Rick Baker have?
Rick Baker has accumulated over 165 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1971 to 2026.
What is Rick Baker's background in cinema and television?
Rick Baker is a retired American special make-up effects creator and actor. Born on December 8, 1950, in Binghamton, New York, USA, he is known for his creature designs and effects. Baker began creating artificial body parts as a teenager in his own kitchen. His first professional job was as an assistant to prosthetic ...
Rick Baker by the numbers
165credits
160films
5TV series
1971–2026active years
Age in their best-rated roles
- Michael Jackson's Thriller (1983) as Zombie Opening the Crypt (uncredited) — aged about 32
- Creature Designers: The Frankenstein Complex (2015) as Self — aged about 64
- Face Off (2011) as Guest Judge — aged about 60
- Making Apes: The Artists Who Changed Film (2019) as Self — aged about 68
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000) as Puppeteer — aged about 49
- Men in Black 3 (2012) as Brain Alien — aged about 61
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