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{{short description|American make-up artist}}
{{Other people|John Chambers}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name = John Chambers
| name = John Chambers
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| birth_place = [[Chicago]], [[Illinois]], U.S.
| birth_place = [[Chicago]], [[Illinois]], U.S.
| death_date = {{death date and age|2001|8|25|1922|9|12}}
| death_date = {{death date and age|2001|8|25|1922|9|12}}
| death_place = [[Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California|Woodland Hills]]<br />[[Los Angeles]], [[California]], U.S.
| death_place = [[Los Angeles]], [[California]], U.S.
| nationality =
| nationality =
| other_names =
| other_names =
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}}
}}


'''John Chambers''' (September 12, 1922{{spaced ndash}}August 25, 2001) was an American [[make-up artist]] and [[prosthetic makeup]] expert in both television and film. He received an [[Academy Honorary Award]] from [[The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences]] in 1968. He is best known for creating the pointed ears of [[Spock]] in the television series ''[[Star Trek: The Original Series|Star Trek]]'' (1966), and for his groundbreaking prosthetic make-up work on the ''[[Planet of the Apes]]'' film franchise.
'''John Chambers''' (September 12, 1922{{spaced ndash}}August 25, 2001) was an American [[make-up artist]] and [[prosthetic makeup]] expert in both television and film. He received an [[Academy Honorary Award]] from the [[Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences]] in 1968. He is best known for creating the pointed ears of [[Spock]] in the television series ''[[Star Trek: The Original Series|Star Trek]]'' (1966), and for his groundbreaking prosthetic make-up work on the ''[[Planet of the Apes]]'' film franchise.


Chambers was awarded CIA's [[Intelligence Medal of Merit]] for his involvement in the [[Canadian Caper]], in which six American hostages escaped during the 1979 [[Iran hostage crisis]]. The incident was the basis of the film ''[[Argo (2012 film)|Argo]]'', which won the 2012 [[Academy Award for Best Picture]],<ref name=wt12/> and in which Chambers was played by [[John Goodman]].
Chambers was awarded CIA's [[Intelligence Medal of Merit]] for his involvement in the [[Canadian Caper]], in which six American hostages escaped during the 1979 [[Iran hostage crisis]]. The incident was the basis of the film ''[[Argo (2012 film)|Argo]]'', which won the 2012 [[Academy Award for Best Picture]],<ref name=wt12/> and in which Chambers was played by [[John Goodman]].
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==Career==
==Career==
Chambers trained as a commercial artist and started his career designing jewelry and carpets.<ref name= guardian01>{{cite news |title=Obituary:John Chambers: Make-up master responsible for Hollywood's finest space-age creatures|first= Brian| last= Pendreigh|url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/2001/sep/07/guardianobituaries.filmnews |work=The Guardian |date=7 September 2001 |accessdate=Feb 27, 2013}}</ref> Following service as a [[United States Army|U.S. Army]] dental technician during [[World War II]], Chambers found employment repairing faces<ref>{{cite news|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DlYEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA82 |title=Would You Believe Maurice Evans? |work=[[Life (magazine)|Life]] |date=August 18, 1967 |accessdate=2012-01-03}}</ref> and making prosthetic limbs for wounded veterans at the [[United States Department of Veterans Affairs|Veterans Affairs]] hospital in [[Hines, Illinois]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://theforbidden-zone.com/news/chambersnews.shtml |title=Oscar-Winning Makeup Artist Dies at 78 |publisher=Theforbidden-zone.com |date= |accessdate=January 3, 2012}}</ref> He also trained under [[Ben Nye]], then head of make-up at [[20th Century Fox]].<ref>{{cite book |title=Cheap Tricks and Class Acts: Special Effects, Makeup and Stunts from the Fantastic Fifties |first=John |last= Johnson |publisher=McFarland |year=1996|isbn=0786400935 |page=389 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NHzeZZOUD6QC&q=John%20Chambers&pg=PA389 |ref= }}</ref>
Chambers trained as a commercial artist and started his career designing jewelry and carpets.<ref name= guardian01>{{cite news |title=Obituary:John Chambers: Make-up master responsible for Hollywood's finest space-age creatures|first= Brian| last= Pendreigh|url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/2001/sep/07/guardianobituaries.filmnews |work=The Guardian |date=7 September 2001 |access-date=Feb 27, 2013}}</ref> Following service as a [[United States Army|U.S. Army]] dental technician during [[World War II]], Chambers found employment repairing faces<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DlYEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA82 |title=Would You Believe Maurice Evans? |magazine=[[Life (magazine)|Life]] |date=August 18, 1967 |access-date=2012-01-03}}</ref> and making prosthetic limbs for wounded veterans at the [[United States Department of Veterans Affairs|Veterans Affairs]] hospital in [[Hines, Illinois]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://theforbidden-zone.com/news/chambersnews.shtml |title=Oscar-Winning Makeup Artist Dies at 78 |publisher=Theforbidden-zone.com |access-date=January 3, 2012}}</ref> He also trained under [[Ben Nye]], then head of make-up at [[20th Century Fox]].<ref>{{cite book |title=Cheap Tricks and Class Acts: Special Effects, Makeup and Stunts from the Fantastic Fifties |first=John |last= Johnson |publisher=McFarland |year=1996|isbn=0786400935 |page=389 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NHzeZZOUD6QC&q=John%20Chambers&pg=PA389 }}</ref>


In 1953, Chambers joined the [[NBC]] television network as a make-up artist for live shows. After working on his first film ''[[Around the World in Eighty Days (1956 film)|Around the World in Eighty Days]]'' in 1956, he then joined [[Universal Pictures]]. He attracted attention for his work on the film ''[[The List of Adrian Messenger]]'', in which the audience had to guess which celebrities were concealed under Chambers' makeup; the actors' identities were not revealed until the end of the film. Chambers also worked on ''[[The Munsters]]'' and ''[[The Outer Limits (1963 TV series)|The Outer Limits]]'' TV series.
In 1953, Chambers joined the [[NBC]] television network as a make-up artist for live shows. After working on his first film ''[[Around the World in Eighty Days (1956 film)|Around the World in Eighty Days]]'' in 1956, he then joined [[Universal Pictures]]. He attracted attention for his work on the film ''[[The List of Adrian Messenger]]'', in which the audience had to guess which celebrities were concealed under Chambers' makeup; the actors' identities were not revealed until the end of the film. Chambers also worked on ''[[The Munsters]]'' and ''[[The Outer Limits (1963 TV series)|The Outer Limits]]'' TV series.
[[File:Roddy McDowall Planet of the Apes makeup 1974.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Prosthetic makeup design for [[Roddy McDowell]] in ''[[Planet of the Apes (TV series)|Planet of the Apes]]'' TV series (1974) ]]
[[File:Roddy McDowall Planet of the Apes makeup 1974.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Prosthetic makeup design for [[Roddy McDowall]] in ''[[Planet of the Apes (TV series)|Planet of the Apes]]'' TV series (1974) ]]
Chambers became known worldwide for his work on the ''[[Planet of the Apes]]'' film franchise, which began with [[Planet of the Apes (1968 film)|the eponymous 1968 film]]. During its production, he held training sessions at the 20th Century Fox studios to mentor the other 78 artists working on the film.<ref>{{cite book |title=Sci-Fi Swarm and Horror Horde: Interviews with 62 Filmmakers |first= Tom |last= Weaver |publisher= McFarland |year=2010|isbn=978-0786458318 |page=314 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=50AbUfJS6OkC&q=John%20Chambers%20makeup%20artist&pg=PA314 |ref= }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title= Million dollars worth of make-up obliterates some famous faces |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DlYEAAAAMBAJ&q=John+Chambers+makeup+artist&pg=PA82 |work=Life|date=18 Aug 1967| page= 82 |accessdate=Feb 27, 2013}}</ref> He won an [[Academy Honorary Award|honorary Oscar]] at the [[41st Academy Awards]] in 1969 for his work on film, long before the [[Academy Award for Best Makeup]] was established in 1981.<ref name=guardian01/> He was the first motion picture makeup artist to receive a star on the [[Hollywood Walk of Fame]].<ref name=monster>{{cite web| title= The Makeup Man and the Monster: John Chambers and the Patterson Bigfoot Suit| url= http://www.strangemag.com/chambers17.html| first= Mark |last= Chorvinsky| work= Strange Magazine |number= 17| date= Summer 1996}}</ref>
Chambers became known worldwide for his work on the ''[[Planet of the Apes]]'' film franchise, which began with [[Planet of the Apes (1968 film)|the eponymous 1968 film]]. During its production, he held training sessions at the 20th Century Fox studios to mentor the other 78 artists working on the film.<ref>{{cite book |title=Sci-Fi Swarm and Horror Horde: Interviews with 62 Filmmakers |first= Tom |last= Weaver |publisher= McFarland |year=2010|isbn=978-0786458318 |page=314 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=50AbUfJS6OkC&q=John%20Chambers%20makeup%20artist&pg=PA314 }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title= Million dollars worth of make-up obliterates some famous faces |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DlYEAAAAMBAJ&q=John+Chambers+makeup+artist&pg=PA82 |magazine=Life|date=18 Aug 1967| page= 82 |access-date=Feb 27, 2013}}</ref> He won an [[Academy Honorary Award|honorary Oscar]] at the [[41st Academy Awards]] in 1969 for his work on film, long before the [[Academy Award for Best Makeup]] was established in 1981.<ref name=guardian01/> He was the first motion picture makeup artist to receive a star on the [[Hollywood Walk of Fame]].<ref name=monster>{{cite web| title= The Makeup Man and the Monster: John Chambers and the Patterson Bigfoot Suit| url= http://www.strangemag.com/chambers17.html| first= Mark |last= Chorvinsky| work= Strange Magazine |number= 17| date= Summer 1996}}</ref>


Chambers worked on the [[television pilot|pilot episode]] of ''[[Mission: Impossible (1966 TV series)|Mission Impossible]]'' and created the pointed ears worn by [[Leonard Nimoy]]'s Spock in the original ''[[Star Trek: The Original Series|Star Trek]]'' television series.<ref>{{cite web|location= New Orleans |url=http://www.nola.com/movies/index.ssf/2012/10/argo_review.html |archive-url=https://archive.is/20130130030840/http://www.nola.com/movies/index.ssf/2012/10/argo_review.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 30, 2013 |title='Argo' review: Ben Affleck brilliantly balances history and humor in geopolitical thriller |website=NOLA.com |first= Mike |last= Scott | publisher= The Times-Picayune |date= October 12, 2012 |accessdate=2012-11-05}}</ref> He also created [[Lee Marvin]]'s prosthetic nose for his Academy Award-winning role in ''[[Cat Ballou]]'' (1965), and a prosthetic chest for [[Richard Harris]] in ''[[A Man Called Horse (film)|A Man Called Horse]]'' (1970), where he was hung on pins for a native American initiation ceremony.<ref name=guardian01/> Some of his character creations, including [[Cornelius (Planet of the Apes)|Cornelius]] and [[Dr. Zaius]] from the ''Planet of the Apes'' series, are on display at [[The Science Fiction Museum]] in Seattle. Chambers served as president of the [[Society of Makeup Artists]] as well.<ref name= monster />
Chambers worked on the [[television pilot|pilot episode]] of ''[[Mission: Impossible (1966 TV series)|Mission Impossible]]'' and created the pointed ears worn by [[Leonard Nimoy]]'s Spock in the original ''[[Star Trek: The Original Series|Star Trek]]'' television series.<ref>{{cite web|location= New Orleans |url=http://www.nola.com/movies/index.ssf/2012/10/argo_review.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130130030840/http://www.nola.com/movies/index.ssf/2012/10/argo_review.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 30, 2013 |title='Argo' review: Ben Affleck brilliantly balances history and humor in geopolitical thriller |website=NOLA.com |first= Mike |last= Scott | publisher= The Times-Picayune |date= October 12, 2012 |access-date=2012-11-05}}</ref> He also created [[Lee Marvin]]'s prosthetic nose for his Academy Award-winning role in ''[[Cat Ballou]]'' (1965), and a prosthetic chest for [[Richard Harris]] in ''[[A Man Called Horse (film)|A Man Called Horse]]'' (1970), where he was hung on pins for a native American initiation ceremony.<ref name=guardian01/> Some of his character creations, including [[Cornelius (Planet of the Apes)|Cornelius]] and [[Dr. Zaius]] from the ''Planet of the Apes'' series, are on display at [[The Science Fiction Museum]] in Seattle. Chambers served as president of the [[Society of Makeup Artists]] as well.<ref name= monster />


==Work with the CIA==
==Work with the CIA==
[[File:Argo CIA poster.jpg|thumb|left|160px|Movie poster of fake sci-fi film ''Argo'', created as part of the cover story for [[Canadian Caper]]]]
[[File:Argo CIA poster.jpg|thumb|left|160px|Movie poster of fake sci-fi film ''Argo'', created as part of the cover story for [[Canadian Caper]]]]
In the late 1970s, Chambers worked as a contractor for the CIA, creating "disguise kits" for CIA personnel stationed in other countries.<ref>{{cite web|last=Laurier |first=Joanne |url=http://www.wsws.org/articles/2001/dec2001/cia-d12.shtml |title=US cable channel whitewashes the CIA |publisher=International Committee of the Fourth International |date=December 12, 2001 |accessdate=January 3, 2012}}</ref><ref>[http://www.thetechnicaladvisor.com/pages/news/harrison_ford.html ] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090402072454/http://www.thetechnicaladvisor.com/pages/news/harrison_ford.html |date=April 2, 2009 }}</ref> Some of his work can be seen at the [[International Spy Museum]] in [[Washington D.C.]].
In the late 1970s, Chambers worked as a contractor for the CIA, creating "disguise kits" for CIA personnel stationed in other countries.<ref>{{cite web|last=Laurier |first=Joanne |url=http://www.wsws.org/articles/2001/dec2001/cia-d12.shtml |title=US cable channel whitewashes the CIA |publisher=International Committee of the Fourth International |date=December 12, 2001 |access-date=January 3, 2012}}</ref><ref>[http://www.thetechnicaladvisor.com/pages/news/harrison_ford.html ] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090402072454/http://www.thetechnicaladvisor.com/pages/news/harrison_ford.html |date=April 2, 2009 }}</ref> Some of his work can be seen at the [[International Spy Museum]] in [[Washington D.C.]]


In 1980, Chambers was enlisted by [[Central Intelligence Agency|CIA]] officer [[Tony Mendez]] to work on the [[Canadian Caper]]—the rescue of six American embassy personnel who hid at the residence of the Canadian ambassador during the [[Iran hostage crisis]]. Chambers set up a fake movie and production company as a cover story of a film crew planning to shoot a science fiction film, titled ''Argo'', in Iran.<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Joshuah |last=Bearman |url=https://www.wired.com/wired/archive/15.05/feat_cia.html |title=How the CIA Used a Fake Sci-Fi Flick to Rescue Americans from Tehran |magazine=Wired |date=April 24, 2007 |accessdate=January 3, 2012}}</ref> To make the cover believable, Chambers used actor [[Michael Douglas]]'s former office during the filming of ''[[The China Syndrome]]'' (1979) at
In 1980, Chambers was enlisted by [[Central Intelligence Agency|CIA]] officer [[Tony Mendez]] to work on the [[Canadian Caper]]—the rescue of six American embassy personnel who hid at the residence of the Canadian ambassador during the [[Iran hostage crisis]]. Chambers set up a fake movie and production company as a cover story of a film crew planning to shoot a science fiction film, titled ''Argo'', in Iran.<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Joshuah |last=Bearman |url=https://www.wired.com/wired/archive/15.05/feat_cia.html |title=How the CIA Used a Fake Sci-Fi Flick to Rescue Americans from Tehran |magazine=Wired |date=April 24, 2007 |access-date=January 3, 2012}}</ref> To make the cover story believable, Chambers used actor [[Michael Douglas]]'s former office during the filming of ''[[The China Syndrome]]'' (1979) at
[[Sunset Gower Studios]]. Chambers and Mendez printed fake business cards, held a film press party at a nightclub in Los Angeles, and took out advertisements in ''Variety'' and ''The Hollywood Reporter'' magazines. Fellow make-up artist Robert Sidell and his wife Andi assisted in the hoax; Andi posed as the receptionist of their fake production company.<ref name=la12>{{cite news |title='Argo': John Chambers' friends recall the renowned makeup man |url=http://articles.latimes.com/2012/oct/23/entertainment/la-et-mn-john-chambers-argo-20121023 |newspaper= Los Angeles Times |date=October 23, 2012|quote= "Sidell said he and his wife, Andi, who was the fake production company's receptionist, and Chambers never really talked about those events.." (page 1)|author=Susan King|accessdate=March 6, 2013}}</ref>
[[Sunset Gower Studios]]. Chambers and Mendez printed fake business cards, held a film press party at a nightclub in Los Angeles, and took out advertisements in ''Variety'' and ''The Hollywood Reporter'' magazines. Fellow make-up artist Robert Sidell and his wife Andi assisted in the hoax; Andi posed as the receptionist of their fake production company.<ref name=la12>{{cite news |title='Argo': John Chambers' friends recall the renowned makeup man |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-xpm-2012-oct-23-la-et-mn-john-chambers-argo-20121023-story.html |newspaper= Los Angeles Times |date=October 23, 2012|quote= "Sidell said he and his wife, Andi, who was the fake production company's receptionist, and Chambers never really talked about those events.." (page 1)|author=Susan King|access-date=March 6, 2013}}</ref>


The rescue effort was successful, and Chambers was awarded CIA's [[Intelligence Medal of Merit]],<ref name=wt12>{{cite news |title=Tony Mendez, clandestine CIA hero of Ben Affleck's 'Argo,' reveals the real story behind film smash|author= Patrick Hruby |url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/oct/10/hollywood-cant-make-this-up-argo-recounts-the-cia-/?page=all |newspaper=The Washington Times |date=October 10, 2012 |accessdate=March 6, 2013}}</ref><ref name=la12/> but he was required to keep his involvement a secret, until the story was declassified in 1997. In the 2012 [[Academy Award for Best Picture]]-winning film ''[[Argo (2012 film)|Argo]]'', Chambers was portrayed by [[John Goodman]].<ref name=Ebert>{{cite web|title=Toronto #4: And the winner is... |url=http://blogs.suntimes.com/ebert/2012/09/toronto_4_and_the_winner_is.html |work=Roger Ebert's Journal |publisher=Chicago Sun-Times |accessdate=September 14, 2012 |author=Roger Ebert |date=September 10, 2012 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140708193821/http://www.rogerebert.com/rogers-journal/toronto-4-and-the-winner-is |archivedate=July 8, 2014 }}</ref>
The rescue effort was successful, and Chambers was awarded CIA's [[Intelligence Medal of Merit]],<ref name=wt12>{{cite news |title=Tony Mendez, clandestine CIA hero of Ben Affleck's 'Argo,' reveals the real story behind film smash|author= Patrick Hruby |url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/oct/10/hollywood-cant-make-this-up-argo-recounts-the-cia-/?page=all |newspaper=The Washington Times |date=October 10, 2012 |access-date=March 6, 2013}}</ref><ref name=la12/> but he was required to keep his involvement a secret, until the story was declassified in 1997. In the 2012 [[Academy Award for Best Picture]]-winning film ''[[Argo (2012 film)|Argo]]'', Chambers was portrayed by [[John Goodman]].<ref name=Ebert>{{cite web|title=Toronto #4: And the winner is... |url=http://blogs.suntimes.com/ebert/2012/09/toronto_4_and_the_winner_is.html |work=Roger Ebert's Journal |publisher=Chicago Sun-Times |access-date=September 14, 2012 |author=Roger Ebert |date=September 10, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140708193821/http://www.rogerebert.com/rogers-journal/toronto-4-and-the-winner-is |archive-date=July 8, 2014 }}</ref>


==Later life==
==Later life==
Chambers retired in 1982<ref>{{cite magazine |title=A Tribute to John Chambers |url=http://www.makeupmag.com/article/id/584/ |issue=5 |date=February–March 1997 |magazine=Make-Up Artist Magazine |accessdate=Feb 27, 2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121118125413/http://makeupmag.com/article/id/584/ |archivedate=2012-11-18 }}</ref> and lived in a retirement community, the [[Motion Picture Country Home]], in [[Woodland Hills, California]]. In 1998, a documentary, ''A Tribute to John Chambers'' (1998), directed by [[Scott Essman]], was released.<ref>{{IMDb title|0426268|A Tribute to John Chambers}}</ref> That same year, he was named 94th in the list of "100 most influential people in the history of the movies".<ref>{{cite book |title=The film 100: a ranking of the most influential people in the history of the movies |author=Scott Smith |authorlink= |publisher=Carol Pub |year=1998|isbn=0806519401 |page=285 |url= |ref= }}</ref> Chambers was also given a "star" on the [[Hollywood Walk of Fame]] at [[List of stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame#C|7006 Hollywood Boulevard]], one of few make-up artists to have one.
Chambers retired in 1982<ref>{{cite magazine |title=A Tribute to John Chambers |url=http://www.makeupmag.com/article/id/584/ |issue=5 |date=February–March 1997 |magazine=Make-Up Artist Magazine |access-date=Feb 27, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121118125413/http://makeupmag.com/article/id/584/ |archive-date=2012-11-18 }}</ref> and lived in a retirement community, the [[Motion Picture Country Home]], in [[Woodland Hills, California]]. In 1998, a documentary, ''A Tribute to John Chambers'' (1998), directed by Scott Essman, was released.<ref>{{IMDb title|0426268|A Tribute to John Chambers}}</ref> That same year, he was named 94th in the list of "100 most influential people in the history of the movies".<ref>{{cite book |title=The film 100: a ranking of the most influential people in the history of the movies |author=Scott Smith |publisher=Carol Pub |year=1998|isbn=0806519401 |page=285 }}</ref> Chambers was also given a "star" on the [[Hollywood Walk of Fame]] at [[List of stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame#C|7006 Hollywood Boulevard]], one of few make-up artists to have one.


Chambers died on August 25, 2001 in a California hospital, at age 78. He was survived by his wife Joan.<ref name=guardian01/>
Chambers died on August 25, 2001, in a California hospital, at age 78. He was survived by his wife Joan.<ref name=guardian01/>


==Complete filmography==
==Complete filmography==
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* ''[[Beneath the Planet of the Apes]]'' (1970)
* ''[[Beneath the Planet of the Apes]]'' (1970)
* ''[[Beyond the Valley of the Dolls]]'' (1970) (uncredited)
* ''[[Beyond the Valley of the Dolls]]'' (1970) (uncredited)
* ''[[The Mephisto Waltz]]' (1971) (uncredited)
* ''[[The Mephisto Waltz]]'' (1971) (uncredited)
* ''[[Escape from the Planet of the Apes]]'' (1971)
* ''[[Escape from the Planet of the Apes]]'' (1971)
* ''[[Slaughterhouse-Five (film)|Slaughterhouse-Five]]'' (1972)
* ''[[Slaughterhouse-Five (film)|Slaughterhouse-Five]]'' (1972)
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* ''Up from the Ape'' (1975 documentary)
* ''Up from the Ape'' (1975 documentary)
* ''Twigs'' (1975 TV movie)
* ''Twigs'' (1975 TV movie)
* ''[[Jaws (film)|Jaws]]'' (1975) (uncredited)
* ''[[Embryo (1976 film)|Embryo]]'' (1976)
* ''[[Embryo (1976 film)|Embryo]]'' (1976)
* ''[[Beauty and the Beast (1976 TV film)|Beauty and the Beast]]'' (1976 TV movie)
* ''[[Beauty and the Beast (1976 TV film)|Beauty and the Beast]]'' (1976 TV movie)
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==Partial television credits==
==Partial television credits==
:''For the 1976 TV movie, see above.''
{{For|the 1976 TV movie|#Complete filmography}}
* ''[[Shirley Temple Theatre]] '' (1960–1961)
* ''[[Shirley Temple Theatre]] '' (1960–1961)
* ''[[The Outer Limits (1963 TV series)|The Outer Limits]]'' (1963)
* ''[[The Outer Limits (1963 TV series)|The Outer Limits]]'' (1963)
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==External links==
==External links==
*{{IMDb name|name=John Chambers|id=0150357}}
*{{IMDb name|name=John Chambers|id=0150357}}
* [http://www.fandor.com/blog/the-film-100-john-chambers-no-94 The Film 100: John Chambers, No. 94, Profile]
* [http://www.fandor.com/blog/the-film-100-john-chambers-no-94 The Film 100: John Chambers, No. 94, Profile] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160117030233/https://www.fandor.com/blog/the-film-100-john-chambers-no-94 |date=2016-01-17 }}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20130310043140/http://makeupmag.com/featured/id/1026/ Argo' Artifacts on Display, October 10, 2012]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20130310043140/http://makeupmag.com/featured/id/1026/ Argo' Artifacts on Display, October 10, 2012]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20101029002854/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/john-chambers-729387.html Obituary]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20101029002854/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/john-chambers-729387.html Obituary]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VH7xZKV4EME Video: Peter Jackson and Adam Savage examine John Chambers' CIA make-up kit]


{{Academy Honorary Award}}
{{Academy Honorary Award}}
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[[Category:1922 births]]
[[Category:1922 births]]
[[Category:2001 deaths]]
[[Category:2001 deaths]]
[[Category:Academy Honorary Award recipients]]
[[Category:American make-up artists]]
[[Category:American make-up artists]]
[[Category:Artists from Chicago]]
[[Category:American people of Irish descent]]
[[Category:American people of Irish descent]]
[[Category:Academy Honorary Award recipients]]
[[Category:Artists from Chicago]]
[[Category:Planet of the Apes]]
[[Category:Planet of the Apes]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Intelligence Medal of Merit]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Intelligence Medal of Merit]]
[[Category:United States Army personnel of World War II]]

Latest revision as of 09:49, 20 November 2024

John Chambers
BornSeptember 12, 1922
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
DiedAugust 25, 2001(2001-08-25) (aged 78)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupation(s)Make-up artist, prosthetic makeup expert

John Chambers (September 12, 1922 – August 25, 2001) was an American make-up artist and prosthetic makeup expert in both television and film. He received an Academy Honorary Award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 1968. He is best known for creating the pointed ears of Spock in the television series Star Trek (1966), and for his groundbreaking prosthetic make-up work on the Planet of the Apes film franchise.

Chambers was awarded CIA's Intelligence Medal of Merit for his involvement in the Canadian Caper, in which six American hostages escaped during the 1979 Iran hostage crisis. The incident was the basis of the film Argo, which won the 2012 Academy Award for Best Picture,[1] and in which Chambers was played by John Goodman.

Early life and education

[edit]

Chambers was born in Chicago, Illinois, to an Irish-American family. His father Michael emigrated from Newport in Ireland.

Career

[edit]

Chambers trained as a commercial artist and started his career designing jewelry and carpets.[2] Following service as a U.S. Army dental technician during World War II, Chambers found employment repairing faces[3] and making prosthetic limbs for wounded veterans at the Veterans Affairs hospital in Hines, Illinois.[4] He also trained under Ben Nye, then head of make-up at 20th Century Fox.[5]

In 1953, Chambers joined the NBC television network as a make-up artist for live shows. After working on his first film Around the World in Eighty Days in 1956, he then joined Universal Pictures. He attracted attention for his work on the film The List of Adrian Messenger, in which the audience had to guess which celebrities were concealed under Chambers' makeup; the actors' identities were not revealed until the end of the film. Chambers also worked on The Munsters and The Outer Limits TV series.

Prosthetic makeup design for Roddy McDowall in Planet of the Apes TV series (1974)

Chambers became known worldwide for his work on the Planet of the Apes film franchise, which began with the eponymous 1968 film. During its production, he held training sessions at the 20th Century Fox studios to mentor the other 78 artists working on the film.[6][7] He won an honorary Oscar at the 41st Academy Awards in 1969 for his work on film, long before the Academy Award for Best Makeup was established in 1981.[2] He was the first motion picture makeup artist to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.[8]

Chambers worked on the pilot episode of Mission Impossible and created the pointed ears worn by Leonard Nimoy's Spock in the original Star Trek television series.[9] He also created Lee Marvin's prosthetic nose for his Academy Award-winning role in Cat Ballou (1965), and a prosthetic chest for Richard Harris in A Man Called Horse (1970), where he was hung on pins for a native American initiation ceremony.[2] Some of his character creations, including Cornelius and Dr. Zaius from the Planet of the Apes series, are on display at The Science Fiction Museum in Seattle. Chambers served as president of the Society of Makeup Artists as well.[8]

Work with the CIA

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Movie poster of fake sci-fi film Argo, created as part of the cover story for Canadian Caper

In the late 1970s, Chambers worked as a contractor for the CIA, creating "disguise kits" for CIA personnel stationed in other countries.[10][11] Some of his work can be seen at the International Spy Museum in Washington D.C.

In 1980, Chambers was enlisted by CIA officer Tony Mendez to work on the Canadian Caper—the rescue of six American embassy personnel who hid at the residence of the Canadian ambassador during the Iran hostage crisis. Chambers set up a fake movie and production company as a cover story of a film crew planning to shoot a science fiction film, titled Argo, in Iran.[12] To make the cover story believable, Chambers used actor Michael Douglas's former office during the filming of The China Syndrome (1979) at Sunset Gower Studios. Chambers and Mendez printed fake business cards, held a film press party at a nightclub in Los Angeles, and took out advertisements in Variety and The Hollywood Reporter magazines. Fellow make-up artist Robert Sidell and his wife Andi assisted in the hoax; Andi posed as the receptionist of their fake production company.[13]

The rescue effort was successful, and Chambers was awarded CIA's Intelligence Medal of Merit,[1][13] but he was required to keep his involvement a secret, until the story was declassified in 1997. In the 2012 Academy Award for Best Picture-winning film Argo, Chambers was portrayed by John Goodman.[14]

Later life

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Chambers retired in 1982[15] and lived in a retirement community, the Motion Picture Country Home, in Woodland Hills, California. In 1998, a documentary, A Tribute to John Chambers (1998), directed by Scott Essman, was released.[16] That same year, he was named 94th in the list of "100 most influential people in the history of the movies".[17] Chambers was also given a "star" on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 7006 Hollywood Boulevard, one of few make-up artists to have one.

Chambers died on August 25, 2001, in a California hospital, at age 78. He was survived by his wife Joan.[2]

Complete filmography

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Partial television credits

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For the 1976 TV movie, see § Complete filmography.

References

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  1. ^ a b Patrick Hruby (October 10, 2012). "Tony Mendez, clandestine CIA hero of Ben Affleck's 'Argo,' reveals the real story behind film smash". The Washington Times. Retrieved March 6, 2013.
  2. ^ a b c d Pendreigh, Brian (7 September 2001). "Obituary:John Chambers: Make-up master responsible for Hollywood's finest space-age creatures". The Guardian. Retrieved Feb 27, 2013.
  3. ^ "Would You Believe Maurice Evans?". Life. August 18, 1967. Retrieved 2012-01-03.
  4. ^ "Oscar-Winning Makeup Artist Dies at 78". Theforbidden-zone.com. Retrieved January 3, 2012.
  5. ^ Johnson, John (1996). Cheap Tricks and Class Acts: Special Effects, Makeup and Stunts from the Fantastic Fifties. McFarland. p. 389. ISBN 0786400935.
  6. ^ Weaver, Tom (2010). Sci-Fi Swarm and Horror Horde: Interviews with 62 Filmmakers. McFarland. p. 314. ISBN 978-0786458318.
  7. ^ "Million dollars worth of make-up obliterates some famous faces". Life. 18 Aug 1967. p. 82. Retrieved Feb 27, 2013.
  8. ^ a b Chorvinsky, Mark (Summer 1996). "The Makeup Man and the Monster: John Chambers and the Patterson Bigfoot Suit". Strange Magazine.
  9. ^ Scott, Mike (October 12, 2012). "'Argo' review: Ben Affleck brilliantly balances history and humor in geopolitical thriller". NOLA.com. New Orleans: The Times-Picayune. Archived from the original on January 30, 2013. Retrieved 2012-11-05.
  10. ^ Laurier, Joanne (December 12, 2001). "US cable channel whitewashes the CIA". International Committee of the Fourth International. Retrieved January 3, 2012.
  11. ^ [1] Archived April 2, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  12. ^ Bearman, Joshuah (April 24, 2007). "How the CIA Used a Fake Sci-Fi Flick to Rescue Americans from Tehran". Wired. Retrieved January 3, 2012.
  13. ^ a b Susan King (October 23, 2012). "'Argo': John Chambers' friends recall the renowned makeup man". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 6, 2013. "Sidell said he and his wife, Andi, who was the fake production company's receptionist, and Chambers never really talked about those events.." (page 1)
  14. ^ Roger Ebert (September 10, 2012). "Toronto #4: And the winner is..." Roger Ebert's Journal. Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on July 8, 2014. Retrieved September 14, 2012.
  15. ^ "A Tribute to John Chambers". Make-Up Artist Magazine. No. 5. February–March 1997. Archived from the original on 2012-11-18. Retrieved Feb 27, 2013.
  16. ^ A Tribute to John Chambers at IMDb
  17. ^ Scott Smith (1998). The film 100: a ranking of the most influential people in the history of the movies. Carol Pub. p. 285. ISBN 0806519401.
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