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{{Short description|American special effects artist (born September 17, 1953)}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name = Chris Walas
| name = Chris Walas
| image =
| image = Chris Walas.jpg
| caption =
| caption = Walas in his self made documentary detailing his life's work
| birth_name = Christopher James Walas
| birth_name = Christopher James Walas
| birth_date = c. 1955
| birth_date = {{Birth year and age|1955}}
| birth_place = [[Chicago]], [[Illinois]], US
| birth_place = [[Chicago, Illinois]], U.S.
| other_names = {{Plainlist|
| othername =
* Christopher Walas
| occupation = [[Make-up artist]]<br/>[[Film director|Director]]
* Christopher J. Walas
| website =
}}
| spouse =
| occupation = {{Plainlist|
* [[Special effect|Special effects artist]]
* [[Prosthetic makeup|Special make-up effects artist]]
* [[Film director]]
* [[Film producer]]
* [[Screenwriter]]
}}
| years_active = 1978–present
}}
}}


'''Christopher James Walas''' (born 1955) is an American special effects artist, make-up effects artist, film director, producer, and screenwriter. He is best known for his work on the film ''[[The Fly (1986 film)|The Fly]]'' (1986),<ref>{{cite news|author=Staff|title=From The Fly to A History of Violence: our writers pick their favourite Cronenberg movies|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=2 June 2022 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2022/jun/02/from-the-fly-to-a-history-of-violence-our-writers-pick-their-favourite-cronenberg-movies|access-date=July 8, 2022}}</ref> for which he won an [[Academy Awards|Academy Award]] and was nominated for two [[British Academy Film Awards]].
'''Chris Walas''' (born 1955) is an [[United States|American]] [[special effects]]/[[make-up artist]] and film director.


==Biography==
==Biography==
His main body of work is with special effects in a wide variety of movies from [[science fiction film|science fiction]] to action-adventure. His work on ''[[The Fly (1986 film)|The Fly]]'' led to his directorial debut on ''[[The Fly II]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/20881|title=Bring on the Gore: Top Ten Practical Effects in Horror!}}</ref> He also won an Academy Award for Special Effects Make-up on ''[[The Fly (1986 film)|The Fly]]'' and is well known for his creation of the [[Gremlins]]. Walas was also partially responsible for creating the famous sequence in ''[[Raiders of the Lost Ark]]'' when the Nazis melt from the intense heat created by the [[Ark of the Covenant]]. Walas created false heads for [[Ronald Lacey]], [[Wolf Kahler]], and [[Paul Freeman (actor)|Paul Freeman]].
His main body of work is with special effects in a wide variety of films, from [[science fiction film|science fiction]] to action-adventure. His work on ''[[The Fly (1986 film)|The Fly]]'' led to his directorial debut on ''[[The Fly II]]''.<ref>{{cite web|author=Chris Eggertsen|title=Bring on the Gore: Top Ten Practical Effects in Horror!|work=[[Bloody Disgusting]]|date=28 April 2016 |url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/editorials/20881/bring-on-the-gore-top-ten-practical-effects-in-horror/|access-date=July 8, 2022}}</ref> He also won an Academy Award for Special Effects Make-up on ''[[The Fly (1986 film)|The Fly]]'' and is well known for his creation of the [[Gremlins]]. Walas was also partially responsible for creating the famous sequence in ''[[Raiders of the Lost Ark]]'' when the Nazis melt from the intense heat created by the [[Ark of the Covenant]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Kelso Jacks|title=How Raiders of the Lost Ark's Face Melt Was Filmed (Without CGI)|work=[[Screen Rant]]|date=29 March 2020 |url=https://screenrant.com/indiana-jones-raiders-lost-ark-face-melt-no-cgi/|access-date=July 8, 2022}}</ref> Walas created false heads for [[Ronald Lacey]], [[Wolf Kahler]], and [[Paul Freeman (actor)|Paul Freeman]].

⚫
== Filmographies ==


⚫
==Filmographies==
===Special effects===
===Special effects===
{| class="wikitable" cellpadding="3"
{| class="wikitable"
| 2002 || ''Dark Heaven'' || designer: angels
| 2002 || ''Dark Heaven'' || designer: angels
|-
|-
| 1991 || ''[[Curse III: Blood Sacrifice]]'' || monster design
| 1991 || ''[[Curse III: Blood Sacrifice]]'' || monster design
|-
|-
| || ''[[Naked Lunch (film)|Naked Lunch]]'' || special effects and monster design
| 1991 || ''[[Naked Lunch (film)|Naked Lunch]]'' || special effects and monster design
|-
|-
| 1990 || ''[[Arachnophobia (film)|Arachnophobia]]''
| 1990 || ''[[Arachnophobia (film)|Arachnophobia]]'' || creature effects supervisor
| creature effects supervisor
|-
|-
| 1989 || ''[[The Fly II]]'' || effects designer and creator: Chris Walas Inc.
| 1989 || ''[[The Fly II]]'' || effects designer and creator: Chris Walas Inc.
|-
|-
| 1987 || ''[[House II: The Second Story]]'' || makeup and creature effects designer
| 1987 || ''[[House II: The Second Story]]'' || makeup and creature effects designer
|-
|-
| 1986 || ''[[The Fly (1986 film)|The Fly]]'' || creature effects
| 1986 || ''[[The Fly (1986 film)|The Fly]]'' || creature effects
|-
|-
| 1985 || ''[[Enemy Mine (film)|Enemy Mine]]'' || aliens creator and designer: Chris Walas Inc.<br>special creature makeup and effects director: Chris Walas Inc.
| 1985 || ''[[Enemy Mine (film)|Enemy Mine]]'' || aliens creator and designer: Chris Walas Inc.<br>special creature makeup and effects director: Chris Walas Inc.
|-
|-
| 1984 ||''[[Gremlins]]'' ||creator: Gremlins
| 1984 ||''[[Gremlins]]'' ||creator: Gremlins
|-
|-
| 1983 || ''[[Return of the Jedi]]''
| 1983 || ''[[Return of the Jedi]]'' || creature consultant
| creature consultant
|-
|-
| 1982 ||''[[E.T. the Extraterrestrial]]'' || model maker
| 1982 ||''[[E.T. the Extraterrestrial]]'' || model maker (uncredited)
|-
|-
| 1981 || ''[[Dragonslayer (1981 film)|Dragonslayer]]'' || close-up dragon: [[Industrial Light & Magic|ILM]]
| 1981 || ''[[Dragonslayer (1981 film)|Dragonslayer]]'' || close-up dragon: [[Industrial Light & Magic|ILM]]
|-
|-
| 1980 || ''[[Airplane!]]'' || special projects
| 1980 || ''[[Airplane!]]'' || special projects
|-
|-
| || ''[[Humanoids from the Deep]]'' || special effects (uncredited)
| 1980 || ''[[Humanoids from the Deep]]'' || special effects (uncredited)
|-
|-
| 1979 || ''[[Up from the Depths]]'' || special effects
| 1979 || ''[[Up from the Depths]]'' || special effects
|-
|-
| 1978 || ''[[Piranha (1978 film)|Piranha]]'' || special properties
| 1978 || ''[[Piranha (1978 film)|Piranha]]'' || special properties
|}
|}


===Makeup effects===
===Makeup effects===
{| class="wikitable" cellpadding="3"
{| class="wikitable"
| 1995 || ''[[Jade (film)|Jade]]'' || special makeup effects
| 1995 || ''[[Jade (1995 film)|Jade]]'' || special makeup effects
|-
|-
| || ''[[Virtuosity]]'' || special makeup effects
| 1995 || ''[[Virtuosity]]'' || special makeup effects
|-
|-
| 1989 || ''[[Tales from the Crypt (TV series)|Tales from the Crypt]]: "The Switch"''
| 1989 || ''[[Tales from the Crypt (TV series)|Tales from the Crypt]]: "The Switch"'' || special makeup effects
| special makeup effects
|-
|-
| 1985 || ''[[Enemy Mine (film)|Enemy Mine]]'' || special makeup effects
| 1985 || ''[[Enemy Mine (film)|Enemy Mine]]'' || special makeup effects
|-
|-
| 1984 || ''[[Gremlins]]'' || special makeup effects
| 1984 || ''[[Gremlins]]'' || special makeup effects
|-
|-
| 1981 || ''[[Raiders of the Lost Ark]]'' || special makeup effects: [[Industrial Light & Magic|ILM]]
| 1981 || ''[[Raiders of the Lost Ark]]'' || special makeup effects: [[Industrial Light & Magic|ILM]]
|-
|-
| || ''[[Caveman (film)|Caveman]]'' || creator: abominable snowman
| 1981 || ''[[Caveman (film)|Caveman]]'' || creator: abominable snowman
|-
|-
| || ''[[Scanners]]'' || special makeup effects
| 1981 || ''[[Scanners]]'' || special makeup effects
|-
|-
| 1980 || ''[[Galaxina]]'' || special makeup effects
| 1980 || ''[[Galaxina]]'' || special makeup effects
|-
|-
| 1979 || ''[[Island of the Fishmen|Something Waits in the Dark]]'' (later known as ''Screamers'') || special makeup effects, U.S. filmed additions to ''L'isola degli uomini pesce''
| 1979 || ''[[Island of the Fishmen|Something Waits in the Dark]]'' (later known as ''Screamers'') || special makeup effects, U.S. filmed additions to ''L'isola degli uomini pesce''
Line 81: Line 86:


===Visual effects===
===Visual effects===
{| class="wikitable" cellpadding="3"
{| class="wikitable"
| 2002 || ''[[Dark Heaven]]'' || visual effects
| 2002 || ''Dark Heaven'' || visual effects
|}
|}


===Director===
===Director===
{| class="wikitable" cellpadding="3"
{| class="wikitable"
| 1992 || ''[[The Vagrant (1992)|The Vagrant]]''
| 1992 || ''[[The Vagrant (1992)|The Vagrant]]''
|-
|-
| 1989 || ''[[Tales from the Crypt (TV series)|Tales from the Crypt]]'': "'Til Death"
| 1990 || ''[[Tales from the Crypt (TV series)|Tales from the Crypt]]'': "'Til Death"
|-
|-
| 1989 || ''[[The Fly II]]''
| 1989 || ''[[The Fly II]]''
|}
|}


==Awards and nominations==
==Notes==
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
{{reflist}}
|-
! Year
! Award
! Category
! Nominated work
! Result
|-
| 1985
| [[12th Saturn Awards]]
| [[Saturn Award for Best Special Effects|Best Special Effects]]
| ''[[Gremlins]]''
| {{Won}}
|-
| 1986
| [[13th Saturn Awards]]
| [[Saturn Award for Best Make-up|Best Make-up]]
| ''[[Enemy Mine (film)|Enemy Mine]]''
| {{Nom}}
|-
| rowspan="2"| 1987
| [[59th Academy Awards]]
| [[Academy Award for Best Makeup and Hairstyling|Best Makeup]]
| rowspan="4"| ''[[The Fly (1986 film)|The Fly]]''
| {{Won}}
|-
| [[14th Saturn Awards]]
| [[Saturn Award for Best Make-up|Best Make-up]]
| {{Won}}
|-
| rowspan="2"| 1988
| rowspan="2"| [[41st British Academy Film Awards]]
| [[BAFTA Award for Best Makeup and Hair|Best Make-up Artist]]
| {{Nom}}
|-
| [[BAFTA Award for Best Special Visual Effects|Best Special Effects]]
| {{Nom}}
|-
| 1993
| [[1993 Fangoria Chainsaw Awards|2nd Fangoria Chainsaw Awards]]
| Best Makeup Effects
| ''[[Naked Lunch (film)|Naked Lunch]]''
| {{Nom}}
|-
|}


==References==
⚫
== External links ==
{{Reflist}}
⚫
*{{IMDb name|0906901}}


⚫
==External links==
{{Wikiquote}}
⚫
* {{IMDb name|0906901}}

{{Navboxes
|title = Awards for Chris Walas
|list =
{{Academy Award for Best Makeup and Hairstyling}}
{{Academy Award for Best Makeup and Hairstyling}}
{{Saturn Award for Best Make-up}}
{{Saturn Award for Best Make-up}}
{{Saturn Award for Best Special Effects}}
{{Saturn Award for Best Special Effects}}}}

{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Walas, Chris}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Chris Walas}}
⚫
[[Category:American film directors]]
[[Category:American make-up artists]]
[[Category:American make-up artists]]
[[Category:Special effects people]]
[[Category:American special effects people]]
[[Category:1955 births]]
[[Category:1955 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Best Makeup Academy Award winners]]
[[Category:Best Makeup Academy Award winners]]
[[Category:Horror film directors]]
[[Category:Film directors from Illinois]]
⚫
[[Category:American horror film directors]]
[[Category:Artists from Chicago]]

Latest revision as of 10:32, 20 November 2024

Chris Walas
Walas in his self made documentary detailing his life's work
Born
Christopher James Walas

1955 (age 68–69)
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Other names
  • Christopher Walas
  • Christopher J. Walas
Occupations
Years active1978–present

Christopher James Walas (born 1955) is an American special effects artist, make-up effects artist, film director, producer, and screenwriter. He is best known for his work on the film The Fly (1986),[1] for which he won an Academy Award and was nominated for two British Academy Film Awards.

Biography

[edit]

His main body of work is with special effects in a wide variety of films, from science fiction to action-adventure. His work on The Fly led to his directorial debut on The Fly II.[2] He also won an Academy Award for Special Effects Make-up on The Fly and is well known for his creation of the Gremlins. Walas was also partially responsible for creating the famous sequence in Raiders of the Lost Ark when the Nazis melt from the intense heat created by the Ark of the Covenant.[3] Walas created false heads for Ronald Lacey, Wolf Kahler, and Paul Freeman.

Filmographies

[edit]

Special effects

[edit]
2002 Dark Heaven designer: angels
1991 Curse III: Blood Sacrifice monster design
1991 Naked Lunch special effects and monster design
1990 Arachnophobia creature effects supervisor
1989 The Fly II effects designer and creator: Chris Walas Inc.
1987 House II: The Second Story makeup and creature effects designer
1986 The Fly creature effects
1985 Enemy Mine aliens creator and designer: Chris Walas Inc.
special creature makeup and effects director: Chris Walas Inc.
1984 Gremlins creator: Gremlins
1983 Return of the Jedi creature consultant
1982 E.T. the Extraterrestrial model maker (uncredited)
1981 Dragonslayer close-up dragon: ILM
1980 Airplane! special projects
1980 Humanoids from the Deep special effects (uncredited)
1979 Up from the Depths special effects
1978 Piranha special properties

Makeup effects

[edit]
1995 Jade special makeup effects
1995 Virtuosity special makeup effects
1989 Tales from the Crypt: "The Switch" special makeup effects
1985 Enemy Mine special makeup effects
1984 Gremlins special makeup effects
1981 Raiders of the Lost Ark special makeup effects: ILM
1981 Caveman creator: abominable snowman
1981 Scanners special makeup effects
1980 Galaxina special makeup effects
1979 Something Waits in the Dark (later known as Screamers) special makeup effects, U.S. filmed additions to L'isola degli uomini pesce

Visual effects

[edit]
2002 Dark Heaven visual effects

Director

[edit]
1992 The Vagrant
1990 Tales from the Crypt: "'Til Death"
1989 The Fly II

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Year Award Category Nominated work Result
1985 12th Saturn Awards Best Special Effects Gremlins Won
1986 13th Saturn Awards Best Make-up Enemy Mine Nominated
1987 59th Academy Awards Best Makeup The Fly Won
14th Saturn Awards Best Make-up Won
1988 41st British Academy Film Awards Best Make-up Artist Nominated
Best Special Effects Nominated
1993 2nd Fangoria Chainsaw Awards Best Makeup Effects Naked Lunch Nominated

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Staff (2 June 2022). "From The Fly to A History of Violence: our writers pick their favourite Cronenberg movies". The Guardian. Retrieved July 8, 2022.
  2. ^ Chris Eggertsen (28 April 2016). "Bring on the Gore: Top Ten Practical Effects in Horror!". Bloody Disgusting. Retrieved July 8, 2022.
  3. ^ Kelso Jacks (29 March 2020). "How Raiders of the Lost Ark's Face Melt Was Filmed (Without CGI)". Screen Rant. Retrieved July 8, 2022.
[edit]
Wikiquote has quotations related to Chris Walas.
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