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Revision as of 20:41, 4 July 2020

Tom Woodruff Jr.
File:Tom Woodruff Jr - Alien vs Predator (187046320).jpg
Woodruff in 2003.
Born (1959-01-21) January 21, 1959 (age 65)
Williamsport, Pennsylvania
NationalityAmerican
Alma materLycoming College
Occupations
Years active1984–present
SpouseTami Spitler (m. 1983)
Children3

Tom Woodruff Jr. (born January 21, 1959) is an American actor, director, producer and special effects supervisor. He won an Academy Award for Best Special Effects for his work on the 1992 dark fantasy film Death Becomes Her; that samIe year he was also nominated for the same award for Alien 3.

Some of his most notable works include: The Santa Clause (1994), Starship Troopers (1997), Cast Away (2000), It (2017) and Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018).[2]

Early life

Woodruff Jr. was born in Williamsport, Pennsylvania on January 21, 1959. He grew up in nearby Loyalsock Township, Pennsylvania and attended Loyalsock Township High School and graduated in 1977. Upon graduating high school he enrolled at Lycoming College in Pennsylvania where he earned a dual-degree in business administration and theater.[3]

Career

Career success (1990–2010)

In 1993 his alma mater Lycoming College awarded Woodruff the Dr. James E. Douthat Outstanding Achievement Award for alumni.

Woodruff was first credited in the 1984 film The Terminator as an assistant special effects supervisor. In the 1980s Woodruff was a crucial part of numerous films and television programs. In 1986 he was part of the Stan Winston Studios Effects Crew on The Vindicator. Also in 1986 Woodruff made his debut on screen, he played a Salvager and also worked as the creature effects coordinator on Aliens.[4][5]

In 1988, Woodruff and fellow Stan Winston alumni Alec Gillis founded effects studio Amalgamated Dynamics, which soon became highly requested in Hollywood, with movies such as Alien 3, Death Becomes Her (both nominated for the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects, won by the latter), Demolition Man, Wolf and Starship Troopers.[6] In the 2010s, Woodruff has continued to do practical effects in films such as Grown Ups 2, Ender's Game, Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2, Harbinger Down, Unnatural, It, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom and Godzilla: King of the Monsters.[7] Woodruff has also played many creatures in the movie he did effects for, such as Gill-man in the 1987 comedy-action film The Monster Squad, the eponymous demon from Pumpkinhead, and the Alien.

It and Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2017–18)

In early 2017 Woodruff and his company Amalgamated Dynamics announced they would creating and designing the cosmetics for Pennywise in the upcoming Andy Muschietti directed horror film It. In addition to Pennywise Woodruff and business partner Alec Gillis designed and built the dead bodies for the corridors for the film.[8] Woodruff in particular designed and made the teeth for Pennywise with a great deal of comfort needed for actor Bill Skarsgård portraying Pennywise to be able to speak clearly and smile in a way needed for the film. His contributes in this area were recognized by Mushietti after films release when he said "... without all the hard work from Tom, Alec and all the guys Pennywise wouldn't have had such a big impact on the audience that it did.[9]

Woodruff and his team received praise for their work on It. They were nominated for Best Makeup by Hawaii Film Critics Society and again at the 44th Saturn Awards.[10][11]

Woodruff and Amalgamated Dynamics were the designers and builders of the life like dinosaurs in Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom.[12][13]

Recent and future projects (2019–present)

In 2019 Woodruff served as the lead creature character designer for Godzilla: King of the Monsters. Also in 2019 he served as an executive producer for the short film Playtime which was released on March 9, 2019.[14] He played Burke in the horror film The Mortuary Collection. In 2019 it was revealed Woodruff and his company would be used during the filming of Godzilla vs. Kong.[15] The film completed filming in early 2020 and Woodruff was credited as miniature effects supervisor. In late 2019 it was announced Woodruff would serve as the creature designer for the upcoming Guest House film. Director Benjamin L. Brown confirmed Woodruff would have a role in his upcoming horror film Severed Road. Woodruff is also the executive producer in the upcoming science fiction film Wellwood.[16][17]

Business ventures

In 1988 Woodruff co-founded Amalgamated Dynamics a special and visual effects company based in Chatsworth, Los Angeles. To date the company has worked on over 150 film and television projects.

Personal life

In 1983 Woodruff married fellow Loyalsock and Lycoming grad Tami Spitler.[18] The couple have three children David, Taylor and Connor. In 2013 Woodruff delivered the commencement speech at his alma mater Lycoming College.[19] In 2019 Woodruff and his wife moved back home to Pennsylvania, settling back in their home-town of Loyalsock Township.[20]

Filmography

Film

Tom Woodruff Jr. filmography
Year Work Role Notes
Actor Director Producer Special effects Visual effects
/ Animation
1984 The Terminator Yes
1986 Aliens Yes Yes Credited as Salvager
The Vindicator Yes
Invaders from Mars Yes
1987 The Monster Squad Yes Yes Portrayed Gill-man
1988 Pumpkinhead Yes Portrayed Pumpkinhead
Alien Nation Yes
1989 Leviathan Yes Yes
1990 Tremors Yes Yes Credited as Grabboid
1992 Alien 3 Yes Yes Credited as Lead Alien
Death Becomes Her Yes
1993 Demolition Man Yes
1994 Wolf Yes
1995 Mortal Kombat Yes Yes Credited as Goro
Jumanji Yes Yes
1996 Michael Yes
Tremors 2: Aftershocks Yes
1997 Alien Resurrection Yes
Starship Troopers Yes
1998 The X-Files Yes Yes
1999 My Favorite Martian
2000 Hollow Man Yes
Cast Away Yes
Mattress of Solitude Yes Short film; portrayed Batman
Bedazzled Yes
2001 Evolution Yes Yes
Bubble Boy Yes
Tremors 3: Back to Perfection Yes
2002 John Q. Yes
The Santa Clause 2 Yes
2003 Looney Tunes: Back in Action Yes Yes
Scary Movie 3 Yes
2004 Tremors 4: The Legend Begins Yes
Alien vs. Predator Yes Yes
2005 Elektra yes Yes
2006 Failure to Launch Yes
The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause Yes Yes
2007 Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem Yes Yes
My Cousins Keeper Yes Yes Yes
2009 Race to Witch Mountain Yes Credited as Siphon
Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant Yes Portrayed Wolfman
Old Dogs
2010 Skyline Yes
2011 The Thing Yes
Zookeeper Yes Yes
Beautiful Wave Yes Credited as Coach Parks
2012 Astronaut: The Last Push Yes
2013 Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters Yes
Fire City: King of Miseries Yes Yes
Grown Ups 2 Yes
Ender's Game Yes
2015 Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2 Yes
Harbinger Down Yes Yes
Kids vs Monsters Yes
Unnatural Yes
2016 Change of Heart Yes Yes
2017 It Yes
2018 Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom Yes
Sorry to Bother You Yes Credited as Equisapien
2019 Godzilla: King of the Monsters Yes
Playtime Yes
The Mortuary Collection Yes Credited as Burke
2021 Godzilla vs. Kong Yes
TBA Guest House Yes
TBA Severed Road Yes
TBA Wellwood Yes

Television

Year Series Role Notes
1989 Monsters Herbert
1990 Tales from the Crypt Utility Monster
1998 Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction Gorilla
1999 Chicago Hope Stevie
1999 Seven Days Kiki the Gorilla
2011 The Tonight Show with Jay Leno Bernie the Gorilla
2012 Harry's Law Gorilla
2013 Blood and Guts with Scott Ian Himself
Horror Halku Demon Rufus
2016 Zoo Gorilla Suit Performer
2019 Room 104 Elmer

Awards and nominations

Year Ceremony Category Film Result Notes
1991 Saturn Awards Best Special Effects Tremors Nominated Nomination shared with
  • Alec Gillis
1992 Academy Awards Best Visual Effects Death Becomes Her Won Win shared with
Alien 3 Nominated Nomination shared with
British Academy Film Awards Best Special Effects Death Becomes Her Won Win shared with
  • Ken Ralston
  • Alec Gillis
  • George Gibbs
Alien 3 Nominated Nomination shared with
  • Richard Edlund
  • Alec Gillis
  • George Gibbs
1993 Awards Circuit Community Best Special Effects Death Becomes Her Won Win shared with
  • Ken Ralston
  • Alec Gillis
  • George Gibbs
Alien 3 Nominated Nomination shared with
  • Richard Edlund
  • Alec Gillis
  • George Gibbs
Saturn Awards Best Special Effects Death Becomes Her Won Win shared with
  • Ken Ralston
  • Alec Gillis
  • George Gibbs
Alien 3 Nominated Nomination shared with
  • Richard Edlund
  • Alec Gillis
  • George Gibbs
1995 Saturn Awards Best Make-Up The Santa Clause Nominated Nomination shared with
  • Alec Gillis
1998 Saturn Awards Best Special Effects Starship Troopers Won Win shared with
Alien Resurrection Nominated Nomination shared with
  • Erik Henry
  • Alec Gillis
1999 Saturn Awards Best Make-Up The X-Files Nominated Nomination shared with
2001 Saturn Awards The 6th Day Nominated Nomination shared with
2012 Rondo Hatton Awards Best Short Film Joe Comes to Life Nominated
Saturn Awards Best Make-Up The Thing Nominated Nomination shared with
  • Alec Gillis
2017 Fangoria Chainsaw Awards Best Makeup & SFX The Monster Won Win shared with
  • Alec Gillis
2018 Hawaii Film Critics Society Best Makeup It Nominated Nomination shared with
  • Alec Gillis
44th Saturn Awards Best Makeup It Nominated Nomination shared with
  • Alec Gillis

See also

References

  1. ^ "Tom Woodruff Jr. Net Worth". Retrieved March 9, 2018.
  2. ^ "With horror industry heavy hitters already in place from the 1970s, the 1980s built upon that with the rise of brilliant minds in makeup and effects artists, as well as advances in technology". Bloody-Discusting.com. March 6, 2018. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
  3. ^ Rashid, Jerry. "A special homecoming" (PDF). Lycoming magazine. No. Spring 2011. Lycoming College. p. 14.
  4. ^ "One of Tom Woodruff Jr.'s most abiding memories of playing an alien in the Alien movies". Vanity Fair. May 18, 2017. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
  5. ^ "The Worst Parts of Playing the Xenomorph in Alien". CinemaBlend.com. May 19, 2017. Retrieved March 9, 2018.
  6. ^ VFX Artists Tom Woodruff & Alec Gillis Of StudioADI Celebrate 30 Years
  7. ^ "Tom Woodruff Jr working on Monsters FX Inbound". May 23, 2017.
  8. ^ Zelig, Author Leonard (January 17, 2018). "Interview with Alec Gillis and Tom Woodruff, Jr. of Studio ADI". The Fincher Analyst. Retrieved June 24, 2020. {{cite web}}: |first= has generic name (help)
  9. ^ "Practical-ly Perfect: Pennywise, Past and Present with Alec Gillis, Tom Woodruff Jr., and Bart Mixon". Daily Dead. October 17, 2017. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  10. ^ Hammond, Pete; Hammond, Pete (June 28, 2018). "'Black Panther' Tops 44th Saturn Awards With Five; 'Blade Runner 2049' , 'Shape Of Water', 'Get Out' Also Score". Deadline. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  11. ^ Ryan, Jackson. "The Last Jedi, Black Panther win big at the 44th Saturn Awards". CNET. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  12. ^ Failes, Ian. "The Unexpected Techniques 'Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom' Used to Create Super-Realistic FX". Thrillist. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  13. ^ Taylor-Foster, Kim (September 28, 2018). "How 'Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom' Proves Practical Effects Will Never Die". Fandom. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  14. ^ Playtime, retrieved June 24, 2020
  15. ^ "Godzilla Vs Kong: Release Date, Cast, Trailer, Plot And Every Detail At One Place". Auto Freak. June 22, 2020. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  16. ^ N'Duka, Amanda; N'Duka, Amanda (January 30, 2018). "'Game of Thrones' Actress Keisha Castle-Hughes To Produce & Star In The Indie Film 'Wellwood'". Deadline. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  17. ^ "StudioADI Providing Extraterrestrial FX to Sci-Fi Film Wellwood". Dread Central. February 5, 2018. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  18. ^ "Award-winning Hollywood special effects creator to speak at Lycoming College". Lycoming College. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  19. ^ "Academy Award winner to deliver Lycoming College commencement address". Lycoming College. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  20. ^ Mussina, Mark. "After almost 40 years, Academy Award winner returns to Williamsport's CTL". NorthcentralPA.com. Retrieved June 24, 2020.