Bill Basso obit

TREMORS And JURASSIC PARK Effects Artist Bill Basso Has Died At 60

 

He was not on the list.

Bloody Disgusting have today reported the sad news that special effects artist Bill Basso, born William Anthony Basso, Jr., passed away on May 4, 2023 at the age of 60.

Basso's impressive legacy of work can be seen throughout the horror genre including Tremors, Bride of Re-Animator, Edward Scissorhands, Terminator 2: Judgment Day, Batman Returns, Jurassic Park, Interview with the Vampire, Congo, The Island of Dr. Moreau, The Relic, The Lost World: Jurassic Park, Creature, Lake Placid, Inspector Gadget, Lost Souls, and Reign of Fire. He also worked as part of the special effects makeup crew for Tales from the Darkside: The Movie, as well as providing puppeteer work on Predator 2, Jurassic Park 1 & 2, Congo, and Small Soldiers.

Basso's obituary reads: “William Anthony Basso Jr. was a sculptor, painter, and special effects makeup artist. He was born on December 8, 1962, in Manalapan, and attended Christian Brothers Academy for high school and Parsons School of Design for college,”

Actor Frank Dietz, who worked with Bill on the 1988 hair-metal horror Black Roses, shared his condolences on Instagram:

“I heard the terrible news this morning that the amazing makeup artist Bill Basso has died. I am just shocked. Bill was so talented, and a super nice guy. He created the incredible makeup I wore in the opening sequence of Black Roses, but of course worked on many, many other cool movies. I am so sorry for his friends and family.”

Basso is survived by his mother, Marie Basso, his brother James Basso, his sister-in-law Wei Basso, his sister Marie Louise Basso, his niece Emma Basso, his nephew Thomas Basso, his nephew Marco D’Agostino, and his nephew Stefano D’Agostino.

All of us at FANGORIA would like to extend our condolences to Bill's family and friends. May he rest in peace.

This article was produced and syndicated by FANGORIA.

Special Effects

Reign of Fire (2002)

Reign of Fire

sculptor: dragon maquettes

2002

 

Winona Ryder and Ben Chaplin in Lost Souls (2000)

Lost Souls

key artist: Stan Winston Studio

2000

 

Matthew Broderick and Rupert Everett in Inspector Gadget (1999)

Inspector Gadget

key artist: Stan Winston Studio

1999

 

Bridget Fonda in Lake Placid (1999)

Lake Placid

mold/technical department: Stan Winston Studio

1999

 

Kim Cattrall and Craig T. Nelson in Creature (1998)

Creature

key sculptor: Stan Winston Studios

TV Mini Series

1998

2 episodes

 

The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997)

The Lost World: Jurassic Park

key artist: Stan Winston Studio

1997

 

The Relic (1997)

The Relic

additional live effects key artist: Stan Winston Studio

1997

 

The Island of Dr. Moreau (1996)

The Island of Dr. Moreau

concept artist: Stan Winston Studio

1996

 

Congo (1995)

Congo

key artist: "Amy" and "Grey Gorillas", Stan Winston Studio

1995

 

Tom Cruise in Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles (1994)

Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles

key artist: Stan Winston Studio

1994

 

Jeff Goldblum, Richard Attenborough, Laura Dern, Sam Neill, Ariana Richards, BD Wong, Joseph Mazzello, Martin Ferrero, and Bob Peck in Jurassic Park (1993)

Jurassic Park

key artist: Stan Winston Studio

1993

 

Michelle Pfeiffer, Danny DeVito, Michael Keaton, Christopher Walken, and Cristi Conaway in Batman Returns (1992)

Batman Returns

art department: Stan Winston Studio

1992

 

Arnold Schwarzenegger in Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)

Terminator 2: Judgment Day

art department: Stan Winston Studio

1991

 

Johnny Depp in Edward Scissorhands (1990)

Edward Scissorhands

art department: Stan Winston Studio

1990

 

Jeffrey Combs and Kathleen Kinmont in Bride of Re-Animator (1990)

Bride of Re-Animator

makeup artist and crew: K.N.B. EFX Group

1990

 

Kevin Bacon, Finn Carter, and Fred Ward in Tremors (1990)

Tremors

creature effects: art crew

1990

 

Monsters (1988)

Monsters

special effects makeup

TV Series