Thanks Stan (updated with pics)

I was deeply saddened to read that special effects genius Stan Winston passed away yesterday after a lengthy battle with multiple myeloma. When I was little I used to borrow these big ILM and Digital Domain tomes from the library, entertaining thoughts of one day getting into visual effects, and Stan Winston was one of the giants of the industry. He's helped create some of the greatest special effects in cinematic history, make-up and animatronics that remain unsurpassed by even current usage of CGI effects. His filmography speaks for itself: Terminator, Terminator 2: Judgment Day, Aliens, Edward Scissorhands, Predator, Jurassic Park, just to name a few. I mean, just re-read that list... amazing. He won Oscars for his work on Aliens, Jurassic Park, two for T2 with several other nominations as well. He was recruited by frequent collaborator James Cameron to contribute designs for his upcoming return to sci-fi cinema, Avatar due in 2009. The two of them were co-founders of VFX house Digital Domain. His most recent work was creating the physical suits for Iron Man. We'll miss you Stan, thanks for all the memories.

UPDATE: I wanted to include some photos in the earlier post but Blogger was having issues. Now take a look at these shots below and imagine movies without Stan Winston.








(this fitting portrait of Stan Winston is by the always awesome Sebastian Kruger)