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The Legendary Stan Winston Has Died!

by Alex Billington
June 16, 2008
Source: Ain't It Cool News

The legendary visual effects maestro Stan Winston passed away last night. The news hasn't hit the mainstream sources yet, but Quint over at AICN confirmed it with a close friend of Winston. He was only 62 years old. Winston won the Oscar four times for his work on Aliens, Terminator 2, Jurassic Park, and AI and most recently worked on the brilliant visual effects in Iron Man. Winston was easily one of the greatest special effects visionaries to ever work in Hollywood and has created some of the most memorable special effects in cinematic history. This is truly a great loss and an incredibly sad day for Hollywood.

His cinematography is vast. Winston is an icon himself who has created countless cinematic legends. In addition to the four films that he won Oscars for, Winston worked on The Thing, Predator, The Monster Squad, Congo, Galaxy Quest, Big Fish, and Constantine. He was currently working with McG on the upcoming Terminator Salvation: The Future Begins. The cause of death hasn't been revealed, however details on this story are currently developing. We will update this story once we confirm more details. You can see much of his fantastic work over at his studio's official website: StanWinstonStudio.com.

This is truly a great tragedy that will affect all of Hollywood. He will certainly be remembered!

Stan Winston

Filed under General, Movie News

From around the web:

http://www.thestopbutton.com Andrew Wickliffe

62 per IMDb. This is really awful, especially since Winston managed to remain successful and important in the post-CG special effects era. Movies aren't going to look as good, that's for sure.
http://egghub.com egghub

RIP
Tim C

"It seems we've reached the point in life where life stops giving us things and starts taking them away.." -From Indy IV Such sad news. RIP Stan, you will be greatly missed and never forgotten. My heart goes out to your family and loved ones. You have inspired a countless number of people over the years and your legacy will continue to inspire future generations.
sam

even though he has died his effects and his legends will live on for ever
Richard

Wow, its weird to think that someone has had an impact in a certain part of your life without ever realizing it. Those movies he worked on pretty much paved my movie enthusiasm and sparked so much wonder growing up. A very hard loss indeed.
chrisUK

sad news, he is definitely one of the most respected and talented people in the history of special effects, no doubt about it.
http://firstshowing.net XXX

Shit! I just started watching the terminator movies and the the guy who made the visual effects die not to mention how this will efect JP$ and termiantor4.God!
http://firstshowing.net XXX

sorry about JP$ it ment JP4
E

my god ...
Not yo mommas cat

CGI will never stand up to the realistic effects this man brought to life. He was more than a legend; he was a god in every sense of creation. He will be truly missed. Rest in peace, monster man.
spider-ed

so sad to hear that, he truely was a genuis in the effects industry. my thoughts and prayers go to his family and loved ones. RIP stan!
REAL6

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOo
http://www.theaterhopper.com Tom Brazelton

I was so happy when I heard Winston was doing the practical effects and building a wearable suit of armor for Iron Man and I was not disappointed. I hope this isn't another monkey wrench for Iron Man 2!
Tom Shafer

The story has been confirmed by the LA Times: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2008/06/stan-winston-de.html Winston died at home Sunday evening after a seven-year struggle with multiple myeloma, according to a rep from Stan Winston Studio. Truly a sad day for the creative arts community.
Spider

This is shocking! I can't believe it! Stan Winston was a true artist and visionary. He will forever be remembered and his work will live on. My deepest condolences to his family. So sad, such a huge loss to the world of movies. Rest in peace Mr. Winston.
http://www.emergent.net Hannah Imperial

Wow - How sad... He was an idol of mine in college when I went to my first Siggraph - he signed my sketch book - Then again in 2004 when he partied with us at a softimage party presentation... He was not only successful, but super humble... Stan Winston was one of the legend of 3D animation!
Django

Little known influence on an entire generations' imaginations. Stan truly created works of art that moved! Truly Sad, since he just had such a smashing, post-CG success w/ the Iron Man suit. And to think, it all started with a tiny little film called "the Monster Squad." RIP Stan, my sympathies to your family, and your studio- the extended "family". I'll observe a moment of silence at this news...
http://movieguyreviews4u.blogspot.com Ryan

Sad. So many people realize how litle of an influence he was on their movie watching experience.
jason_md2020

I'm having a hard time believing this.... This guy breathed life into so many dreams & nightmares. Made us jump in our seats. Made us stare in slack jawed awe wonder. Made art move of the screen & into our imaginations. And now he's made us realize, sadly, that we should treasure everyone around us, because you never know when it's their turn to leave. God bless ya Stan. At least now you can create whatever you want and not have to worry about a budget anymore!
http://www.dooms-day-device.com Puke

Though I rarely care when a celebrity dies Stan Winston was one hell of an artist. Bummer.
Dom

I can't believe this - I honestly can't believe he's passed away!! He was not only a true inspiration to me since JP but he's also a great example of an artist keeping extremely fit! This is terrible... he's had a blessed life, but I was expecting so much more still to come!! Sad sad day... Lets hope the studio continues to thrive!!
http://www.foodaskew.net Trish

Goddamn what a bummer.... a legend in special effects, I'm really saddened now.
Andee23

Today the world has lost a a true legend, my condolences go out to his family and his loved ones. He was a one of the great artisans of his craft and he shall be sorely miss, but not soon forgotten by all of us who enjoyed his marvelous innovations in the field of practical visual effects. He contributed through his at inventions to some of the great memorable moments in cinema. May He R.I.P
Kendra

Stan Winston as always been synonymous with movie magic for me. Sad news.
http://www.paynebyname.com Payne by name

What a shame. The guy was a real legend. His attention to detail and ability time and again to exceed the boundaries of creativity on his remit was amazing. Whether his input into the biggies like Terminator and Aliens through to his work on small soldiers he was a wonderful talent. An example of this would be Predator 2. Never had as many viewers as it should but look at the thought and design on the predators little first aid pack that he uses to patch himself up. That syringe, that little bunsen burner. His input and vision will be sorely missed.
Tim Monforton

This is awful, awful news. What a horribly depressing thing to find out so early in the day. Stan Winston's work has included some of my favorite films, and it has played no small part in my desire to work in the film/television industry. It had long been a dream of mine to meet him and tell him how much of an influence he has been on my life, but now I will never have that chance. If he isn't included in the "In Memoriam" montage at the Oscars next year, I for one am going to be very, very pissed off. My thoughts and prayers go out to Mr. Winston's family. RIP.
http://blog.myspace.com/shero_rauf shero

Rest in Peace Stan ... Thanks for all the great art you left us ...
avoidz

I'm speechless, shocked. What a great loss to the movie-making world.