Stan Winston (April 7, 1946 – June 15, 2008) was an American visual effects supervisor, make-up artist, and film director. He was best known for his work in the Terminator series, the Jurassic Park series, Aliens, the Predator series, Iron Man and Edward Scissorhands.He won four Academy Awards for his work.

Winston, a frequent collaborator with director James Cameron, owned more than one effects studio, including Stan Winston Digital. The established areas of expertise for Winston were in makeup, puppets and practical effects, but he had recently expanded his studio to encompass digital effects as well.

One of the founders of visual effects companies Digital Domain, Stan Winston Digital and Stan Winston studios.

Only the second special effects artist to be honored with a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Stars.

He studied painting and sculpture at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville and graduated in 1968.

He moved to Hollywood in 1968. At first he wanted to be an actor, but no jobs came his way and the following year he became an apprentice in the Makeup Department at Walt Disney Studios.

He has become known primarily as a “creature creator.” His first such assignment was for the TV movie Gargoyles (1972) (TV).

Father of actor Matt Winston and daughter.

Made a living as a stand-up comedian before moving into make-up effects.

Helped out on some Special Effects scenes in The Thing (1982) when Rob Bottin was suffering from exhaustion at the time due to his immensely heavy workload.

Father-in-law of Amy Smallman.

Has four grandchildren.

Has a brother.

While filming Predator (1987), Winston returned to his hotel one day, to find his shower crawling with frogs. Convinced that this was a prank by Arnold Schwarzenegger, he called in the help of members of his special effects crew in catching the frogs in a pillow case and releasing them into Arnold’s bed. Neither Stan nor Arnold dared to bring up the subject the next day. Years later, Winston was on a talk-show and recounted the entire story, knowing Arnold would be a guest in that show the next day. But the next day, Arnold commented on the story by swearing he had nothing to do with the prank, upon which Winston’s crew members finally confessed they had played the prank on him. They knew Arnold was innocent but had decided to let Winston get even with him anyway.

He was awarded the Virginia Film’s Festival Virginia Film Award in 1999 and was a member of the festival’s advisory board.

Stan Lee (born Stanley Martin Lieber; December 28, 1922) is an American comic book writer, editor, and the former president and chairman of Marvel Comics.

With several artist co-creators, most notably Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko, he co-created Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, the X-Men, Iron Man, the Hulk, Thor, Daredevil, Doctor Strange, and many other fictional characters, introducing complex, naturalistic characters and a thoroughly shared universe into superhero comic books. In addition, he headed the first major successful challenge to the industry’s censorship organization, the Comics Code Authority and forced it to reform its policies. Lee subsequently led the expansion of Marvel Comics from a small division of a publishing house to a large multimedia corporation.

Trademark:

Often narrated animated series featuring his Marvel Comics characters.

He often named his characters in alliterate patterns like Peter Parker and Sue Storm to help remember their names.

Wears signature dark sunglasses.

Often has cameos in the films based on his comics.

Often refers to faithful fans as “true believers.”

Closed most fan letters or personal contributions by using his trademark catchphrase, “‘Nuff said”

Trivia:

He is credited as creating the Marvel Comics characters in the 1960s which introduced more complex characterizations for super-heroes. He also is credited for popularizing continuity to give the various series a sense of narrative flow and an interrelated common world for the characters.

Apart from his participation in the creation of the classic Marvel Comics characters, he also helped weaken censorship in the mainstream comics field. This happened when he decided to do a story about the problem of drug abuse. The story he wrote in 1971 for “The Amazing Spider-Man” concerned Peter Parker’s friend Harry Osborne having a bad trip on LSD and nearly dying from it. The Comics Code Authority declared that they would not give their seal of approval to the three-issue arc on the grounds that the code, which was notorious for being draconian, would not allow the depiction of drug use even when it is portrayed negatively. Lee decided to defy the CCA and published the story as is without the seal and received healthy sales and a positive public reaction for his efforts in portraying the social problem. Soon after, the CCA changed their rules to allow for anti-drug messages in comics.

Brother of Larry Lieber.

Disliked the 1970s live-action Spiderman TV series (for which he was a script consultant), deeming it “too juvenile.” He also felt that Spiderman was being treated on the show as a “cardboard character.”

He ended his weekly “Stan’s Soapbox” column (which appeared in every Marvel comic book) with the phrase “Excelsior.”

Daughter is model/actress Joan Celia “J.C.” Lee (b. 1950). His other daughter, Jan, died shortly after birth (1953).

He first began to work on comics in 1941 on the 3rd issue of Captain America.

His 3 most famous comic book creations are: Fantastic Four (Debut November 1961), the Incredible Hulk (Debut May 1962) and the Amazing Spiderman (Debut August 1962 in ‘Amazing Fantasy’ # 15).

Entered the comic book scene at 17 as assistant editor for the Timely comics group. In 1942, he was promoted to editor.

1972 becomes publisher and editorial director of Marvel

Admitted he’d always hoped to play the character of J. Jonah Jameson in a film adaptation of Spider-Man, though he conceded he was too old to even be considered by the time the film was actually made and praised J.K. Simmons for his performance in the role.

Has it written into his contract that he appears in any movie based upon a Marvel character that he is credited with. So far he has appeared as the Hot Dog Vendor in X-Men (2000), Man in Fair in Spider-Man (2002), Old Man at Crossing in Daredevil (2003), Security Guard in Hulk (2003), Man Dodging Debris in Spider-Man 2 (2004), Willie Lumpkin in Fantastic Four (2005), Waterhose Man in X-Men: The Last Stand (2006), Man in Times Square in Spider-Man 3 (2007), Rejected Wedding Guest in 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007), the man whom Tony Stark mistakes for Hugh Hefner in Iron Man (2008) and an uncredited appearance as the man who drinks the soft drink contaminated with Bruce Banner’s blood in The Incredible Hulk (2008). The only one he has not appeared in was X2 (2003).

Judy Garland’s daughter Lorna Luft lived with Lee and his family for a period of time while her mother was in rehab in the 1960s. Stan’s daughter and Luft were friends and Lorna stayed with the family for about a month until she went to California to live with her father.

He was awarded the 2008 American National Medal of the Arts for his services to comic books and production.

Was a longtime friend of comic writer and artist Carmine Infantino, who was also president of DC Comics for several years.

After his retirement from work at Marvel he was invited to do a limited edition series for DC Comics, Marvel’s principal rival. The series, titled ‘Just Imagine’, presented the feature DC characters — Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Flash — with different backgrounds and stories, as Stan Lee would have written them.

Despises the idea of sidekicks, which is why virtually none of the Marvel characters had them.

Jeffrey Leon “Jeff” Bridges (born December 4, 1949) is an American actor and musician. His most notable films include The Last Picture Show, Tron, Against All Odds, Starman, The Fabulous Baker Boys, The Fisher King, Fearless, The Big Lebowski, The Contender, and Iron Man.

Trivia:

Met his wife, Susan in 1975 while filming Rancho Deluxe (1975) – she was working as a maid on a dude ranch.

Son of Lloyd Bridges and Dorothy Dean Bridges, brother of Beau Bridges and Cindy Bridges.

Is a talented guitarist.

Has stated American Heart (1992) and Fearless (1993) as his favorites.

Between takes, he shoots still photographs as a hobby.

Has played roles with the first name ‘Jack’ seven times, and with the surname ‘Jackson’ four times.

Served in the United States Coast Guard.

Is a big fan of Brian Wilson and The Beach Boys.

His performance as Jeffrey “The Dude” Lebowski in The Big Lebowski (1998) is ranked #90 on Premiere Magazine’s 100 Greatest Performances of All Time (2006).

His performance as Jeffrey “The Dude” Lebowski in The Big Lebowski (1998) is ranked #55 on Premiere Magazine’s 100 Greatest Movie Characters of All Time.

Was considered for the part of Travis Bickle in Taxi Driver (1976).

Is mentioned in the song “Jeff Bridges” by Midnight Choir.

Went to Palisades Charter High School in Los Angeles.

He was considered, along with Nick Nolte, for the role of Det. Sonny Crockett on “Miami Vice” (1984). Both were deemed too expensive, and Don Johnson got the part.

Was considered for the part of Jack in Speed (1994/I).

Was considered for the role of Dan Gallagher in Fatal Attraction (1987).

It was during the filming of The Iceman Cometh (1973) that he decided to focus solely on acting, and make it his profession. Up until then, he has said that he “just enjoyed the ride”.

Considered for the lead in Year of the Dragon (1985).

Considered for Christopher Walken’s role in The Deer Hunter (1978).

His brother, Garrett Myles, died of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) on August 3, 1948.

Auditioned for the part of ‘Cpt. Willard’ in Apocalypse Now (1979), as did his good friend Nick Nolte.

His good friend Terry Gilliam wanted him for the part of James Cole in Twelve Monkeys (1995). Bruce Willis got the part because he was a more bankable star.

He was one of many considered for the role of ‘John Rambo’ in First Blood (1982) when the script was still circulating.

Considered for the lead in The Thing (1982).

He was strongly considered for the lead role of ‘Quaid’ in Total Recall (1990).

The lead role of ‘Jack’ in Speed (1994/I) was originally written for him.

He was offered the male lead in Love Story (1970). His brother Beau Bridges was the director’s first choice. Both turned it down.

He was considered for the lead in Kinsey (2004).

Turned down the role of ‘Hooper’ in Jaws (1975).

Offered the part of Bobby Grady in Crimes of Passion (1984).

Considered for the lead in Big (1988).

Close friend and collaborator of directors John Carpenter and Terry Gilliam.

He is a big fan of actors Robert Ryan and Lee Marvin. Favorite movie is Billy Budd (1962).

Fan and friend of Kris Kristofferson. They both appeared in Heaven’s Gate (1980), and Kristofferson famously sang “Help Me Make it Through the Night” in Fat City (1972), which starred Bridges.

Bridges and Nick Nolte were considered as possible candidates for the two leads in Heat (1995), roles that famously went to Al Pacino and Robert De Niro.

Director Michael Mann strongly considered Bridges for the lead in Thief (1981), but among other things, he was believed to be too young to be able to pull of the role of a seasoned criminal.

Did some of his education at a military academy.

Was director Taylor Hackford’s original choice for the lead role in An Officer and a Gentleman (1982), but he had to turn it down due to a busy schedule.

Turned down the lead role of ‘Jack Cates’ in 48 Hrs. (1982), because he didn’t want to do a simple cop movie. The role went to Nick Nolte. Bridges later worked with the director Walter Hill in Wild Bill (1995).

Enjoys cigars, and smokes a couple every day.

Is described as being an extremely laid-back guy.

Turned down the lead role of Indiana Jones, one of the most famous movie characters of all time, in Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981). He does not regret it.

Jon Hamm states Bridges as his favorite actor.

Eagerly pursued the lead in The Stunt Man (1980). Bridges was reportedly very keen to play Cameron, a fugitive who hides out at a movie set and accidentally becomes a stunt man.

Jacknife (1989) was developed as a vehicle for Bridges. He turned it down, and Robert De Niro took on the lead role.

He was considered for the part of Batman/Bruce Wayne in Batman (1989).