Movie Special Effects Pioneer. Born in El Paso, Texas, he was an American cinema special effects artist best remembered his work on the film "The Wizard of Oz" (1939). Educated at the Columbia University and the Arts Students League New York, he joined MGM Studios as a set designer in 1925. His first project was the silent film "Ben Hur" (1925) and by 1936, he became the head of MGM's special effects artist. For the next 36 years he worked at the studio in various capacities until he retired in 1962. His other most remembered achievements included "Flight Command" (1941), "Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo" (1944) won the Oscar for photographic and special effects, "They Were Expendable" (1945), "Green Dolphin Street" (1947) won the Oscar for photographic and special effects, "Torpedo Run" (1958), "Ben Hur" (1959) won the Oscar for special effects, and "Mutiny On The Bounty" (1962). He died at age 78 in Los Angeles, California.

Movie Special Effects Pioneer. Born in El Paso, Texas, he was an American cinema special effects artist best remembered his work on the film "The Wizard of Oz" (1939). Educated at the Columbia University and the Arts Students League New York, he joined MGM Studios as a set designer in 1925. His first project was the silent film "Ben Hur" (1925) and by 1936, he became the head of MGM's special effects artist. For the next 36 years he worked at the studio in various capacities until he retired in 1962. His other most remembered achievements included "Flight Command" (1941), "Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo" (1944) won the Oscar for photographic and special effects, "They Were Expendable" (1945), "Green Dolphin Street" (1947) won the Oscar for photographic and special effects, "Torpedo Run" (1958), "Ben Hur" (1959) won the Oscar for special effects, and "Mutiny On The Bounty" (1962). He died at age 78 in Los Angeles, California.

Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith