Bloody Disgusting has learned this week that special effects artist Bill Basso, whose work can be seen in a handful of genre favorites, passed on May 4, 2023 at the age of 60 years old.
“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,” his obituary reads.
Primarily working for the legendary Stan Winston Studio throughout the 1990s, Bill Basso’s special effects credits include “Monsters,” 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.
Basso was also on the special effects makeup crew for Tales from the Darkside: The Movie, and he did puppeteer work on Predator 2, Jurassic Park 1 & 2, Congo, and Small Soldiers.
Actor Frank Dietz writes 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.”
William 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.
William was preceded in death by his father, William Anthony Basso, Sr.