Richard “Rick” Alan Baker, aka the Monster Maker, is a former American special effects makeup artist, creature designer, and actor.

Born in Binghamton, New York, Baker’s interest in art began during his childhood after watching horror movies at drive-in theaters, leading him to experiment with special effects make-up on his friends.

 Baker continued to develop this skill past high school and through his time at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. There he would meet the influential makeup artist Dick Smith and eventually become his apprentance following his graduation and move to Hollywood.

While apprenticing under Smith, Baker assisted with the makeup on the classic 1973 horror film The Exorcist, leading him to be hired by director Larry Cohen to design an infant mutant creature for the 1974 film It’s Alive.

Six years later, Baker got his big break on the film An American Werewolf In London and, a year later, on the music video for Michael Jackson’s Thriller. Baker’s work continued to draw eyes, winning him his first four Oscars for the films Videodrome, Coming to America, Harry and the Hendersons, and Batman Returns.

Outside of make-up, Baker appeared in some acting roles, with his largest one being the titular character in the 1976 King Kong remake.

Baker’s make-up artistry garnered him many accolades over the years including being awarded a Doctorate of Humane Letters from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco and a Jack Pierce Lifetime Achievement Award. Three years before his retirement in 2015, Baker was finally awarded the 2485th star of the Hollywood Walk of Fame.