Chris Walas

• Name — Chris Walas • Birth Name — Christopher James Walas • Born — 1955 • Birthplace — Chicago, Illinois, U.S. • Other Names — * Christopher Walas • Christopher J. Walas • Occupation — * Special effects artist • Special make-up effects artist • Film director • Film producer • Screenwriter • Years Active — 1978–present

His main body of work is with special effects in a wide variety of films, from science fiction to action-adventure. His work on The Fly won him an Academy Award for Best Makeup and Hairstyling and led to his directorial debut on The Fly II. Walas grew up a fan of monster movies and particularly the work of Ray Harryhausen, even considering becoming a stop motion animator. After moving to Los Angeles in his early twenties seeking any filmmaking opportunity, he got a job at Don Post Studios, a mask-making company, learning all about creation of props and prosthetics. After meeting Phil Tippett making Piranha, Walas was recruited by him to do effects in Dragonslayer. At the same time Tippett joined another Industrial Light & Magic production, Raiders of the Lost Ark, being responsible for the famous scene where the Nazis melt from the intense heat created by the Ark of the Covenant. Walas would then work in Return of the Jedi, designing five creatures seen in Jabba the Hutt's palace. Walas left ILM to found his own company, Chris Walas Inc. (CWI), once he was recruited by Piranha director Joe Dante to create the creatures from Gremlins. CWI remained in high demand for film, television and commercials.

• 2002 — Dark Heaven — designer: angels • 1991 — Curse III: Blood Sacrifice — monster design • 1991 — Naked Lunch — special effects and monster design • 1990 — Arachnophobia — creature effects supervisor • 1989 — The Fly II — effects designer and creator: Chris Walas Inc. • 1987 — House II: The Second Story — makeup and creature effects designer • 1986 — The Fly — creature effects • 1985 — Enemy Mine — aliens creator and designer: Chris Walas Inc. special creature makeup and effects director: Chris Walas Inc. • 1984 — Gremlins — creator: Gremlins • 1983 — Return of the Jedi — creature consultant • 1982 — E.T. the Extraterrestrial — model maker (uncredited) • 1981 — Dragonslayer — close-up dragon: ILM • 1980 — Airplane! — special projects • 1980 — Humanoids from the Deep — special effects (uncredited) • 1979 — Up from the Depths — special effects • 1978 — Piranha — special properties

• 1995 — Jade — special makeup effects • 1995 — Virtuosity — special makeup effects • 1989 — Tales from the Crypt: "The Switch" — special makeup effects • 1985 — Enemy Mine — special makeup effects • 1984 — Gremlins — special makeup effects • 1981 — Raiders of the Lost Ark — special makeup effects: ILM • 1981 — Caveman — creator: abominable snowman • 1981 — Scanners — special makeup effects • 1980 — Galaxina — special makeup effects • 1979 — Something Waits in the Dark (later known as Screamers) — special makeup effects, U.S. filmed additions to L'isola degli uomini pesce

• 1992 — The Vagrant • 1990 — Tales from the Crypt: "'Til Death" • 1989 — The Fly II