It is with a heavy heart that we report the passing of one of the greats of Industrial Light and Magic (ILM), Star Wars special effects sculptor Richard Miller. Miller, whose work in the Star Wars films and many of the other films produced by George Lucas’ production company has earned him lifelong admiration and accolades, has died at the age of 78.
Miller, born in Brooklyn in 1942, was an early proponent of computer-generated imagery and its use in cinema, which ultimately earned him a Visual Effects Academy Award in 2018. As an artist at ILM, Miller’s work went beyond movies and onto TV shows, commercials, and theme-park attractions.
In the modern age of computer-aided animation and film production, Richard Miller was responsible for crafting some of the most iconic characters and creatures from the Star Wars films. From the mask of Darth Vader, to the multitudes of creatures seen throughout the original trilogy, Miller’s sculptings were unthinkably detailed. Every small detail of his sculptures were carefully curated and hand-crafted. Miller’s work was integral to the making of stop-motion masterpieces such as the AT-ATs, FX-9 droid, and the wide array of aliens and droids throughout the universe of Star Wars.
Miller was among the first to join ILM when it was founded in 1975. He spent the next forty-five years as a sculptor and model maker for the company, having worked on many of their high-profile projects, such as the Indiana Jones series, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, and the Star Wars prequels. Miller was integral to popularizing the use of latex foam for creating realistic creature effects and his ability to craft unique creatures often exceeded the expectations of his directors and colleagues.
Throughout his illustrious career, Miller established himself as one of the greatest special effects model makers and sculptors in cinematic history. His commitment to his craft and his immense passion for the art of special effects will be sorely missed by both the industry and fans alike. He was much more than a great artist, he was a mentor in the production industry and was an inspiration to many of today’s filmmakers.
The loss of Richard Miller is one that is felt deeply throughout the special effects industry and, most importantly, the many people whose lives he touched. He was a visionary and his legacy of imaginative sculpting lives on through the work of many present and future artisans.
RIP Richard Miller. Thank you for sharing your art with the world.
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