(Historic) John Chambers
John Chambers (b. September 12, 1923 in Chicago, Illinois - d. August 12, 2001 in Woodland, California) was a famous make-up artist who became a veteran in both television and film. Although he worked on some sleeper movies such as "Halloween II" (1981) and his first movie, "Around the World in 80 Days" (1956), his work became known worldwide in the Planet of the Apes series, for which he won a special Academy Award. Chambers also created the pointed ears worn by Leonard Nimoy in the original Star Trek television series.
For his work in movies, Chambers has a "Star" on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Contents
- Bigfoot Rumors
- Birthday Party
- Good Business
- Burbank Bigfoot
- References
Bigfoot Rumors
Chambers' connection with the world of bigfoot came about when Hollywood director John Landis (American Werewolf in London) started spreading rumors that John Chambers had been responsible for the suit used in the Patterson-Gimlin film in 1967.
In 2006, bigfoot researcher Paul Vella attempted to challenge Landis about the Chambers-Bigfoot rumor during a BBC phone-in, but was told in no uncertain terms that John Landis had refused to take the call.
Birthday Party
At a 75th Birthday party for Chambers, as he was being presented with a scrapbook of memorabilia from "Planet of the Apes," someone shouted across the room, "Hey John, did you make the monkey suit for the Patterson film?" Chambers replied that he had not.
Good Business
For years John Chambers allowed the public to believe he made the costume allegedly worn by the 1967 Patterson-Gimlin film creature. However, in October 1997, during an interview with Bobbie Short conducted shortly before his death, Chambers categorically denied the rumor, stating that he was never good enough to have made a costume resembling the PGF creature, but allowed the rumor to persist because it "was good business."
Burbank Bigfoot
Perhaps some of the rumor is the result of Chambers' work on the "Burbank Bigfoot" - a model based on 7'4" actor Richard Keil ("Jaws" in the Bond movies); this was a still model designed as an exhibit (see image).
References
