Fred Doria
- Make-Up Department
Fredric "Fred" Doria was born on July 29, 1936, in Chicago, Illinois.
The second son of Romeo Doria and Mary Dispensa Doria, he was named
after the film star Fredric March, one of his mother's favorite film
stars; his older brother Richard was also named after a film star:
Richard Dix. Fred was only four years old when his mother died. He and his brother were left with their maternal aunt, Rose Dispensa Motta,
for several years during World War II while their father Romeo served
in the Merchant Marines; Romeo was commended for bravery during the
sea battle of Leyte Gulf. Fred graduated from Hinsdale High School
(now known as Hinsdale Central) in 1954. He served in the United
States Army in the early 1960s as a member of what he referred to as
the "theater corps." His duties consisted of setting up and tearing
down sets as well as performances in a variety of plays. Honorably
discharged, he returned to Chicago, Illinois, where he studied and
worked at The Goodman Theater. His roles included playing one of
the murderers of Macduff's family in a GT production of "Macbeth"
starring Sam Wanamaker, but when he played the villain in a GT
production of "Aladdin and His Magic Lamp," he discovered his talent
for makeup artistry. After moving to Hollywood in the late 1960s, he
discovered that he preferred to be behind the camera as modest acting
jobs gave way to an enduring career as a makeup artist. After his
apprenticeship, he was the key makeup artist for television
commercials, various television series, and for feature films. Fred Doria retired at age 62.
" Grandfatherhood" had proved so rewarding, he renewed his education,
this time in an early childhood development program. Tragically, just
a few months after beginning to work with children, Fred died of
glioblastoma in 1999.