Gene Witham(1946-2014)
- Make-Up Department
- Stunts
- Actor
Having been born into an active motion picture family, mother being an
actress and father being a producer/director, it was only fitting that
Gene would follow into the industry in some way. During early school
years he worked on television shows that his father produced or
directed as an actor or as an extra. Gene began shaping his skills by
attending beauty college to learn make-up and hair design. After
completing two courses with honors, he entered into the U.S. Navy. In
1963, after basic training, he was assigned to the carrier U.S.S
Enterprise as a medic/communications worker. After 6 months of active
duty, was accepted into the UDT-SEAL program in San Diego and went to
Southeast Asia for a tour of duty that lasted a total of six years.
Upon his return to civilian life in 1970, he entered the Universal City
Studios Make-up Apprenticeship Program under Bud Westmore and Tom
Gigante. Also worked for the Max Factor Make-up studios in Hollywood
during the weekends for almost three years. He received his first
assignment at Universal in 1971 and has been working at his craft ever
since. Having moved to Atlanta, Ga in 1973 to head the Make-up
Department of a local production company, he has spent the last 23
years being handy in productions created, shot and developed in the
state. Calling in his experience in the Navy, he has been a technical
advisor on films such as VietNam War Story, The Abyss, Flight of the
Intruder and U.S. Navy SEALs just to name a few. After having spent
over 30 years in the cosmetic industry as a working make-up artist, he
created a course of study that teaches the finer art and science of
prosthetic make-up molding, casting and application for the motion
picture industry, as well as its medical usages in the field of cancer
research and restorative make-up applications. As an advisor and
consultant to the American Cancer Research Council and the American
Cancer Society, he has logged over 13 years in the medical field as an
active participant in the design and development of prosthetic devices
for CVA victims.
