Ray Harryhausen

Filmmaker

Born: 29 June 1920
Birthplace: Los Angeles, California
Best known as: Stop-motion filmmaker who did Jason and the Argonauts
Ray Harryhausen got his start working on visual effects in the 1949 movie Mighty Joe Young. Using stop-motion photography and models, Harryhausen became one of the pioneers of visual effects in fantasy films. In 1953 he teamed with friend and writer Ray Bradbury to make The Beast From 20,000 Fathoms, and he is famous for his work in films such as Earth vs. the Flying Saucers, The 7th Voyage of Sinbad and Jason and the Argonauts. Harryhausen's last film was 1981's Clash of the Titans.
Extra credit: Harryhausen was awarded a special Oscar in 1992 for his body of work.

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More on Ray Harryhausen from Fact Monster:

  • Ray Harryhausen - Biography of Ray Harryhausen, Stop-motion filmmaker who did Jason and the Argonauts
  • Willis O'Brien - Biography of Willis O'Brien, The animator of the original King Kong
  • Ray Bradbury - Biography of Ray Bradbury, Author of Fahrenheit 451 and The Martian Chronicles
  • Selected Biographies: H - Selected biographies of well-known people and fictional characters

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