Film makeup pioneer Tuttle dies at 95

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PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif., Aug. 3 (UPI) -- William Tuttle, the innovative film makeup artist who paved the way for his craft to be recognized competitively, died in his California home at age 95.

Tuttle, whose work in "7 Faces of Dr. Lao" is considered a milestone in makeup, died Monday at his home in Pacific Palisades, the Los Angeles Times reported Friday.

His work was recognized with an honorary Oscar in 1965, marking "the beginning of makeup really being recognized and focused attention on the field," Kevin Thomas, a film critic and former Times staff writer, told the newspaper.

In "7 Faces of Dr. Lao," Tuttle transformed Tony Randall into the seven characters of the title, including the Asian character Dr. Lao, an aged Merlin and a feminine Medusa.

He created the monstrous Morlocks in "The Time Machine" and turned Peter Boyle into the monster in the Mel Brooks' comedy "Young Frankenstein." Tuttle's final credit was in 1981 for "Zorro, the Gay Blade."

Tuttle, who also worked on TV's "Twilight Zone," spent 35 years with MGM and taught at University of Southern California.

His first marriage to actress Donna Reed in divorce.

He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Anita, and his daughter, Teresa.