Howard Berger

Howard grew up in Los Angeles loving movies, special effects makeup, and monsters. He met one of his idols, the legendary character creator Stan Winston, when he was just 13 years old.

Stressing the importance of education, Winston promised to give Berger a job at Stan Winston Studio as long as he kept up his grades and graduated from high school. Winston lived up to his promise and hired Berger at 18 years old. During his time at Stan Winston Studio, Berger worked on Predator, Aliens, and Pumpkinhead.

In 1988, Howard co-founded KNB EFX Group, Inc. with Greg Nicotero and former partner Robert Kurtzman. Over the past 34 years, KNB EFX has become one of Hollywood's most prolific special makeup effects and character creation studios.

In 2006, Howard earned an Academy Award for Best Makeup for KNB’s contributions to The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.

Howard and KNB’s recent work can be seen in The Orville, Werewolf by Night, Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire, The Walking Dead, and The Santa Clauses.

Howard is also the proud co-author, along with Marshall Julius, of the recently published Masters of Make-Up Effects: A Century of Practical Magic, a stunning history of the art form that he has dedicated his life to.

For Howard, it's all about inspiring and educating the next generation of special makeup effects artists and character creators, and encouraging them to pursue their creative dreams, as he has done.