News outlets are reporting Stan Winston, who won three vfx effects Oscars over the course of his career, is dead at age 62.
Per the LOS ANGELES TIMES, Winston died at his home Sunday evening after a seven-year struggle with multiple myeloma, according to a spokeswoman from Stan Winston Studios.
"Stan died peacefully at home surrounded by family," a spokeswoman said.
Winston won three vfx Oscars and earned many nominations. His first Oscar was for James Cameron's ALIENS in 1986. He later won for TERMINATOR 2: JUDGMENT DAY in 1992 and JURASSIC PARK in 1993. He also won the makeup Oscar for TERMINATOR 2.
Phil Tippett, who shared the Oscar with Winston for JURASSIC PARK, told the TIMES he considered Winston one of the best in the industry. "Stan contributed to some of the greatest -- fantastic movie characters in motion picture history," Tippett said. "His loss in a great one and he will be missed."
He co-founded the vfx house Digital Domain and Stan Winston Studios, which creates characters, creatures and monsters.
Current releases from Stan Winston Studio include summer hits IRON MAN and INDIANA JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL. Upcoming projects include SHUTTER ISLAND, TERMINATOR 4, G.I. JOE, and James Cameron's AVATAR.
He is survived by his wife, Karen, son Matt, daughter Debbie, daughter-in-law Amy, son-in-law Erich, four grandchildren: Rowan, Wyatt, Georgia, and Pheona, and brother Ronnie Winston. In lieu of flowers the family is requesting that donations be made to the following charitable organizations:
Institute for Myeloma & Bone Cancer Research:9201 W. Sunset Blvd. Ste 300, West Hollywood, California 90069 USA.
Free Arts for Abused Children:12095 W. Washington Blvd. #104, Los Angeles, California 90066 USA.
