I remember reading an article about his death in the Saturday edition of the Kansas City Star. Which, thinking about it now, is pretty damn cool. Actually, they had made mention of "Predator," and my Mom grabbed me and told me to read it.
He spent almost all of his career behind foam latex, and here, the Kansas City Star is paying homage to him. That's pretty goddamn respectable if I say so. It's the midwest afterall.
I remember reading over the article, and they had a picture of him, and my first words were - "He wore glasses too!" and "He was black?" Yup, I'm being honest. Before that article I'd never imagined there being a person inside the suit. But, I am glad I read it because it showed me the man who had brought the Predator to life.
I think it's safe to say that, most people who do that kind of work for a living don't realise the kind of impact they have on people. Stan Winston, Kevin Peter Hall, etc, etc. How they inspire us creatively to pursue our dreams and work our damndest to realize our dreams. That might seem a bit over dramatic, but who here didn't feel that sudden empty, sad feeling when they showed Stan Winstons photo at the Oscars a couple of years ago? Who here didn't atleast water up in the eyes? Come on, don't be shy.
I never had the privilege, or oppurtunity to meet either Stan Winston or Kevin Peter Hall, but they have both influenced me more than they'll ever know.
