Makeup effects artists are the magicians of the film world. And they're a dying breed. As CGI continues to proliferate (and AI even threatens to overthrow that field), makeup artists have to compete with increasingly corporate-leaning filmmaking strategies. But, here's the thing: There are a lot of things that a computer can't do. Whether we know why or not, our eyes can distinguish what's tangible and what's made in front of a green screen. We might not be able to articulate what makes an image uncanny, but our brain knows the difference between a palpable effect and a CG nightmare.

Rick Baker is one of the best to ever work in the medium. His indelible creations elevated dozens of films, and he even contributed to Michael Jackson's legendary "Thriller" video. Baker's contributions to moviemaking deserve to be viewed with the same appreciation as the greats, placing him in a pantheon with Ray Harryhausen, Dick Smith, and Willis H. O'Brien. But what does Baker have in common with all these luminaries, besides his legendary filmography?

While the best monster effects might shock and repel us, it might be Baker's affinity for the creature that sets him apart from the average fan.

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In a 2019 interview with NPR, Baker spoke of how an early glimpse at Frankenstein's monster set the wheels turning for his legendary career.

"I wasn't afraid of him," Baker said of Boris Karloff's iconic creature. "I felt a sympathy for the monster. And he didn't ask to be made. It was kind of like a kid. A misfit kid."

It was an affection Baker carried with him through the rest of his career. This is what enabled Baker to maintain a childlike sense of play in all of his future creations, leading to some of the most recognizable movie moments in cinema history.

"This is how I have fun. This is how I entertain myself," he said. "And I'm going to do this as long as I can. That's one of the reasons I retired. I have things I want to make for myself."