Italo-American make-up artist Tom Savini is probably the most famous special effects man for horror films today. He has worked with cult directors George A. Romero, Dario Argento, William Lustig, Sean S. Cunningham, Tobe Hooper, Brian Yuzna and Roger Avary. Savini's feature film debut as a director, NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD (1990), was written by George Romero himself. In the documentary THE AMERICAN NIGHTMARE (2000), Savini reveals that his grueling experiences in Vietnam (all the real killings he saw) inspired him for his special effects work.
Filmography below omits some documentaries where Savini was featured. The 'sfx'-credits mean that he was either special effects or make-up man.
Filmography:
Deathdream (1972; sfx)
Deranged (1974; sfx)
Martin (1977; sfx, act)
Effects (1978; sfx, act)
Dawn of the Dead (1978; sfx, act, stunts)
Friday the 13th (1980; sfx)
Maniac (1980; sfx, act)
Eyes of a Stranger (1981; sfx)
Knightriders (1981; act)
The Burning (1981; sfx)
The Prowler (1981; sfx)
Nightmare (1981; sfx)
Midnight (1981; sfx)
Creepshow (1982; sfx, act)
Alone in the Dark (1982; sfx)
Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter (1984; sfx)
Maria's Lovers (1984; sfx)
The Boy Who Loved Trolls (1984; sfx; made for TV)
Tales from the Darkside (1984; seq dir; TV series)
Day of the Dead (1985; sfx)
Invasion U.S.A. (1985; sfx)
The Ripper (1985; sfx; straight-to-video)
Il Mondo dell'Orrore di Dario Argento (1985; doc about Dario Argento)
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 (1986; sfx)
Creepshow 2 (1987; sfx, act)
Monkey Shines (1988; sfx, stunts)
Red Scorpion (1988; sfx)
Document of the Dead (1989; doc about George A. Romero)
Two Evil Eyes (1990; sfx, stunts)
Night of the Living Dead (1990; dir)
Bloodsucking Pharaohs in Pittsburgh (1991; sfx)
Innocent Blood (1992; act)
Trauma (1993; sfx)
Heartstopper (1993; sfx, act)
Killing Zoe (1994; sfx)
Necronomicon (1994; sfx)
The Demolitionist (1995; act)
Mr. Stitch (1995; sfx, act; made for TV)
From Dusk Till Dawn (1996; act)
The Assassination File (1996; sfx)
Wishmaster (1997; act)
Il Mondo di Dario Argento 3: Il museo degli orrori di Dario Argento (1997; doc about Dario Argento)
Eyes Are Upon You (1997; act)
Cutting Moments (1998; sfx)
Cold Hearts (1999; sfx)
The American Nightmare (2000; doc; as interviewee)
The Monster Man (2000; act; straight-to-video)
Web of Darkness (2001; sfx, act)
Children of the Living Dead (2001; sfx, act)
Vampirates (2001; dir)
Beyond the Wall of Sleep (2001; act)
Vicious (2002; act)
© Ron Altman (last update 02/24/04)