We’re sad to report the news that SFX guru and pioneer Ray Harryhausen has passed away at the age of 92. The news was sent out by The Ray and Diana Harryhausen Foundation Facebook page.
Harryhausen was best known for his work in the field of stop-motion animation on films such as Clash of the Titans, It Came From Beneath The Sea, 20 Million Miles to Earth and Jason and the Argonauts.
The family’s statement reads:
The Harryhausen family regret to announce the death of Ray Harryhausen, Visual Effects pioneer and stop-motion model animator. He was a multi-award winner which includes a special Oscar and BAFTA. Ray’s influence on today’s film makers was enormous, with luminaries; Steven Spielberg, James Cameron, Peter Jackson, George Lucas, John Landis and the UK’s own Nick Park have cited Harryhausen as being the man whose work inspired their own creations.
They also posted some quotes from directors and filmmakers about the visionary.
“The Lord of the Rings is my ‘Ray Harryhausen movie’. Without his life-long love of his wondrous images and storytelling it would never have been made – not by me at least”
– Peter Jackson
“In my mind he will always be the king of stop-motion animation”
– Nick Park
“Ray, your inspiration goes with us forever.”
– Steven Spielberg
“I think all of us who are practitioners in the arts of science fiction and fantasy movies now all feel that we’re standing on the shoulders of a giant. If not for Ray’s contribution to the collective dreamscape, we wouldn’t be who we are.”
– James Cameron
The thoughts and prayers of all the Flickering Myth writing staff are with the Harryhausen family at this difficult time. He was the best at what he did and will be sorely missed.
Originally published May 7, 2013. Updated April 14, 2018.
