Ellis Burman Jr.

Ellis Burman Jr. (1935–2020) was an American television and film special make-up effects artist best known for his work in the films Back to the Future, the Star Trek series, The Terminator, and Gargoyles. He has two Emmy Awards for make-up: Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Gargoyles. He has eight Emmy nominations. Early life and education Ellis "Sonny" Burman Jr. was born in Nebraska, the son of Ellis Luis Burman and his wife Dorothy. His father and mother met as students at the Chicago Institute of Art. His father was a sculptor. He has a brother Tom and three sisters.

In 1937, during the Depression Era, Ellis Luis Burman, his wife Dorothy, and their two sons, Ellis Jr. and Tom, moved to Santa Monica, where Ellis began working in sculpture, prop creation and miniatures for films. Dorothy Burman, also an artist, worked together on some projects. The brothers grew up around their father’s studio, playing with the monster masks he created for films including Lon Chaney’s Frankenstein and Wolfman, and learning the craft of makeup and special effects.

Personal life Burman Jr.'s nephews included Rob Burman and Barney Burman, who also entered the makeup effects field. According to Rob Burman, Rob's father gave him his first job in the industry by inviting him to assist with mold cleaning during the summer of 1976, marking the start of Rob’s career in special effects.