Frank Griffin
Journeyman Make-Up Artist
1929-2024
Make-up Artist and actor Frank Griffin was from a third generation showbiz family with his sisters (actors) Debra Paget, Teala Loring and Lisa Gaye. Frank acted in approximately 20 features and early television shows before switching careers in the early 1960s, studying make-up artistry under Layne "Shotgun" Britton and Harry Maret, While learning his craft, Frank worked on My Fair Lady. His outstanding skills provided him a very eclectic career running from the most glamorous of beauty make-ups to technically challenging special make-up effects still remembered in film history. He was part of the team that executed one of the most difficult make-ups still remembered to this day - the chest appliance that allowed actor Richard Harris to be suspended in the air with hooks through his pectoral muscles in the feature film A Man Called Horse. Frank’s credits during that time include Electra Glide in Blue, Westworld, Cinderella Liberty, Audrey Rose, The Demon Seed, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Overboard, Lou Grant, Urban Cowboy, Thief, Pennies From Heaven, Fast Times in Ridgemont High, Revenge of the Nerds, Pee Wee’s Big Adventure, Spies Like Us, Peggy Sue Got Married, and Three Amigos!
Frank met actor Steve Martin on Pennies From Heaven and it began a working relationship that spanned from more than 20 years until Frank’s retirement in 2006: Roxanne, Planes, Trains and Automobiles, Parenthood, My Blue Heaven, L.A. Story, Father of the Bride (1 & 2) Grand Canyon, House Sitter, Sgt. Bilko, The Spanish Prisoner, Bowfinger, Novocaine, Bringing Down the House, Cheaper by the Dozen, and Shopgirl. Anyone who had the privilege of working with them knows fully well that Frank had one of the most insanely funny senses of humor on the planet. Just before the word "rolling" was yelled, Frank could quietly throw a humor bomb and could make you explode with laughter.
Griffin’s personal level of excellence led him to volunteer as a judge for the examination committee that determined journeyman status for make-up artists. He eagerly shared education and helped to fine tune skills with.other artists.
Frank Griffin is survived by his life partner of than 43 years, hair stylist Linda Trainoff. He was previously married to Barbara Jean Dingman and three other wives, and had six children, 706 hair stylist Roxane Griffin and Frank, Gayle, Beau (Grip, IATSE Local 80() and Samantha (deceased) plus six grandchildren. - Lindsay, Kelsey, Brandon, Cassandra, Garrett Griffin and Jesse.
The family will notify Local 706 in the future of any memorial plans.
Link to Hollywood Reporter Obituary by Mike Barnes:
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/frank-griffin-dead-steve-martin-roxanne-1235993914/
Left to Right: Ron Snyder, Dan Stripes, Steve Robinette, Frank Griffin
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