BRIAN MC MANUS                  Journeyman Make-up Artist                            (1952-2016)

A truly gifted, artistic and humble man, Brian McManus displayed the best and kindest traits to everyone he encountered.  Many are the tales of his generosity, his kindness, his patience and willingness to teach, to guide and befriend so many.   It has been said "he could fix anything" whether it was a make-up that had gone wrong, or his abilities at carpentry.  Always wearing his signature cowboy boots and riding a motorcycle, he was lovingly referred to as "The Marlboro Man (who looked like Nick Nolte)."  

He began his trade working in live theater at the Pantages and productions at The Forum and Santa Monica Civic.  He then moved into network (T.V. Tape) television and spent many years working at CBS Studio City with the talented artists on The Carol Burnett Show, Three's Company, The Ropers, The Match Game and The Bold and the Beautiful.  In 1990, at the request of actor Burt Reynolds, Brian began working as his personal make-up artist on Evening Shade and the working relationship lasted for more than 20 years.  Beyond Evening Shade, Brian worked with Reynolds on at least 10 features including Boogie Nights, Striptease, Johnson County War, and Citizen Ruth.  Brian was also the personal make-up artist for William Shatner on Star Trek: Generations and Star Trek Memories.  

Brian's career was much more than being a make-up artist for just one person, he was the consummate artist – he could do anything and did it extremely well.  Fellow artists relied on Brian and when called upon, he was a firm but generous teacher, and always took time to help others improve their craft.  His sense of humor was cock-eyed and dry, cynical and not for the timid.  Although many knew him and all admired his work, he was a private man.  At times he was the department head, on others he was part of the make-up crew.  Taken 2 and 3, Hidalgo, Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, A Walk in the Woods, Deadwood, Vanished, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Criminal Minds and Lincoln all benefitted from his artistry.  He was nominated for an Emmy Award for Deadwood (with John Rizzo, Adam Brandy and Deborah McNulty) and achieved his Gold Card status in 2008.  

As always reserved, when he was diagnosed with lung cancer, few knew.  Now that he is gone, many hearts are aching, all wishing they could have had a few more moments with him.  Brian McManus passed on July 23, 2016.  He is survived by his brother Craig, and although he had long-term girlfriends Brian was never married.  Services were limited to family.  Any memorial services for friends will be communicated at a later date.