Gregory Nicotero (born March 15, 1963) is an American special make-up effects creator, and television producer and director. His first major job in special effects makeup was on the George A. Romero film Day of the Dead Tom Savini .
In 1988, along with Robert Kurtzman and Howard Berger , he formed KNB EFX Group, a special make-up effects studio which has gone on to work on over 400 film and television projects. KNB has won numerous awards, including an Emmy Award in 2001 for their work on the 2000 Sci Fi Channel miniseries Frank Herbert's Dune The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
He is currently working as co-executive producer, special make-up effects supervisor, and occasional director on the AMC TV series The Walking Dead Fear the Walking Dead The Walking Dead The Walking Dead: Webisodes .
walking dead zombie makeup tips and tricks greg nicotero interview Life and career Nicotero claims he began taking an interest in special effects after viewing the film Jaws The Exorcist , Planet of the Apes Jaws and then later Dawn of the Dead Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania , learning the trade of special make-up effects, also known as prosthetic makeup, from Tom Savini , an award-winning special effects and makeup artist, and helping on films by director George A. Romero.
While working on the 1985 Romero film Day of the Dead , he met Howard Berger, who would become one of his partners at KNB EFX Group. Nicotero relocated to Hollywood and moved in with Berger and Robert Kurtzman .
He later worked as FX artist on the 2010 film Predators
Nicotero worked as special make-up effects supervisor, co-executive producer and occasional director for the TV series The Walking Dead , as well as acting in a few uncredited cameos. He was at the San Diego Comic-Con International for the show. He was a guest on Talking Dead on March 24, 2013, October 12, 2014, February 8, 2015, and February 14, 2016. He also supervises the make-up effects for Fear the Walking Dead
In 2011, Nicotero was interviewed for the 2012 zombie special effects book "Blood Splatter: A Guide to Cinematic Zombie Violence, Gore and Special Effects" by author Craig W. Chenery .
He was a guest on the MythBusters
Suicide Squad The Hateful Eight Fear The Walking Dead (2015) (special make-up effects) (as Greg Nicotero)Lone Survivor (2013) (special make-up effects)Oz the Great and Powerful The Man with the Iron Fists Seven Psychopaths The Odd Life of Timothy Green The Grey A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas (2011) (key special makeup effects supervisor)Breaking Bad Water for Elephants I Am Number Four Paul The Boy Who Cried Werewolf The United Monster Talent Agency (2010) (special makeup effects) (as Greg Nicotero) Short FilmThe Ward Piranha 3D The Walking Dead (2010-) (special makeup effects) (as Greg Nicotero)The Pacific (2010) (key special makeup effects supervisor) (6 episodes)Predators Edge of Darkness The Book of Eli Mirrors (2008) (special makeup effects designer)Fear Itself The Mist Diary of the Dead Underdog (2007) (supervisor)Transformers Grindhouse Disturbia Spider-Man 3 The Reaping Hostel: Part II The Hills Have Eyes 2 Death Proof "Comedy Hell" (2006) (special makeup designer) (as Greg Nicotero) The Return The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning Casino Royale Desperation (2006) (TV) (special makeup effects supervisor)Poseidon (2006) (makeup effects supervisor)The Hills Have Eyes The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005) (special makeup and creatures)Hostel Serenity (2005) (special effects makeup supervisor) (as Greg Nicotero)The Island Land of the Dead The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl in 3-D The Amityville Horror Sin City Cursed Masters of Horror Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events (2004) (special effects supervisor) (as Greg Nicotero)Ray Riding the Bullet Ginger Snaps: Unleashed (2004) (special makeup effects)Kill Bill: Volume 2 Kill Bill: Volume 1 Once Upon a Time in Mexico Identity (2003) (special makeup effects supervisor)The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over Hulk Cabin Fever Bubba Ho-tep (2002) (special effects makeup supervisor) (as Greg Nicotero)Murder by Numbers The Rules of Attraction Vampires: Los Muertos Austin Powers in Goldmember Minority Report The Time Machine Evolution Vanilla Sky Thir13en Ghosts (2001) (special makeup effects artist & supervisor)Ghosts of Mars Mulholland Drive The Animal Spy Kids (2001) (makeup effects supervisor & creature effects) (as Greg Nicotero)Unbreakable The Cell Frank Herbert's Dune Little Nicky House on Haunted Hill The Haunting The Green Mile The Faculty Very Bad Things Vampires (1998) (special makeup effects)Scream 2 Wishmaster Boogie Nights Spawn (1997) (animatronic creature & special makeup effects)Scream From Dusk till Dawn Eraser Lord of Illusions In the Mouth of Madness Vampire in Brooklyn Wes Craven's New Nightmare (1994) (special makeup effects)Pulp Fiction (1994) (special makeup supervisor) (uncredited)Pumpkinhead II: Blood Wings Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday Body Bags Army of Darkness The People Under the Stairs Dances with Wolves Misery Bride of Re-Animator Tales from the Darkside: The Movie Leatherface: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre III Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers DeepStar Six The Horror Show Phantasm II Monkey Shines (1988) (special makeup effects artist)Phantasm II (1988) (special makeup effects constructor)Evil Dead II Predator Creepshow 2 Invasion U.S.A. (1985) (additional special effects makeup) (as Greg Nicotero)Day of the Dead (1985) (special makeup effects artist)The Walking Dead 1.3 "Tell It to the Frogs " (uncredited) .... Walker Eating Deer 1.4 "Vatos " (uncredited) .... Walker biting Amy 3.9 "The Suicide King " (uncredited) .... Walker in Woodbury 6.3 "Thank you" (uncredited) .... Walker in herd Piranha 3D Inglourious Basterds Gingerdead Man 2: Passion of the Crust Diary of the Dead Cemetery Gates (2006) .... Stoner Dude MichaelThe Hills Have Eyes (2006) (as Greg Nicotero) .... CystLand of the Dead (2005) (as Greg Nicotero) .... Bridgekeeper ZombieCursed House on Haunted Hill From Dusk till Dawn (1996) .... Sex Machine's BuddyThe Demolitionist Body Bags Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989) (uncredited) .... Guy in Gas StationIntruder Night of the Creeps Day of the Dead (1985) .... Pvt. JohnsonThe Walking Dead (2011–present) (20 episodes)2.11 "Judge, Jury, Executioner " 3.05 "Say The Word" 3.11 "I Ain't a Judas " 3.15 "This Sorrowful Life " 4.01 "30 Days Without an Accident " 4.09 "After" 4.15 "Us" 5.01 "No Sanctuary " 5.09 "What Happened and What's Going On " 5.12 "Remember " 5.16 "Conquer " 6.01 "First Time Again " 6.09 "No Way Out " 6.12 "Not Tomorrow Yet " 6.16 "Last Day on Earth " 7.01 "The Day Will Come When You Won't Be " 7.02 "The Well " 7.09 "Rock in the Road" 7.12 "Say Yes" 7.16 "The First Day of the Rest of Your Life" The Walking Dead: The Oath (2013) (3 webisodes)The Walking Dead: Cold Storage The Walking Dead: Torn Apart The United Monster Talent Agency (2010) (Short film)
