Young Writers Society

Star Wars make-up artist Stuart Freeborn dies aged 98

Stuart Freeborn, the British make-up artist renowned for his contributions to 2001: A Space Odyssey and the Star Wars films, has died at the age of 98.

Largely self-taught, his six-decade career saw him create make-up and prosthetics for such cinematic legends as Alec Guinness and Peter Sellers.

One of his most famous creations was Yoda, the diminutive Jedi master first seen in 1980's The Empire Strikes Back.

Freeborn based Yoda's look on Albert Einstein, as well as his own features.

Star Wars creator George Lucas paid tribute to Freeborn, saying he was "a makeup legend" before he began working with him.

"He brought with him not only decades of experience, but boundless creative energy. His artistry and craftsmanship will live on forever in the characters he created. His Star Wars creatures may be reinterpreted in new forms by new generations, but at their heart, they continue to be what Stuart created for the original films."