STUART FREEBORN: A CAREER OF MASKS, MONSTERS AND MAKE-UP!

Stuart Freeborn's career in the film industry is legendary (he's pictured here in his workshop at Elstree in 1979, alongside EMPIRE director Irvin Kershner, holding the in-development Yoda head), as are his contributions to the STAR WARS Classic Trilogy, especially the aforementioned Yoda and the mighty Chewbacca the Wookiee. Check out this lovely and fascinating career retrospective radio documentary that was recently on the UK's BBC RADIO 4 this past week, which goes through his illustrious, hard working and innovative career. Link: BBC - BBC Radio 4 Programmes - Stuart: A Face Backwards

The late Kay Freeborn adds some make-up touches to Peter Cushing on the Death Star Overbridge set.

One thing I wasn't aware of that I found out from the documentary was the recent passing of Stuart's wife, Kay, which I'm very sad to hear about. She was a very nice lady, whose make-up talents alongside her husband's are much missed.

With thanks to Chris Baker for the heads-up on this.

Continuing the celebration of the Freeborns remarkable career, why not get hold of the STAR WARS AFICIONADO magazine's MAKING OF RETURN OF THE JEDI SPECIAL ISSUE, which contains our exclusive interview with them from 2008, packed with info and rare imagery. For more info and how to get it, head here: STAR WARS AFICIONADO ISSUE 14 - THE MAKING OF "RETURN OF THE JEDI"