John Chambers (make-up artist)

John Chambers (1922–2001) was an American make-up artist and prosthetics expert. He is best known for his groundbreaking work on the original Planet of the Apes film in 1968, for which he received an honorary Academy Award.

Chambers began his career as a dental technician after serving in the U.S. Army Medical Corps during World War II, gaining skills he later utilized in his make-up work. He joined NBC in 1953 and Universal Studios in 1966, where he revolutionized make-up techniques, particularly in the application of prosthetics.

Beyond Planet of the Apes, Chambers's notable credits include The Island of Dr. Moreau (1977), Halloween II (1981), and Blade Runner (1982). He also worked extensively in television.

During the Iran hostage crisis in 1980, Chambers was instrumental in the CIA's "Canadian Caper," depicted in the film Argo. He used his make-up skills to disguise CIA operative Tony Mendez and six U.S. diplomats as a Canadian film crew, enabling their safe escape from Tehran. For his role in this operation, he received the CIA's Intelligence Medal.

Chambers's innovative contributions significantly advanced the field of cinematic make-up and prosthetics, and his work continues to influence make-up artists today. He passed away on August 12, 2001, in Thousand Oaks, California.