Gene Witham

Having been born into an active motion picture family, mother being an actress and father being a producer/director, it was only fitting that Gene would follow into the industry in some way. During early school years he worked on television shows that his father produced or directed as an actor or as an extra. Gene began shaping his skills by attending beauty college to learn make-up and hair design. After completing two courses with honors, he entered into the U.S. Navy. In 1963, after basic training, he was assigned to the carrier U.S.S Enterprise as a medic/communications worker. After 6 months of active duty, was accepted into the UDT-SEAL program in San Diego and went to Southeast Asia for a tour of duty that lasted a total of six years. Upon his return to civilian life in 1970, he entered the Universal City Studios Make-up Apprenticeship Program under Bud Westmore and Tom Gigante. Also worked for the Max Factor Make-up studios in Hollywood during the weekends for almost three years. He recieved his first assignment at Universal in 1971 and has been working at his craft ever since. Having moved to Atlanta, Ga in 1973 to head the Make-up Department of a local production company, he has spent the last 23 years being handy in productions created, shot and developed in the state. Calling in his experience in the Navy, he has been a technical advisor on films such as VietNam War Story, The Abyss, Flight of the Intruder and U.S. Navy SEALs just to name a few. After having spent over 30 years in the cosmetic industry as a working make-up artist, he created a course of study that teaches the finer art and science of prosthetic make-up molding, casting and application for the motion picture industry, as well as its medical usages in the field of cancer research and restorative make-up applications. As an advisor and consultant to the American Cancer Research Council and the American Cancer Society, he has logged over 13 years in the medical field as an active participant in the design and development of prosthetic devices for CVA victims.