Albert Arnold "Buddy" Gillespie (October 14, 1899 – May 3, 1978) was an American cinema special effects artist.[1]

A. Arnold Gillespie
Born
Albert Arnold Gillespie

(1899-10-14)October 14, 1899
DiedMay 3, 1978(1978-05-03) (aged 78)
Other namesBuddy Gillespie
Occupation(s)Special effects artist, set designer
Years active1926–1965
Spouses
(m. 1933; div. 1944)
, 1 son
Nell Hill (1944-unknown), 1 son
  • Dora Ingram (unknown-1973)
Children2
AwardsAcademy Award for Best Visual Effects
1944 Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo
1947 Green Dolphin Street
1959 Ben-Hur
Academy Award for Technical Achievement
1964

Biography

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He was born on October 14, 1899, in El Paso, Texas. Gillespie joined MGM as a set designer in 1925, a year after it was founded. He was educated at Columbia University and the Arts Students League. His first project was the silent film Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ, released that same year. He worked at the studio in various capacities until 1962. In 1936, he became the head of MGM's Special Effects Department.[2]

He died on May 3, 1978, in Los Angeles, California.

Legacy

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He wrote a book, The Wizard of MGM: Memoirs of A. Arnold Gillespie. Gillispie's nickname was "Buddy."

Academy Award wins and nominations

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Wins shown in bold

Personal life

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Gillespie married Nell Hill in 1944. She died in 2000. They had one child, Thomas Scott Gillespie (1944–61). A. Arnold was previously married to aviator Ruth Elder, with whom he had a son, William Trent Gillespie (1940–2008).

Partial filmography for special effects

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Inasmuch as he worked on numerous films (IMDb credits him with 203), only some of the better known ones and ones involving prominent special effects are listed below.

References

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  1. ^ "A. Arnold Gillespie". International Dictionary of Film and Filmmakers. Retrieved 2010-10-28.
  2. ^ Hal Erickson (2014). "Arnold A. Gillespie biography". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. Archived from the original on 2014-12-15. Retrieved 2010-10-28.
  3. ^ "The 12th Academy Awards (1940) Nominees and Winners". oscars.org. Retrieved 2013-06-16.
  4. ^ "The 13th Academy Awards (1941) Nominees and Winners". oscars.org. Retrieved 2013-06-17.
  5. ^ "The 14th Academy Awards (1942) Nominees and Winners". oscars.org. Retrieved 2013-06-21.
  6. ^ "The 15th Academy Awards (1943) Nominees and Winners". oscars.org. Retrieved 2013-06-22.
  7. ^ "The 16th Academy Awards (1944) Nominees and Winners". oscars.org. Retrieved 2013-06-22.
  8. ^ "The 17th Academy Awards (1945) Nominees and Winners". oscars.org. Retrieved 2013-06-23.
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