EXTENDED FAMILY NEWS
Michael Hancock
began his artistic
career as a technical
illustrator in the
aerospace industry,
then transitioned into
an apprenticeship at
Warner Bros. in the
1960s. While working
there, he came up
with a silk-screen
process to render a
complete full-body
tattoo for the movie
The Illustrated Man,
starring Rod Steiger
and Claire Bloom.
This process at the time, revolutionized the art of temporary
tattoos in the industry. Later in the early '80s, he was invited
Michael Hancock (1941-2021)
Journeyman Make-up Artist
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to partner with Fred Blau for the movie Tattoo, starring Bruce
Dern and Maud Adams. In the preparation for the movie, they
had to come up with an ink that would last for more than a
day. Mike formulated a base for the inks and then went to
New York to work with a pigment and dye company to figure
out whether to use pigments or dyes. Pigments became the
product of choice and because of this formula and its lasting
qualities, it saved the company one full day of shooting.
Together with Fred Blau, he helped to revolutionize the art of
temporary tattoos with their company now known as Reel™
Body Art Ink.
Mike was noted for his work on the films Black Rain and
Showdown in Little Tokyo. Although he primarily worked as
Morgan Freeman's personal make-up artist (working together
on 20+ films)—his diverse body of work ranged from Clint
Eastwood films to TV series like Kung Fu and Vega$ and
the film Deliverance. He served as a member of Local 706's
Executive Board 1977-80 and was recognized by the IATSE
for his 50 years of membership in 2018.
In Memoriam
