Michael A. Hancock

Michael A. Hancock was an American makeup artist.

He is perhaps best known for his work on the films Illustrated Man (1969), Deliverance (1972), Black Rain (1989), Showdown in Little Tokyo (1991), and for being Morgan Freeman's personal makeup artist.

The two worked together on over 20 films including Se7en (1995), Chain Reaction (1996), Kiss the Girls (1997), Amistad (1997), Nurse Betty (2000), RED (2010), Oblivion (2013), Now You See Me (2013), Ben-Hur (2016), Angel Has Fallen (2019), and The Comeback Trail (2020).

Hancock began his career as a technical illustrator in the aerospace industry before landing an apprenticeship at Warner Bros. in the 1960s. He would go on to revolutionize the art of temporary tattoos by developing a new silk-screening process with special ink. He also helped create "Reel Blood," used in special effects makeup.

In television, Hancock's work is seen in the series Kung Fu, Jigsaw John, Vega$, Fantasy Island, Thirtysomething, The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr., and Empire Falls.

He was twice nominated for Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Makeup: first in 1985 for his work on The Burning Bed and again in 1990 for Fall from Grace.

Hancock died March 23, 2021, in Conroe, Texas. He was 79.