Greg Cannom dead: Oscar-winning Hollywood legend dies after devastating health battle

Oscar-winning make-up artist Greg Cannom has died aged 74 after battling a number of health issues, which was sparked from him catching shingles years before. Over his lengthy career, which started in the late 70s, Cannom won four Academy Awards, bagging three for Best Makeup, for Bram Stoker's Dracula, Mrs. Doubtfire, and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, and one for Best Makeup and Hairstyling for Vice. He was also awarded a Technical Achievement Award by the Academy in 2005.

He was also known for his work on horror films, as he created the makeup effects for films like The Lost Boys, The Exorcist III, Alien 3, Idle Hands and Hannibal. Two years ago, his friends started a GoFundMe to try and raise funds for his treatment as he faced "major health issues, including nerve damage from shingles and a partial amputation of one of his legs. The fundraiser managed to achieve an impressive $100,000, beating the original goal of $75,000.

The post reads: "In December of 2022, Greg's health took a turn for the worse, and he was hospitalized, where he remains today. The ongoing infection in his foot spread to his leg and it was amputated below the knee, on March 5th. He is currently fighting off three different viruses which are wreaking havoc on his white blood cells.

"His body went into Septic shock, which required him to be intubated, and to receive three separate blood transfusions. Greg's diabetes is also causing his kidneys to malfunction in his current state, and a recent diagnosis of heart failure is making a positive prognosis more difficult.

"In addition to all of this, Greg's vision has become very poor and he requires cataract surgery and lens replacement implants."

It continued: "Unfortunately, Greg's extreme outcome has come at a tremendously high physical and financial cost. The next round of treatments and recovery will continue for many months, with no way to fully know those additional costs.

"Greg's Medical insurance will only go so far. While Greg is receiving a very modest pension payment, he cannot work or care for himself for the foreseeable future, and he has no way to pay for his living expenses. Greg's ultimate goal is to become healthy enough to officially retire to the Hollywood Motion Picture Home."