In another blow to the horror fandom, we’re sad to report that make-up effects artist Screaming Mad George has died.
Born Joji Tani on October 7th 1956, George was a native of Osaka, Japan. During his early years there, he adopted the Christian name “George” in order to stand out.
Upon immigration to the United States, the artist once again sought to distinguish himself from the countless other “Georges” at The School of the Visual Arts. Thus, Screaming Mad George was born.
Upon graduation, George pursued a career as a punk rock musician. Throughout the late 70s and into the 80s, he performed with his band The Mad.
It was the gory, surreal, make-up-heavy music videos George crafted to accompany his songs that captured the attention of Hollywood.
His mainstream career began in 1985, when he was hired by Warner Bros. as part of the “creature crew” on Poltergeist II: The Other Side.
From here began a rapid-fire line of high-profile movies, where George worked either as a primary effects artist, or in the visual effects department.
Some of George’s most notable work includes A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors, James Cameron’s The Abyss, Predator, and A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master.
Other projects during this period included the slasher film Hide and Go Shriek, and Don’t Panic, Mexico’s answer to A Nightmare on Elm Street.
With 1990’s Bride of Re-Animator, George began a lifelong collaboration with filmmaker Brian Yuzna. Their collaborations continued over the next decade and included Silent Night, Deadly Night 4, Silent Night, Deadly Night 5, Society, Progeny, Faust, and Beyond Re-Animator among others.
George’s effects work can also be seen in the likes of An American Werewolf in Paris, and even in music videos from Marilyn Manson and N’SYNC.
Although he’d been less active in more recent years, George’s work at the peak of surrealist horror’s popularity remains regarded as some of the best.
The artist’s final project would be uncredited creature effects work on 2013’s This is the End.
Screaming Mad George passed away on February 10 2026.
His death remained unannounced until August 16, when his family issued a statement via his official Instagram. It is understood George suffered a cardiac arrest on February 6, before passing away four days later.
He is survived by his wife Miki, with whom he had a daughter. Screaming Mad George was 69 at the time of his death.
May he rest in peace.
