The Westmores

The Westmore Family is a well known family in Hollywood makeup. Led by George Westmore, the family has had four generations serve Hollywood as makeup artists since George's establishment of Hollywood's first makeup department in 1917.

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The first successful Westmore was George Westmore, born in 1879 in Newport, Isle of Wight. He was originally a hairdresser who then emigrated to the United States with his family. Specialising in wig making, and later makeup, he founded the first and small movie makeup department, at Selig Studio in 1917. He understood that cosmetic and hair needs were personal and would makeup stars such as Mary Pickford and the Talmadge sisters Norma and Constance, in their homes before they left for work in the morning. He had six sons and taught 4 of them the techniques of the industry.

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Monte George Westmore

Monte was born in 1902, he was the eldest out of the six. He followed his fathers footsteps, working for both the Famous Players-Lasky studio and Selznick International Pictures. He was head of the makeup department and Selznick and worked on films such as Gone with the Wind (1939) and Rebecca (1940). He had three sons, Marvin, Michael and Monty, all of whom become makeup artists.

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Percival Harry Westmore

Perc was born in 1904 along with his twin brother Ern. He rose to the position of Head of the Warner Brothers makeup department, and with his brothers founded the studio "The House of Westmore" in Los Angeles. He worked with well known Hollywood actresses such as Lauren Bacall, Bette Davis and Kay Francis.

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Ernest Henry Westmore

Ern was born in 1904 and was the third child of George. Not only was he a hollywood makeup artist, he was also sometimes actor. Considered the most talented out of the brothers, he found work at Warner Bros. studio, RKO Studios and Eagle-Lion Studios. He was the makeup director on over 50 films during his career.

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Bud Westmore

Bud was born in 1918 and was the second youngest child of George. He worked on over 450 movies and television shows including To Kill a Mockingbird, Man of a Thousand Faces, The Andromeda Strain and Creature from the Black Lagoon. He was also famous for the makeup for TV show The Munsters. 

Image from: http://www.wearysloth.com/Gallery/Directors/d27930.gif

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Information from: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/641129/Westmore-Family

http://www.filmreference.com/Writers-and-Production-Artists-Vi-Win/The-Westmore-Family.html

http://ahollywoodflashback.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/hollywoods-golden-age-behind-scenes_19.html