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Steve Neill is a special effects makeup artist, filmmaker, puppeteer, model maker, and visual effects (VFX) artist in film and television, with a career spanning more than 35 years.
He began his career at American Zoetrope right after high school, producing his first film, Arthur. Mentored by Francis Coppola, Steve developed a close friendship with him. Upon moving to Hollywood, he apprenticed briefly under Joe Blasco before becoming friends with Rick Baker, who helped launch his Hollywood career. Steve later connected with Bob Schieffer, head of Disney makeup, and through him became friends with Fred B. Phillips. His first work with Fred B. Phillips was on Star Trek: The Motion Picture, where he crafted Spock's ears and designed the dome-headed alien appliance applied by Ve Neill. After Star Trek, Steve worked with John Chambers creating prosthetics and puppet heads for National Lampoon's Class Reunion. He also contributed to Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country as a sculptor and prosthetic maker for various Klingon forehead pieces and worked on the Star Trek: The Next Generation pilot episode, "Encounter at Farpoint."
Steve Neill was one of the renowned Hollywood Gorilla Men, having created three gorilla suits and performed in numerous commercials, TV shows, and films. He also created and puppeteered the McDonald's "Mac Tonight" moon character, with the head worn by Doug Jones and puppeteered by Steve Neill, Gillian Neill, and Bob Burns. His film credits include Crater Lake Monster (1977), Laser Blast (1978), and he wrote, created, and produced The Day Time Ended (1978). Additional projects include Ghostbusters (1984), Fright Night (1985), and many other sci-fi and horror films.
Currently, Steve Neill is producing "But Something is There" at SNG Studio, alongside Paul Gentry, Whitley Strieber, and Mary Cacciapaglia. SNG Studio also offers an apprenticeship program where Steve mentors emerging artists, giving back to the industry he loves. He remains active in the field and owns SNG Studio in Ventura, California, just 45 minutes north of Los Angeles.
