Charles Gemora
Charles Gemora was born on Jun 15, 1903 in Philippines. Charles Gemora's big-screen debut came with The Hunchback of Notre Dame directed by Wallace Worsley in 1923. Charles Gemora is known for One-Eyed Jacks directed by Marlon Brando, Marlon Brando stars as Rio and Karl Malden as Sheriff Dad Longworth. The upcoming new movie Charles Gemora plays is Jack the Giant Killer which will be released on Jun 13, 1962.
Stowed away on an American vessel sailing out of the Philippines, a young Charles Gemora arrived in California while the birth of cinema was in full swing. To help earn a little extra cash, Charlie would hang around the Universal entrance offering to sketch portraits. It wasn't long before his natural artistic abilities were noticed and Charles Gemora was working on such films as Le fantôme de l'opéra (1925) and L'arche de Noé (1928) as a sculptor. When Charles began working on creating gorilla suits for film, he realized that with his diminutive stature (5'5") and his commitment to excellence, he could do well to carve himself a niche as a gorilla man. Charles would spend almost 3 decades honing his realistic performance and leading the evolution of suit effects. While early appearances such as Seven Footprints to Satan (1929) were grotesque and horrific, later films like Le Singe justicier (1941) were distinguished by gorilla suits that were grounded in reality and performances that were informed by much study at the nearby San Diego Zoo. Gemora was equally adept at comedic roles, racking up credits alongside legends like Laurel and Hardy, Zasu Pitts, Charley Chase, Our Gang, the Marx Brothers, Abbott and Costello, and Hope and Crosby. Moving from Universal to Paramount in the early 1930's, Charles Gemora continued to work in the makeup and effects department there up until his death in 1961. Throughout his stay at Paramount, Charles racked up numerous unaccredited gorilla suit appearances while working on other films like Gunga Din (1939), Le tour du monde en 80 jours (1956), and Les dix commandements (1956). Perhaps the most recognizable contribution he made to cinema was the memorable alien menace from La Guerre des mondes (1953); the result of a last minute change of plans, Charles and his daughter Diana created the creature in a late night marathon. Gemora made his final gorilla suit film in 1954 with Le Fantôme de la rue Morgue (1954). A stunt man filled the hairy boots for strenuous action scenes but none could replicate the subtle pantomime skills that were unique to Charles.
Birthday
Jun 15, 1903Place of Birth
Negros, Philippines
Known For
Movies & TV Shows
- 1962
make-up department
6.3 - 1962
make-up department
5.1 - 19614.6
- 1961
make-up department
5.1 - 1961
make-up department
7.1 - 1960
make-up department
6.2 - 1959
The Four Skulls of Jonathan Drake
make-up department
5.8 - 19585.4
- 1957
make-up department
8.4 - 1957
make-up department
5.9 - 1956
make-up department
6.7 - 1956
make-up department
7.9 - 1956
make-up department
7.5 - 1956
make-up department
6.1 - 1955
make-up department
6.1 - 1955
make-up department
5.9 - 19545.9
- 19547.1
- 1954
make-up department
6.7 - 19536.1
- 19537.0
- 1952
make-up department
6.8 - 1952
make-up department
7.3 - 1951
make-up department
7.7 - 1950
make-up department
6.8 - 19484.6
- 1948
make-up department
6.0 - 1947
make-up department
6.9 - 1947
make-up department
6.1 - 19457.1
- 1945
art department
7.0 - 1945
make-up department
6.6 - 1944
make-up department
6.1 - 1944
make-up department
6.6 - 1944
make-up department
8.3 - 1944
make-up department
6.2 - 19435.6
- 1943
make-up department
6.3 - 1942
make-up department
5.8 - 1942
make-up department
6.2 - 1942
make-up department
6.6 - 19416.7
- 19416.0
- 1941
make-up department
6.6 - 1941
make-up department
7.6 - 1941
make-up department
7.3 - 1941
make-up department
5.4 - 1940
art department
6.1 - 1940
make-up department
7.1 - 1940
make-up department
6.4 - 1940
make-up department
6.6 - 1940
make-up department
6.4 - 1940
make-up department
8.1 - 19396.8
- 1939
make-up department
6.4 - 1939
make-up department
7.2 - 19386.6
- 1938
make-up department
5.5 - 1938
make-up department
6.4 - 1938
make-up department
6.6 - 1937
- 1937
make-up department
7.5 - 19366.8
- 1936
make-up department
6.6 - 1936
make-up department
6.5 - 1935
art department
6.4 - 1935
make-up department
6.8 - 19344.7
- 19336.5
- 19335.8
- 19327.4
- 19324.3
- 19326.8
- 19327.1
- 19326.9
- 19326.2
- 19326.3
- 19314.4
- 1931
make-up department
- 19305.6
- 19306.7
- 19306.1
- 19304.3
- 1930
art department
6.7 - 19295.4
- 19296.6
- 1929
- 19292.5
- 19296.6
- 19286.2
- 19288.1
- 1928
- 1928
art department
6.7 - 1926
art department
7.0 - 1924
art department
7.7 - 1923
art department
7.2