Official sources and horror associates are starting to report that special effects guru John Vulich has passed away at age 55. It’s being said that he passed away in the early hours of Wednesday, October 12, while asleep in bed. A cause of death has yet to be specified, but it goes without saying that Vulich has left this plane of existence way too soon!

You may not know him by name, but you’ll certainly recognize his body of work. Vulich worked in the field of special effects as a creator, designer, fabricator, make up artist and supervisor. He worked on dozens of horror tiles including a whole bunch of movies that defined The Golden Age of Horror. His many credits include Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter (1984), Ghoulies (1984), Day of the Dead (1985), The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 (1986),Troll (1986), The Lost Boys (1987), Cocoon 2: The Return (1988), Fright Night 2 (1988), Night of the Living Dead (1990), Return of the Living Dead: Rave to the Grave (2005) and Return of the Living Dead: Necropolis (2005).

He also worked on popular television shows including “Angel,” “Babylon 5,” “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “The X Files.” Later on in his career, mostly in the late 2000’s and 2010’s, he worked as a production manager and producer.

With three Primetime Emmy Awards to his resume, credits in some of the best movies to ever come out of the genre, a ravenous fan-base and a down to earth personality, the loss of John Vulich will be felt by all. He was truly legendary, a one of a kind, and he will be missed by many. All of us here at HorrorSociety.com send our condolences to his family, friends and fans. How sad!

R.I.P. John Vulich

October 10, 1961 – October 12, 2016