Mel Berns
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Mel Berns (September 27, 1897 - May 7, 1977) was an American make-up artist. He was the Head of Makeup at RKO Pictures for more than twenty years. Berns began his career in the entertainment industry while working as an agent at the William Morris Agency. Later he became the Head of Makeup at RKO Pictures for more than twenty years, creating the makeup for Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers and Katharine Hepburn's screentest. He was a lifelong friend of Ginger Rogers, who makes ample reference to their friendship in her autobiography: Ginger: My Story. He worked extensively in television after leaving RKO, notably the Perry Mason series. "The crew is giving it the best of Hollywood's techniques," Burr told columnist Erskine Johnson. The crew included veteran make-up artist Berns. The baseball player Babe Ruth had severe scarring from acne on his face. Mel Berns developed makeup for Ruth so that Ruth could feel more comfortable in public. A picture of Ruth and Berns shows Ruth in a smock and Berns applying makeup to his face. The picture is autographed to Berns by Babe Ruth.
Known for
Costume & Make-UpBirthday
September 27, 1897Deathday
May 7, 1977Gender
MaleKnown Movie Credits
202Place of birth
Chicago, Illinois, USAAlso known as
Mel Berne, Mel Burns, Mel BurnesCrew credits
Notorious
Makeup ArtistBringing Up Baby
Makeup ArtistHeartbeat
Makeup ArtistTender Comrade
Makeup ArtistNone But the Lonely Heart
Makeup ArtistDays of Glory
Makeup ArtistGildersleeve's Ghost
Makeup ArtistSeven Days Ashore
Makeup ArtistA Night of Adventure
Makeup ArtistMusic in Manhattan
Makeup ArtistFlying Down to Rio
Makeup ArtistTop Hat
Makeup ArtistSwing Time
Makeup ArtistA Bullet for Joey
Makeup ArtistDevil's Canyon
Makeup ArtistSplit Second
Makeup ArtistOne Minute to Zero
Makeup ArtistAt Sword's Point
Makeup ArtistThe Racket
Makeup ArtistStar of Midnight
Makeup ArtistStage Door
Makeup Artist