The Oscar-nominated artist and frequent Tim Burton and Henry Selick collaborator died September 12 after suffering complications due to aphasia and primary progressive aphasia.
Pete Kozachik, Oscar-nominated VFX artist and frequent collaborator of Tim Burton and Henry Selick, passed away September 12 after suffering complications due to aphasia and primary progressive aphasia, according to Deadline. He was 72 years old.
Kozachik was known for his work as visual effects supervisor and director of photography on the cult classic The Nightmare Before Christmas, for which he received his Oscar nom, as well as Corpse Bride, James and the Giant Peach, Coraline, Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, The Matrix. and many others.
The creative began working with animation in his childhood backyard and launched his career with the 1984 Dennis Quaid film Dreamscape. He then acted as VFX camera operator on Howard the Duck in 1986, also contributing his talents to Willow, Ghostbusters II, and RoboCop3 through the 1990s. Other credits include Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones (2002), Monkeybone (2001) and Starship Troopers (1997).
Kozachik is survived by his brother Steve, vice mayor and city councilman of Tucson, Arizona, as well as his wife Katy Moore-Kozachik.
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