Walter Schneiderman is a celebrated make-up artist to Hollywood stars such as Bette Davis, Barbra Streisand, Ingrid Bergman, Gregory Peck, Sophia Loren, Clark Gable, Raquel Welch, Robert De Niro, Kirk Douglas and Denzel Washington, has worked worldwide with leading directors and cinematographers on some of the greatest films made, achieving international recognition for his work including Cry Freedom , Elephant Man, Chaplin, Labyrinth, Yentl, Fiddler on the Roof, The Dirty Dozen, 633 Squadron, The Guns of Navarone.
Walter was born in 1922. Father died in 1933, clothes cutter and designer. Mother a tailoress. Started in hairdressing aged 15. Elementary school, left at 14
He was in the RAF as a ground gunner during the war.
Started in film industry in 1947. Recruited through the hairdressers academy. Started an informal apprenticeship at Shepperton Studios for 2 years on £15 per week in make-up department. Worked on films until 1952 then moved into TV on Robin Hood (first ITV serial) Then back into film in 1960 until Chaplin in 1992. Worked continually on 2-3 films per year throughout 60s and 70s.
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Member of NATKE. Chair of make-up section for two years.
The studios he worked in included Shepperton , Denham, Pinewood ,Walton on Thames, MGM British Elstree ,ABPC Elstree