Leonard Engelman

It is with the heaviest of hearts that I share with you that we have lost the legendary Leonard A Engelman Jr. Husband, father, grandfather, friend, makeup artist, mentor to many and extraordinary at all.

Leonard was born to Leonard Engelman Sr. and Vina Engelman in Burbank, CA where he grew up, went to school, and trained to be a makeup artist in his father’s footsteps.

He started off as an apprentice at Universal Studios and became a member of Local 706 in 1963. Leonard was the youngest makeup artist to be nominated for an Emmy for “Night Gallery” and went on to have an epic career working with some of the top actors on some great films!

Leonard served on the Local 706 Executive Board for 3 separate terms and was elected Business Representative from 2001-2003. He was the first Governor of the Academy of Motion Pictures and Sciences Branch for the Makeup and Hairstyling that he created and served as Vice President of the Academy of Motion Pictures and Sciences. He also created the Makeup and Hairstyling Symposium held before the Oscars each year.

Throughout his life and career, the most important things to Leonard were education for the next generations of Makeup Artists and Hairstylists. He always elevated our craft and profession. He was Director of Education at Cinema Makeup School where he mentored hundreds of up-and-coming Makeup Artists. He was recognized for many of his accomplishments with 2 MUAHS Awards for his Makeup Artistry as well as a MUAHS Lifetime Achievement Award.

Leonard was thoughtful, loving, and generous in everything he did. He brought his passion, talent, good sense as well as sense of humor and dry wit to every project he worked on and with everyone he encountered right up until his last days.

Leonard was dedicated to his wife and family. Leonard is survived by his wife, Esther Engelman, his kids, Steven Engelman and Kim Engelman, step kids, Anna Lipton and Local 706 Makeup Artist Jennifer Zide-Essex, grandkids, Alex Engelman, Adam Engelman, Charlie Santoyo, Colette Lipton, Laura Lipton and Brett Lipton.