Mel Berns

Mel Berns

Mel BerneMel BurnesMel Burns

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-Up
Born 27 Sep 1897
Died 7 May 1977
Place of birth Chicago, Illinois, USA

Known for

Top Hat
1935
1

Crew: Makeup Artist

Out of the Past

Crew: Makeup Department Head

Carefree
1938
1

Crew: Makeup Artist