Ladies Man, Makeup Artist John O’Gorman…..Day 127 of Bond 365

Makeup artistry is truly an art form. One has to understand the techniques and tricks to bring out the very best (or worst) in the person for the part they inhabit. I had some photographs taken in which I was made up with a retro 1950s style. Afterwards, I almost did not recognize myself when I looked in the mirror! Today's spotlight is John O'Gorman, who had a prolific career and was such an expert at his artistry that actresses requested and stipulated he be the makeup artist. A true testament to his abilities. 

John O’Gorman

Born this day in 1911

Makeup Artist for Dr. No, Casino Royale (1967)

Englishman John O’Gorman got his start as a makeup artist in the film Mine Own Executioner in 1947. He worked as a makeup artist right up to his death in 1977, with 69 credits to his name. 

In the makeup chair, O'Gorman applies lipstick to Andress on the set of Dr. No

I found a Bulletin forum (there are some photos on the forum, by the way) for O'Gorman in which it was revealed that he was a favorite for Ursula Andress, having worked together on three of her films – Dr. No (1962), She (1965) and Casino Royale (1967). Apparently, working in Jamaica had its changes in the first Bond film. O’Gorman had to be at the ready to touch up Andress makeup between shots because her makeup would quickly run due to the tropical heat. 

In additional to Andress, he worked with Brigitte Bardot on Boulevard du rhum (1971) and with Ingrid Bergman, who supposedly stipulated that O’Gorman be her makeup artist for The Yellow Rolls Royce (1964) and actually all of her UK made films. And, he worked with the beautiful Audrey Hepburn in Charade (1963).

Raquel Welch made mention of O’Gorman in her book, Beyond the Cleavage, when discussing makeup artists. “One of my favorites was the late British makeup genius John O’Gorman. He really refined my look from ‘done’ into natural beauty for the movie Hannie Caulder. For women in film, there was none better…” (p. 136).

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