Heather Wixson Remembers “Screaming Mad” George
The horror world was rocked with sadness yesterday when it was learned that F/X maestro “Screaming Mad” George (aka Joji Tani) died earlier this year in February 2026. One of the most unique voices in horror effects, Screaming Mad George worked on numerous titles including SOCIETY, A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 4: THE DREAM MASTER, POLTERGEIST II: THE OTHER SIDE, BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA, THE GUYVER, FREAKED, and many many more. If you were grossed out but transfixed by some piece of F/X in the late ‘80s and ‘90s, chances are that Screaming Mad George was involved.
To honor this titan of the genre, Heather Wixson published her entire piece on Screaming Mad George from her incredible book, Monsters, Makeup & Effects: Conversations with Cinema's Greatest Artists (Vol 1).
The interview and profile of the prolific artist can be found via her newsletter (From The Desk Of The Horror Chick, to which you should subscribe and donate), but was made public for everyone to commemorate the loss of such an innovative person.
Be sure to go to this page to read this incredible overview and interview as tribute to this amazing force of creative nature.