Owensboro native and Hollywood-renowned special effects makeup artist Dave Snyder visited the Daviess County Public Library as a featured speaker this week. Snyder’s work transcends Hollywood, but the alien characters he helped create for the 2009 Star Trek film were on display Thursday.
Owensboro mayor Tom Watson presented Snyder with a key to the city before the event.
“It was a great honor, especially since my father also received a key to the city,” Snyder said. “I want to thank the mayor who took time from his busy schedule to visit me personally.”
The event began with Snyder screening the film, followed by a question-and-answer forum with the audience.
Snyder was born and raised in Owensboro, spending his early adult years at Brescia University and in Lexington studying dental laboratory technology before deciding to venture to Los Angeles. Fascinated by movie monsters as a child and motivated to pursue a career in the industry, he left for Hollywood in 1992.
“It’s always good to come home and see friends and family,” he said. “This is a different and unique opportunity I’ve been given, and I love being able to share the ‘behind the scenes’ of the industry.”
Snyder has worked on low-budget features, television projects, and full-scale Hollywood feature productions. Some of his more notable features include The Walking Dead, Star Trek, Dancing with the Stars, Austin Powers, and more.
In 2022, Dave Snyder was awarded an Emmy for outstanding makeup for the miniseries “Pam and Tommy.” The same year, he received three Guild Award nominations, with another win for “Pam and Tommy.”
Snyder was among the last artists to construct Leonard Nimoy’s ears as Spock. He’s also produced makeup designs for Johnny Depp in Pirates of the Caribbean, Jackie Chan, and many more celebrities.
Snyder aspires to return to Owensboro next year to screen the Star Trek film.
