Michael C. Gross

Michael C. Gross
Gross, September 17, 2014
Born (1945-10-03)October 3, 1945
Newburgh, New York, U.S.
Died November 16, 2015(2015-11-16) (aged 70)
Oceanside, California, U.S.
Nationality American
Known for film producer, artist, graphic designer
Notable work Ghostbusters
Website http://www.michaelcgross.com/

Michael C. Gross (October 3, 1945 – November 16, 2015) was an American artist, designer, and film producer. From 1970 to 1974 he art-directed National Lampoon magazine, and subsequently co-ran a design company.

In 1980 he started working in Hollywood, and is perhaps best remembered for designing the logo for the movie Ghostbusters, which was one of 11 films on which he served as producer or executive producer.

The 1960s

Gross was a designer for the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City, and he art-directed EYE magazine.

National Lampoon magazine

Gross was the art director of National Lampoon magazine. He was hired in 1970, and his work first appeared in the eighth issue of the magazine, the "Nostalgia" issue, which was published in November 1970.

His most famous National Lampoon piece was the cover for the January 1973 "Death" issue. He created "If You Don't Buy This Magazine, We'll Kill This Dog" (for an image of this cover, see the National Lampoon article).[1][2][3]

Design company

Gross left National Lampoon in 1974, and formed Pellegrini, Kaestle, & Gross, Inc. He became the personal designer for John Lennon, as well as being a consultant to the Muppets. In the late 1970s he art directed Esquire magazine and was also design director for Mobil Oil.

Movie work

In 1980, Gross moved to California, where he worked as producer or an executive producer on 11 films, including Heavy Metal, Ghostbusters (he designed the "no ghosts" logo which can be seen in the Ghostbusters article, and was surprised to see it so popular that it was painted on the nose of a B-52 bomber[4]), Ghostbusters II, Twins, Beethoven, Legal Eagles, Kindergarten Cop and Dave. He was also the producer for 5 television shows, including The Real Ghostbusters and Beethoven.

After 1995

In 1995 Gross left Hollywood. He went back to painting, one of his first interests, and moved to Italy. He lived in Oceanside, California. He was a painter, photographer and museum curator, who taught and lectured.

Family

Gross died on November 16, 2015 in Oceanside, California from cancer at the age of 70.[5] Gross is survived by his son, Director of Photography Dylan Goss,[6] daughter Gina, and grandchildren Luke, Oliver and Lou-Andrea.

References

  1. ↑ "American Society of Magazine Editors Unveils Top 40 Magazine Covers of the Last 40 Years; Rolling Stone, Esquire and The New Yorker Garner Top Honors in ASME's Magazine 40/40 Competition". Business Wire. October 17, 2005. Retrieved November 19, 2015.
  2. ↑ "ASME's Top 40 Magazine Covers of the Last 40 Years". American Society of Magazine Editors. October 17, 2005. Retrieved November 19, 2015.
  3. ↑ "National Lampoon Issue No. 34 – Death". January 1973. Archived from the original on July 20, 2008. Retrieved July 24, 2008.
  4. ↑ editor, Nick Serpell Obituary. "Been and Gone: The woman who created ET". BBC News. Retrieved 2016-01-19.
  5. ↑ Michael Gross, who created 'Ghostbusters' logo, dies at 70
  6. ↑ Dylan Goss IMDb entry
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