In all my years of friendship wish Leonard Engelman, one word always comes to mind — Elevate.
Some of us are fortunate in this life to have people enter and change your trajectory. Leonard was that person in my career. Len was a second-generation makeup artist. His father Leonard Engelman was also a makeup artist who died when Len Jr. was 11 years old. When he was old enough, Leonard began working at Universal Studios and was recruited into the apprenticeship program to begin his training. He had a remarkable career and was an outstanding talent with skills that kept him in demand for decades. Even with a brush in his teeth, applying sweat and blood, or crafting the most glamorous beauty makeup designs, Leonard always had an air of elegance — of being a higher echelon.
Even when he was kicking the hornets nest as an industry leader, somehow he always managed to find a common ground where all sides could contribute so that even the losing side felt they had enriched the situation.
Mediocrity was never good enough for Leonard, especially when it came to the craft of makeup. When he was Business Representative of IATSE Local 706 he sometimes conflicted with the fundamentals of the organization because he felt the artists needed to increase their skills and be held to a higher standard.
He could foresee the future of filmmaking and how artists all over the US and the world were quickly catching up to Hollywood and were becoming more competitive. He never wanted Hollywood to lose jobs because of complacency. So, he improved the education offerings so that all union members would benefit from trading their knowledge with each other, and as has always been the tradition — at no charge.
He expanded educational opportunities even further by partnering with Cinema Makeup School, sharing his vast array of talents with students learning the craft. In that role he reached out friends and colleagues to become guest instructors and provided the best-of-the-best education to prepare them for a career in film and television.
As a Governor in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Leonard once again reached out to young filmmakers to provide insight about the craft. The Gold Rising program provided new pathways to communicate the importance of our artisans to young talent from all over the world. Leonard leaves an incredible legacy of shining the light on the talented artisans, always elevating, always reaching for new levels.
It would be impossible to list the number of artists who credit him for helping support their dreams and aspirations. There would be a line outside and down the block.
Working together and envisioning a better union with higher standards, Leonard and I developed a wonderful collaborative relationship with like-mindedness. So, when union elections came around Leonard got a twinkle in his eye and we discussed the possibility of me running for President. When I won it would be the next step in achieving our goal of an elevated union. We were now moving from 1960s into the 21st century. We worked wonderfully as a team. New ideas were initiated and the beauty of the team was that we could work independently as well. And at the end of a good day (or maybe a rough one) we would sit and trade stories and strategize the next move to improve the image of the Local.
We wanted our members to be proud to be part of the Make-up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild. He felt that even adding the term “Guild” to our name gave a better resonance, a collection of artists crafts rather than one mass. He loved pushing me out of the nest, allowing me to spread my wings and fly. Always elevating. Even when we were lobbying LA City Council to support the CA Film and TV Tax Incentives, Leonard was always there, encouraging me to speak and get the attention of our local legislators.
He led the way with the Motion Picture Academy, not only as the first Governor and Vice President of our branch, but he also achieved equality of recognition for hair stylists. He created the Oscars Symposium which grew to become one of the Academy’s most popular events. When we resurrected the Make-up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild Awards, Leonard was the first person I enlisted to work with me as Chairman of the Rules and Regulations Committee. He stayed for 10 years, constantly revising and refining. Always supporting, his mind was constantly racing to go that extra mile.
It’s really going to be strange not to have Len call and sing Happy Birthday to me this year. My guide, my mentor, my pot-stirring co-conspirator, and above all, my friend. I’m truly not alone. Leonard Engelman leaves a true legacy in our industry. I think I’m going to make myself a t-shirt that says “What Would Leonard Do?”
Words Sue Cabral Ebert
Portrait Deverill Weekes