Ken Diaz

Biography

Ken Diaz is a veteran American makeup artist and special effects designer with a career spanning nearly five decades. Renowned for his versatility—ranging from hyper-realistic aging and tattoo design to creature effects—he was a key figure in the "golden age" of practical effects, notably serving as the special makeup effects coordinator for John Carpenter's "The Thing" (1982). In January 2026, Diaz received his third Academy Award nomination for Best Makeup and Hairstyling for his work on Ryan Coogler's "Sinners" (2025). This nomination marks a historic return to the Oscars for Diaz, coming 30 years after his last nod. Working alongside Mike Fontaine and Shunika Terry, Diaz was responsible for the film's gritty, period-authentic look and the terrifying supernatural prosthetic effects required for the 1930s Jim Crow-era horror. Prior to this resurgence, Diaz was a two-time Oscar nominee for the aging effects in "Dad" (1989) and the multi-generational transformations in "My Family" (1995). He is also a celebrated figure in television, having won Emmy Awards for his work on "Westworld", "Star Trek: The Next Generation", and "Alien Nation". Beyond prosthetics, Diaz is Hollywood's go-to expert for on-screen tattoo design. He created the iconic ink seen in "Training Day", "Red Dragon", and the Wakandan head tattoos for "Black Panther" and "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever". He is also a dedicated mentor, frequently working with at-risk youth programs when not on set.