Gene, born into a family deeply rooted in the motion picture industry, was destined to follow in their footsteps. His mother, an actress, and father, a producer/director, instilled in him a passion for the craft from a young age.
During his early school years, Gene worked on television shows produced or directed by his father, honing his skills as an actor or extra. He further developed his craft by attending beauty college, where he earned honors in make-up and hair design.
Gene's journey took an unexpected turn when he joined the U.S. Navy, where he served as a medic/communications worker on the U.S.S. Enterprise. After completing his active duty, he was accepted into the UDT-SEAL program in San Diego and spent six years in Southeast Asia.
Upon his return to civilian life, Gene entered the Universal City Studios Make-up Apprenticeship Program under the guidance of Bud Westmore and Tom Gigante. He also worked at the Max Factor Make-up studios in Hollywood on weekends for almost three years.
Gene received his first assignment at Universal in 1971 and has been working in the make-up industry ever since. In 1973, he relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, to head the Make-up Department of a local production company, where he has spent the last 23 years creating, shooting, and developing productions in the state.
Drawing upon his experience in the Navy, Gene has served as a technical advisor on films such as VietNam War Story, The Abyss, Flight of the Intruder, and U.S. Navy SEALs.
After over 30 years of working as a make-up artist, Gene created a course of study focused on prosthetic make-up molding, casting, and application for the motion picture industry, as well as its medical applications in cancer research and restorative make-up.
As an advisor and consultant to the American Cancer Research Council and the American Cancer Society, Gene has dedicated over 13 years to the medical field, actively participating in the design and development of prosthetic devices for CVA victims.
