Veteran ILM VFX Producer Jeff Olson Dies at 77

Jeff Olson, a veteran modelmaker and visual effects producer whose career spanned landmark films including "Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace" and "Who Framed Roger Rabbit," has died. He was 77. His death was confirmed by Industrial Light & Magic, where he worked for nearly 25 years.

Olson passed away on Sunday, June 21, according to multiple reports. The cause of death has not been disclosed.

ILM announced his passing in a social media tribute, stating the community was "heartbroken to lose our dear friend and former colleague." The post highlighted his commitment to his teams, noting his career "spanned momentous change in the art form and industry, and no matter the techniques employed on a given show, Jeff was always committed to the team, leading his crews with humor and kindness."

Olson joined ILM in 1985 and worked there until 2009, contributing to a wide array of projects in various roles. His early work as a modelmaker included films such as "Willow," "Ghostbusters II," "Back to the Future Part III," and "Die Hard 2." He was instrumental in the groundbreaking visual effects for Robert Zemeckis's "Who Framed Roger Rabbit," a pioneering live-action and animation hybrid.