Skip to main content

Acclaimed Alien artist H.R. Giger dead at age 74

Celebrated surrealist artist H.R. Giger died this week at age 74.

The Swiss artist is best known for creating a variety of works that explored the relationship between the human body and machines — a unique style that was called upon to create the sets and iconic alien creatures of Ridley Scott’s 1979 sci-fi horror film Alien, for which Giger was awarded the Oscar for “Best Achievement in Visual Effects.” His impressive designs for various sets and characters from Frank Herbert’s novel Dune were also featured in the recent documentary Jodorowsky’s Dune, about a director’s failed attempt at adapting Herbert’s novel in the ’70s.

Recommended Videos

According to Reuters, Giger  died on Monday after sustaining injuries in a fall. His death was confirmed by representatives of his museum in Switzerland, which is run by his second wife, Carmen Maria Scheifele Giger. 

Giger was renowned for creating nightmarish visions of people and creatures fused with machinery, and nightmarish landscapes that blurred the line between industrial creation and living, breathing subjects. In addition to his work on canvas and in film, Giger was also an accomplished sculptor.

“My paintings seem to make the strongest impression on people who are, well, who are crazy,” said Giger in a 1979 interview with Starlog magazine. “A good many people think as I do. If they like my work they are creative… or they are crazy.”

Don’t believe him? Check out this interview from 2011:

Rick Marshall
Former Contributing Editor, Entertainment
A veteran journalist with more than two decades of experience covering local and national news, arts and entertainment, and…
Topics
3 underrated movies on Hulu you need to watch in June 2025
The cast of Predators.

The Predator franchise gains another entry this month on Hulu. Predator: Killer of Killers is a new adult animated anthology from Prey director Dan Trachtenberg. Killer of Killers explores the lives of three warriors — a Viking raider, a Japanese ninja, and a World War II pilot — and their battles against a Predator. The critically acclaimed movie is now streaming.

Speaking of the Predator franchise, one of our picks for underrated movies to watch this month is Predators, which stars two-time Oscar winner Adrien Brody. Check out Predators and two more underrated movies on Hulu.

Read more
3 great Max crime dramas you should watch in June 2025
Robert De Niro stands under casino lights in Casino.

Max, HBO Max, whatever it's called. Warner Bros. Discovery's streaming service remains one of the best places to go if you're looking for a movie. The streaming service has never fully figured out how to make sure that its subscribers can actually see everything available there, though, which is why we've pulled together a list of three great crime movies that you can watch now.

Whatever flavor of crime movie you're looking for, you should be able to find it on this list. Check them out below:

Read more
3 action movies on Netflix you need to watch in June 2025
Four men sit down against a fence and stare.

What's populating the action genre on Netflix? Sicario: Day of the Soldado, the sequel to Denis Villeneuve's Sicario, is being featured on the action homepage. While not as effective as its predecessor, Day of the Soldado features another terrific performance from Benicio del Toro as Alejandro Gillick. 

Add Soldado to your Netflix queue this month. But first, stream one of our three recommendations below. Our picks include a crime thriller from one of Boston's most famous figures, a feature film adaptation of an espionage TV show, and a Mount Rushmore buddy comedy. 

Read more