Jerry Moss

Moss, Jerry
Jerry Moss, who brought life to dozens of blockbuster movies including "Limony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events," "Minority Report," Amistad" and "The Lost World, Jurassic Park," during his three-decade career as a prop master, has died. He was 49. Moss, of Westlake Village, died Wednesday at Encino-Tarzana Regional Medical Center, following an eight-month battle with lung cancer. His illness forced his mid-production withdrawal from the filming of "Pirates of the Caribbean II and III, said Gregg Bilson, president of Independent Studio Services, the largest prop company in the country. Working in tandem with many top directors, art and set designers, Moss created the mood and provided the creative touches to more than 40 movies during his distinguished career. "Whether it was the head of the studio or the head ditch-digger, everyone considered himself Jerry's best friend," said Bilson. Moss was a critical component of every movie he worked on, he added. Film-making also provided an ideal canvas for Moss' sharp wit as he quickly grasped a director's vision for whatever project he was on, Bilson said. Moss conceived of using a petrified mosquito encased in an amber-like plastic for "Jurassic Park." In "Jaws," he created a device that propelled the giant shark figure through the sea, with only it's menacing fin protruding the surface. He once created a stove upon which he and his crew cooked five-foot wide pancakes that were transformed into a huge, multi-tiered birthday cake in the John Williams hit, "Uncle Buck," staring the late John Candy, according to industry officials. Film credits include: "Hulk," "AI: Artificial Intelligence," "An Officer and a Gentleman," "Bugsy," and "Mars Attacks," among dozens of others, industry officials said. Born in Chicago, Illinois, the youngest of five children, Moss moved with his family to California in he early 1960s. He grew up in Glendale then moved to Eagle Rock, where he attended grammar and high school He began his career as a part-time set painter while he attended college in pursuit of a marine biology degree. With a life-long love of the sea, Moss also was an accomplished dive master and surfer. He also was an accomplished guitarist and played on an amateur ice hockey team, family members said. He purchased his first home at age 22 soon after he postponed his college education to launch his own prop company, they added. The divorced father of three children, Moss loved the outdoors and spending time with family, friends and his fiance, Julie Gilchrist, of Westlake Village. "It was a privilege to have known and loved him," she said. Predeceased by his parents and one brother, Moss is survived by his daughter, Monica, and son, Michael, both of Westlake Village; and a son, Austin, of Calabasas. He also leaves his sister, Donna Janes, and brother, the Hon. Robert Moss, both of Newport Beach; and brother, John Moss, of Escondido. A memorial service is to be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 30, at Pierce Brothers Griffin Mortuary, 101 E. Wilbur Road, Thousand Oaks. Moss' family suggests that memorial donations in lieu of flowers be sent to the American Cancer Society, The Surfrider Foundation-Malibu Chapter or Heal the Bay.