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Greg Jein Obituary
Jein earned Oscar nominations for his work on Steven Spielberg's CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND, building the iconic Mothership that rises above Devil's Tower, currently housed in the Smithsonian's Stephen F. Hazy Center. A second Visual Effects Oscar nomination was for Mr. Spielberg's 1941. Greg was also Emmy nominated for his work in Television, including STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE and ANGELS IN AMERICA.
For over three decades, Greg built and supervised the building of models and miniatures for Industrial Light and Magic, Boss Film, Walt Disney Imagineering and many other production houses, in addition to taking assignments from defense contractors such as Lockheed and Hughes Aircraft.
Jein was a member of the Academy of Motion Pictures and Sciences, serving on the Visual Effects Steering Committee, as well as a participant in the Visiting Artists Program. He was a member of the Art Director's Guild as a set design model maker.
The LA native spent most of his life in the Crenshaw district, maintaining lifelong friendships with fellow students from Audubon Junior High and Dorsey High School. He was an Alumni of Cal State Los Angeles.
He leaves cousins Eleanor Chu, Cheryl Connolly, Jerry Chang, Vivian Lee, Laura D'Arciprete, Janice Manus and their respective families. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Annie Jein.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Greg Jein
4 Entries
Gary Cannavo
July 4, 2024
Will always be missed, was one of the greats and more important, one of the nicest, kindest gentlemen I have to honor to call my friend......
Dana Augustine
October 31, 2022
I am truly saddened and sorry to hear about Greg Jein's passing. He was a funny, talented and a giving guy. I first met Greg in 1973 when I was 15 at a Star Trek Convention in L.A. where he was exhibiting one of his 'DOMES' from my all-time favorite film, (and the reason I became a screenwriter and director) of Douglas Trumbull's 'SILENT RUNNING.' (1971)
Greg and I had a long yak about the creation of the shooting prop, 'THE U.S.S. VALLEY FORGE' and to my eternal blessing about a week later -- Greg sent me two of the tiny greeblies that had fallen off the original 25-foot model that had been stored in Doug Trumbull's garage post-film.
In 1981, I was 22 ... Greg kindly invited me down from San Francisco to the efx stage (the old original Star Trek's HOWARD ANDERSON COMPANY) for Francis Coppola's 'ONE FROM THE HEART' ...
I got to watch for several hours many of his models and moving backgrounds for the background plates for some desert car shots. He then invited me to a great lunch with the filming model crew at some burger joint nearby.
Greg Jein made a difference to many ... and to this day, myself at 64 ... still does. Rest easy, good Greg. It was a pleasure and an honor to even slightly know you ever so long ago.
D.A.
Gary Cannavo
October 27, 2022
Greg, I know your with the angles in heaven building amazing things for all. You will be sorely missed my dear friend. It was an honor knowing you for all these years! May you rest brave soul....
Maria McConnell
August 1, 2022
It was an honor to know Greg Jein. He was a true friend, a man of great integrity and talent. I met him at the Lockheed Burbank set for the movie "1941". I was on staff with Columbia Pictures. We remained friends through the years. I consider the day I met him as one of the most fortunate days of my life. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him and loved him.
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