Mark Williams; Film Effects Expert

Mark Williams, a special effects artist and actor who helped create characters for such films as “Aliens” and “The Fly,” has died. He was 38.

Williams, who last appeared in “The Borrowers,” died May 27 at Kaiser Hospital in Panorama City of respiratory failure. He had been diagnosed with cancer in April and recently suffered pneumonia.

Growing up in San Jose, Williams immersed himself in science fiction, fantasy and rock music. That led him to a career as an artist for role-playing game systems, films and rock bands.

In addition to “Aliens” and “The Fly,” he worked as makeup effects artist on “The Abyss,” “Island of the Alive” and “Terminator 2--Judgment Day.”

As an actor, he had small roles in “Terminator 2,” “Return to Salem’s Lot” and last year as the exterminator in the family film “The Borrowers.”

In 1987, Williams set up his own creature shop, where he contributed effects for some 60 films. He also wrote two children’s films, “Little Lost Sea Serpent” and “Baby Ghost.”

Williams was effects design coordinator for such rock bands as Alice Cooper, Dangerous Toys and Poison, and co-founded No Mercy Comics, which published comic books.

He was recently named head of special effects for Full Moon Pictures.

Williams was the only child of his surviving parents, Bill and Jeanne Williams of San Jose.