Early Life and Family Background
Canadian-born Ann Rachel Belsky Moranis was born February 5, 1956. She was gifted in visual arts and fascinated by colour, texture, and form from childhood. Her creative brothers and cousins encouraged experimental art projects, setting the groundwork for her profession. She began designing costumes for amateur theatre shows at age 12, indicating her future in design.
| Year | Age | Milestone |
|---|---|---|
| 1956 | 0 | Born in Canada on February 5 |
| 1968 | 12 | First costume sketches for local theater |
| 1974 | 18 | Graduated high school; enrolled in design institute |
She earned a 1978 diploma in theatrical makeup and costume design from a top Canadian arts school. She learnt prosthetics, colour matching, and fabric sourcing from interning on regional theatre performances. She had around 20 show designs in her portfolio when she graduated aged 22.
Breakthrough into Broadway
At 27, Ann Belsky debuted on Broadway as K2’s cosmetics designer in 1983. Her creative approach to ageing characters and realistic wound effects made her debut in New York theatre notable.
| Production | Role | Opening Year | Run Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| K2 | Makeup Designer | 1983 | 144 performances |
| Death of a Salesman | Makeup Designer | 1984 | 742 performances |
| Singin’ in the Rain | Makeup & Costume | 1985 | 367 performances |
| Big River | Makeup & Costume | 1985 | 1,005 performances |
- 1983 – K2: Acclaimed for aged, windburned facial characteristics.
- 1984 – Death of a Salesman: Created lifelike period makeup with Tony Award–winning set designers, contributing to 7 Tony nominations.
- From 1985 to 1986, she designed 120 character costumes for Singin’ in the Rain.
- Big River: Designed makeup for 25 actors in 1,005 performances, 1985–1987.
Ann worked on over 4 big productions and 1,500 performances on Broadway during 5 seasons. Her precise period-accurate haircuts and outfit distressing inspired Broadway designers.
Television and Film Makeup Design
Beginning in 1982, Ann entered television and movies with her theatre achievements. She was versatile in stage and television.
| Project | Medium | Year | Notable Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Late Night with David Letterman | Television | 1982 | Weekly character makeup segments (45 eps) |
| Star Wars: Ewoks | TV Film | 1985 | Alien prosthetics and creature detailing |
| Death of a Salesman (TV Movie) | Film | 1985 | Adaptation makeup for televised format |
- On Late Night with David Letterman in 1982, created 45 weekly comic character makeups using quick-change techniques.
- 1985 – Star Wars: Ewoks: Created multi-layered alien prosthetics for a $20 million project.
- 1985 – Death of a Salesman (TV Movie): Transitioned Broadway makeup ideas to television, keeping visual coherence.
She appeared in almost 50 films and episodes, typically working 12–18 hours each day. She set the standard for mid-1980s television monster design with Star Wars: Ewoks.
Personal Life and Rick Moranis Marriage
Ann Belsky married Rick Moranis in a private Toronto ceremony on July 27, 1986. He was 32 and she was 30. The relationship brought together two top creatives.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| July 27, 1986 | Marriage to Rick Moranis in Toronto, Canada |
| February 1987 | Birth of first child (son) |
| August 1989 | Birth of second child (daughter) |
- 1987 – First Child: Ann switched to part-time design when their son was born in February.
- 1989 – Second Child: Ann balanced family and profession with a hybrid freelance schedule after their daughter was born in August.
The pair lived in Manhattan and Toronto for five years, with Ann commuting weekly to Broadway. Her 1990 design endeavours were limited to three as she focused on family.
Final Years and Passing
Ann Belsky, 34, died of breast cancer in Manhattan one day before her 35th birthday on February 4, 1991. A 1991 revival of a famous musical was completed posthumously by her design team from her final ideas.
| Year | Age | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 34 | Completed 3 freelance design projects |
| Feb 4, 1991 | 34 | Passed away in Manhattan |
| 1991 | 35* | Scheduled revival project postponed |
On February 5, 1991, would have been 35.
Broadway tributes poured in after her death. Within two weeks, Big River cast members performed in her honour, raising $15,000 for breast cancer research.
Legacy and Posthumous Recognition
Though her career was limited, Ann Belsky’s methods and costume files continue to impact theatre design. She is remembered in industry for:
- Innovated silicone prostheses for live theatre, accepted by major costume houses.
- Educational Impact: Mentored around 200 students at design institutes from 1987–1990.
- Charity Memorials: The 1992 “Ann Belsky Scholarship in Theatrical Design” gives aspiring designers $10,000 annually.
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Scholarship Established | 1992 |
| Annual Award Amount | $10,000 |
| Lectures & Workshops | 1987–1990 (North America, UK) |
| Archival Collections | IBDB Costume Archives; New York Public Library |
Posthumous scholarship recipients have won Tony Awards for design, citing her work as an inspiration. Her Broadway costumes are on display in New York and Toronto museums so future generations can learn about her work.
FAQ
Who was Ann Belsky?
Canadian makeup and costume artist Ann Belsky was famous for her 1983–1990 Broadway work.
Which Broadway shows did she work on?
She designed cosmetics and costumes for K2, Death of a Salesman, Singin’ in the Rain, and Big River.
When did she marry Rick Moranis?
On July 27, 1986, in Toronto, Ann Belsky married actor Rick Moranis.
How many children did Ann Belsky have?
Her son and daughter were born in February 1987 and August 1989, respectively.
When did Ann Belsky pass away?
Ann Belsky, 34, died in Manhattan on February 4, 1991.
What legacy did she leave behind?
Pioneering theatrical makeup techniques, the Ann Belsky Scholarship in Theatrical Design, and influential costume and makeup files are her legacy.
