One of the world's most influential visual effects maker, Ray Harryhausen, has died at the age of 92, his family has announced.
Los Angeles-born Harryhausen, who helped create monsters and other animated creatures for films including Jason and the Argonauts" and The Beast From 20,000 Fathoms in a career that lasted more than 40 years, died in London on Tuesday.
Ray Harryhausen worked on some of the greatest special effects films of the 1940s and 1950s
"The Harryhausen family regret to announce the death of Ray Harryhausen, visual effects pioneer and stop-motion model animator," the family said in a statement.
"Ray's influence on today's film makers was enormous, with luminaries; Steven Spielberg, James Cameron, Peter Jackson, George Lucas, John Landis and the UK's own Nick Park have cited Harryhausen as being the man whose work inspired their own creations."
Harryhausen had a hand in some of the greatest post-war special effects movies, including Mighty Joe Young in 1949, One Million Years BC in 1966 as well as three films based on Sinbad and Clash of the Titans.
One of his most famous animation sequences was the fight scene in Jason And The Argonauts involving seven skeletons who come to life. The sequence took him three months to film.
Peter Lord of Aardman Animations paid tribute to Harryhausen, describing him as "a one-man industry and a one-man genre" on Twitter, the BBC reported.
The animator left more than 20,000 objects from his collection to the National Media Museum in Bradford.
Ray Harryhausen, Movie Effects-Maker, Dies At Age Of 92
Ray Harryhausen Myths And Legends Exhibition(01 of29)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 29: An enlarged copy of Medusa from the 1981 film 'Clash Of The Titans' created by Ray Harryhausen is displayed at The Myths And Legends Exhibition at The London Film Museum on June 29, 2010 in London, England. Ray Harryhausen is considered the father of modern day special effects. In total Ray made sixteen landmark fantasy films including 'Jason And The Argonauts' (1963), 'One Million Years BC' (1966) and his last feature 'Clash Of The Titans' (1981). The exhibition includes original models and artwork and opens on June 29, 2010. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Ray Harryhausen Myths And Legends Exhibition(02 of29)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 29: Special effects creator Ray Harryhausen poses for photographs with an enlarged model of Medusa from his 1981 film 'Clash Of The Titans' at the The Myths And Legends Exhibition at The London Film Museum on June 29, 2010 in London, England. Ray Harryhausen is considered the father of modern day special effects. In total Ray made sixteen landmark fantasy films including 'Jason And The Argonauts' (1963), 'One Million Years BC' (1966) and his last feature 'Clash Of The Titans' (1981). The exhibition includes original models and artwork and opens on June 29, 2010. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Ray Harryhausen Myths And Legends Exhibition(03 of29)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 29: An enlarged copy of Medusa from the 1981 film 'Clash Of The Titans' created by Ray Harryhausen is displayed at The Myths And Legends Exhibition at The London Film Museum on June 29, 2010 in London, England. Ray Harryhausen is considered the father of modern day special effects. In total Ray made sixteen landmark fantasy films including 'Jason And The Argonauts' (1963), 'One Million Years BC' (1966) and his last feature 'Clash Of The Titans' (1981). The exhibition includes original models and artwork and opens on June 29, 2010. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Ray Harryhausen Myths And Legends Exhibition(04 of29)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 29: Special effects creator Ray Harryhausen poses for photographs with an enlarged model of Medusa from his 1981 film 'Clash Of The Titans' at the The Myths And Legends Exhibition at The London Film Museum on June 29, 2010 in London, England. Ray Harryhausen is considered the father of modern day special effects. In total Ray made sixteen landmark fantasy films including 'Jason And The Argonauts' (1963), 'One Million Years BC' (1966) and his last feature 'Clash Of The Titans' (1981). The exhibition includes original models and artwork and opens on June 29, 2010. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Ray Harryhausen Myths And Legends Exhibition(05 of29)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 29: Special effects creator Ray Harryhausen poses for photographs with an enlarged model of Medusa from his 1981 film 'Clash Of The Titans' at the The Myths And Legends Exhibition at The London Film Museum on June 29, 2010 in London, England. Ray Harryhausen is considered the father of modern day special effects. In total Ray made sixteen landmark fantasy films including 'Jason And The Argonauts' (1963), 'One Million Years BC' (1966) and his last feature 'Clash Of The Titans' (1981). The exhibition includes original models and artwork and opens on June 29, 2010. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Ray Harryhausen Myths And Legends Exhibition(06 of29)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 29: Special effects creator Ray Harryhausen poses for photographs with an enlarged model of Medusa from his 1981 film 'Clash Of The Titans' at the The Myths And Legends Exhibition at The London Film Museum on June 29, 2010 in London, England. Ray Harryhausen is considered the father of modern day special effects. In total Ray made sixteen landmark fantasy films including 'Jason And The Argonauts' (1963), 'One Million Years BC' (1966) and his last feature 'Clash Of The Titans' (1981). The exhibition includes original models and artwork and opens on June 29, 2010. (Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Press view of Myths and Legends exhibition(07 of29)
The original Medusa figure from the 1981 film Clash Of The Titans in a display case at the London Film Museum's Ray Harryhausen - Myths And Legends exhibition. (credit:PA)
Press view of Myths and Legends exhibition(08 of29)
An early Tyrannosaurus Rex model, which appeared in Evolution Of The World (c1938), and was discovered in a Los Angeles garage, features in the Ray Harryhausen - Myths And Legends exhibition, at the London Film Museum. (credit:PA)
Press view of Myths and Legends exhibition(09 of29)
An early Tyrannosaurus Rex model, which appeared in Evolution Of The World (c1938), and was discovered in a Los Angeles garage, features in the Ray Harryhausen - Myths And Legends exhibition, at the London Film Museum. (credit:PA)
Press view of Myths and Legends exhibition(10 of29)
Tony Dalton, curator of the Ray Harryhausen - Myths And Legends exhibition, places the original Medusa figure from the 1981 film Clash Of The Titans in a display case at the London Film Museum. (credit:PA)
Press view of Myths and Legends exhibition(11 of29)
An original maquette of King Kong on the Empire State Building made for animator Willis O'Brien for the 1933 film on display at the London Film Museum's Ray Harryhausen - Myths And Legends exhibition. (credit:PA)
Press view of Myths and Legends exhibition(12 of29)
One of the original seven skeletons which appeared in 1963 film Jason and the Argonauts, on display at the London Film Museum's Ray Harryhausen - Myths And Legends exhibition. (credit:PA)
Press view of Myths and Legends exhibition(13 of29)
A model of the Medusa figure from the 1981 film Clash Of The Titans stands at the entrance to the London Film Museum's Ray Harryhausen - Myths And Legends exhibition. (credit:PA)
Press view of Myths and Legends exhibition(14 of29)
The original 4" high model used as a body double for Raquel Welch in the 1966 film One Million Years BC, on display at the London Film Museum's Ray Harryhausen - Myths And Legends exhibition. (credit:PA)
Press view of Myths and Legends exhibition(15 of29)
An early Tyrannosaurus Rex model, which appeared in Evolution Of The World (c1938), and was discovered in a Los Angeles garage, features in the Ray Harryhausen - Myths And Legends exhibition, at the London Film Museum. (credit:PA)
Press view of Myths and Legends exhibition(16 of29)
An original maquette of King Kong on the Empire State Building made for animator Willis O'Brien for the 1933 film on display at the London Film Museum's Ray Harryhausen - Myths And Legends exhibition. (credit:PA)
Press view of Myths and Legends exhibition(17 of29)
An early Tyrannosaurus Rex model, appears with a selection of fairy tale figures in the Ray Harryhausen - Myths And Legends exhibition, at the London Film Museum. (credit:PA)
Press view of Myths and Legends exhibition(18 of29)
An early Tyrannosaurus Rex model, appears with a selection of fairy tale figures in the Ray Harryhausen - Myths And Legends exhibition, at the London Film Museum. (credit:PA)
Press view of Myths and Legends exhibition(19 of29)
One of the original seven skeletons which appeared in 1963 film Jason and the Argonauts, on display at the London Film Museum's Ray Harryhausen - Myths And Legends exhibition. (credit:PA)
AMPAS' Chuck Jones & Ray Harryhausen Exhibit Opening Reception(20 of29)
BEVERLY HILLS, CA - MAY 13: Models created by visual effects pioneer Ray Harryhausen from the 1963 movie 'Jason And The Argonauts' on display at The Academy Of Motion Picture Arts And Sciences Chuck Jones & Ray Harryhausen exhibit opening on May 13, 2010 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Toby Canham/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
AMPAS' Chuck Jones & Ray Harryhausen Exhibit Opening Reception(21 of29)
BEVERLY HILLS, CA - MAY 13: Models created by visual effects pioneer Ray Harryhausen from the 1963 movie 'Jason And The Argonauts' on display at The Academy Of Motion Picture Arts And Sciences Chuck Jones & Ray Harryhausen exhibit opening on May 13, 2010 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Toby Canham/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
AMPAS' Chuck Jones & Ray Harryhausen Exhibit Opening Reception(22 of29)
BEVERLY HILLS, CA - MAY 13: Models created by visual effects pioneer Ray Harryhausen from the 1963 movie 'Jason And The Argonauts' on display at The Academy Of Motion Picture Arts And Sciences Chuck Jones & Ray Harryhausen exhibit opening on May 13, 2010 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Toby Canham/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
AMPAS' Chuck Jones & Ray Harryhausen Exhibit Opening Reception(23 of29)
BEVERLY HILLS, CA - MAY 13: Models created by visual effects pioneer Ray Harryhausen from the 1963 movie 'Jason And The Argonauts' on display at The Academy Of Motion Picture Arts And Sciences Chuck Jones & Ray Harryhausen exhibit opening on May 13, 2010 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Toby Canham/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
AMPAS' Chuck Jones & Ray Harryhausen Exhibit Opening Reception(24 of29)
BEVERLY HILLS, CA - MAY 13: Models created by visual effects pioneer Ray Harryhausen from the 1963 movie 'Jason And The Argonauts' on display at The Academy Of Motion Picture Arts And Sciences Chuck Jones & Ray Harryhausen exhibit opening on May 13, 2010 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Toby Canham/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
AMPAS' Chuck Jones & Ray Harryhausen Exhibit Opening Reception(25 of29)
BEVERLY HILLS, CA - MAY 13: Models created by visual effects pioneer Ray Harryhausen from the 1963 movie 'Jason And The Argonauts' on display at The Academy Of Motion Picture Arts And Sciences Chuck Jones & Ray Harryhausen exhibit opening on May 13, 2010 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Toby Canham/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Jules Verne Adventure Film Festival - Inside(26 of29)
LOS ANGELES - OCTOBER 6: Jules Verne Adventure President Jean-Christophe Jeauffre (L) and director/actor/special effects master Ray Harryhausen appear onstage with the original King Kong model, without the rubber and rabbit fur covering, used in the 1933 film and filmed on this very same stage, at the Jules Verne Adventure Film Festival at the Shrine Auditorium on October 6, 2006 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Jules Verne Adventure Film Festival - Inside(27 of29)
LOS ANGELES - OCTOBER 6: Jules Verne Adventure President Jean-Christophe Jeauffre (L) and director/actor/special effects master Ray Harryhausen appear onstage with the original King Kong model, without the rubber and rabbit fur covering, used in the 1933 film and filmed on this very same stage, at the Jules Verne Adventure Film Festival at the Shrine Auditorium on October 6, 2006 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Illustration For Harryhausen Film(28 of29)
Illustration for an unidentified Ray Harryhausen film showing a dinosaur attacking a group of cavemen outside of a tent, circa 1965. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Ray Harryhausen In Action(29 of29)
American film animator and special effects creator Ray Harryhausen manipulates a figure of a serpent-like monster for stop motion animation, circa 1965. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)