A third Primetime Emmy nomination for a Yarmouth born makeup artist.
Burton LeBlanc currently serves as head of the makeup department for The Handmaid’s Tale, a dystopian television show about a totalitarian society that forces fertile women into servitude and slavery.
LeBlanc is discussing his Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Contemporary Makeup, his third nomination in that category. He says its a very exciting time.
“Being nominated and being recognized by my peers for something that I’m really having a great time doing, and having a great time on the show, it’s so rewarding and it feels great.”
He also described the makeup work that goes into the series.
“It’s a very emotional show and it’s very gritty, so the makeup is very distressed, raw,” says LeBlanc. “It’s all about realism, it’s all about a minimal makeup. Everybody’s wearing makeup, but its very broken down and distressed looking.”
LeBlanc first work on a big production was in 1999 as an assistant makeup artist for the film Detroit Rock City. His career took off after working as a makeup artist for My Big Fat Greek Wedding.
A number of films have had makeup work done by LeBlanc since then, including remakes of Dawn of the Dead and Poltergeist, Cinderella Man and The Incredible Hulk. He also worked on a number of TV series including Skins, 12 Monkeys and American Gothic.
LeBlanc described the personal style that he brings to a production.
“I always believe in less is more, I kind of just do what is absolutely necessary. Sometimes you go overboard and things are too distracting, but as far as a signature, I just think in general less is more.”
c/o Burton LeBlanc
LeBlanc was also a makeup department head for The Invisible Man, a film led by the star of the Handmaid’s Tale, Elisabeth Moss.
“We’ve got a great relationship, we’re having a good time,” LeBlanc says of his relationship with Moss. “As tense as the show is, we still have a bit of fun. There’s a lot of mutual respect there between her and I.”
The fourth season of The Handmaid’s Tale premiered on April 27th of this year on Hulu. The series has been renewed by Hulu for a fifth season. The 73rd Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony will be held on September 19th.
In addition to his three Primetime Emmy nominations, LeBlanc also has a win in Best Contemporary Makeup for the Hollywood Makeup Artist and Hair Stylist Guild Awards for his work on My Big Fat Greek Wedding. He was also nominated three times in that catagory for his work on The Handmaid’s Tale. He has also been nominated for a MET fashion award.
LeBlanc’s recently finished work on Luckiest Girl Alive, starring Mila Kunis and Connie Britton, which is due out next year. LeBlanc describes the film as a lighter dark comedy and a departure from his work on The Handmaid’s Tale.
“I try to mix it up,” says LeBlanc. “As long as I’m not doing the same thing all the time, year after year, I’m quite happy.”
Hear the full interview with Burton LeBlanc this Sunday morning at 9 a.m. on Y95’s The Weekender.
