Nancy St. John, VFX Producer on ‘Gladiator’ Dead at 70

Veteran visual effects producer Nancy St. John, whose credits include the films “Babe” and “Gladiator” (both of which won VFX Oscar kudos), has died at the age of 70, the Visual Effects Society confirmed.

St. John held a career in VFX and computer animation that spanned more than four decades. She was a former VES executive board committee member who received the distinction of Fellow in 2021.

“Nancy and I served together on the Society’s executive committee, and she passionately represented the worldwide members,” past VES chair Jeffrey A. Okun said in a statement. “She was a vibrant, creative person and a knowledgeable practitioner who helped so many individuals and VFX companies along the way – always generous with her wit and wisdom, but also always aware of the bottom line. She will be sorely missed, and the world is now a little colder because she has moved on.”

St. John’s career in VFX and computer animation included stints at Robert Abel & Associates, Digital Productions, National Center for Supercomputing Applications, Pacific Data Images, Industrial Light & Magic, Rhythm & Hues, Mill Film and Prime Focus. Her credits also includes VFX Oscar-nominated “I, Robot” and a string of films including “Bill & Ted Face the Music, “Ender’s Game,” “Men in Black 3,” “Immortals,” “James and the Giant Peach,” 2016’s “Ghostbusters” and 2012’s “Total Recall.”

Her contributions to the community included terms as both first and second vice chair of the VES board of directors, membership in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences VFX branch and VFX executive committee, and membership in the Producers Guild.