Makeup artist for big film stars working on Addams Family cast

James Desmond, who plays Lurch in The Addams Family
musical at Limelight Theatre, has his makeup applied by Diane Maurno, a professional makeup artist who has worked for many years in film and TV. Photo by Renee Unsworth

Diane Maurno has done makeup for Johnny Depp, Miami Vice, Sandra Bullock and The Sopranos

St. Augustine, FL — Professional makeup artist Diane Maurno has been busy turning regular people into Addams Family characters.

The Addams Family musical runs through Oct. 19 at Limelight Theatre, 11 Old Mission Ave., uptown St. Augustine.

Morticia, Gomez, Wednesday, Pugsley, Lurch, Uncle Fester, Grandmama and a dozen or so other characters are played by volunteer community actors — each who must be transformed for this particular show.

Maurno has worked with each cast member, teaching how to apply their own makeup. In order for the characters to look their part, the makeup has to be precise.

Diane has done makeup work on film and TV stars for many years, including Mira Sorvino, Johnny Depp, Sandra Bullock, Burt Reynolds, Edie Falco, Mary Steenburgen, James Gandolfini, Lee Majors, Laura Dern, Angela Basset, Jared Leto, Richard Grieco and the list goes on. See more at www.dmaurnodesigns.com.

“I love the art and creativity of it, of course,” Diane said. “But the talented people and the amazing places I’ve had the pleasure of meeting and experiencing have made for a very interesting and exciting career.”

She started her career in Miami when she was hired for “Midnight Crossing” with Faye Dunaway and Daniel J. Travanti.

“The film Industry is a word of mouth business. … Once I did my first film, my work as well as my work ethic, was noticed …. As well as my ability to quickly solve on-set problems,” Maurno said.

“My affinity for actors (having studied acting along the way) was another strong point that was noticed.”

Her film work includes Rock of Ages, Up in the Air, Like Danelion Dust, Honeydripper, Manchurian Candidate, The Celestine Prophecy, Legend of Bagger Vance, Bad Boys, Lonely Hearts and dozens more.

“On ‘Lonely Hearts,’ James Gandolfini in the makeup chair says to me ‘My dressing room is so full of plants that people keep sending me and I can’t even walk in there. Do you want a plant?’ I said, ‘sure’ thinking it was a tabletop arrangement. Shortly after, I opened my trailer door to see a huge six foot tall arrangement in a gorgeous three foot tall vase coming toward me. I couldn’t even see the person carrying it. That vase still sits in my home and reminds me of James,” Maurno said.

Her TV credits include Aquaman, The Sopranos, CSI Miami, Special Ops Force, Walking on Sunshine, 21 Jump Street and Miami Vice, among others.

The cast includes Dave Alan Thomas as Gomez; Lisa Black as Morticia; Kayla Alvarez as Wednesday; Evan Gray as Pugsley; Will Gooden as Pugsley understudy; Deborah Hurm Cosanno as Grandmama; Thomas Muniz as Uncle Fester; James Desmond as Lurch; Brian Johnson as Mal; Andrea McCook as Alice; Butler Robertson as Lucas; and the ensemble includes Will Gallagher, Brian H. Matthews, Ryne Renz, E. Rock Rasmussen, Kyle Thompson, Maria Helfrich, Madi Mack, Morgan Williams and Alison Zador.

The Addams Family runs through Oct. 19. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday.

Tickets are $25 per person. For reservations, call 904-825-1164 or go to limelight-theatre.org.