Don Marando, Journeyman Make-up Artist (1929 – 2018)
Make-Up Artist
By Susan Cabral-Ebert
May 2, 2018
Born in Indiana, Dominic (Don) Marando was a third generation hair stylist and make-up artist. After serving in the Army and Counter Intelligence Corps from 1945 – 1951, he attended Indiana University in South Bend. He owned a nightclub then catapulted to Hollywood where he became Bob Hope’s make-up artist, doing movies, series, specials and USO tours and traveled the world.
“Hope once got Don a field commission as an Army Lt. Col. so Don wouldn’t be delayed at checkpoints in Vietnam,” says Bob Mills, longtime staff writer for Bob Hope. “That’s how important Don was to Hope. Don carried the card with him thereafter using it whenever needed. Remarkable.”
Originally a TV Tape member, Don worked at NBC, CBS, KTLA, KCOP, ABC, the BBC in London, the CBC in Montreal and Vancouver and the networks in New York for a number of years, then became a Journeyman and did some of the favorite TV series of the 1980s and 90s. Jake and the Fatman, Dukes of Hazzard, Starman, Walking Tall and the mini-series Beulah Land. All kept him one of the most sought-after make-up artists of the time. Hardworking and fun-loving, Don always kept it lively in the make-up and hair trailer and everyone was fair game – equal opportunity laughter. Keeping his Dukes cast in line kept him hopping, and his Jake and the Fatman cast on the straight and narrow in Hawaii. He was always wrangling. The adventures with Bob Hope were legendary.
After Jake and the Fatman, Don Marando stayed in Hawaii and enjoyed semi-retirement for a while, finally retiring in 1995 when he returned to California. Don trained his daughter Dawn Marando to become a Local 706 make-up artist and she went on to win a Daytime Emmy before becoming an attorney. His two sons, were also IATSE members: Anthony, a member of Local 705 (costumers) and Mark, a member of Local 33 (stage technicians).
Don Marando was married to Rose Marando in 1949, and she passed away in 2001. He passed away on April 7, 2018. Local 706 was not notified of any services.
“Thanks for the Memories,” Brother Don Marando.
MARANDO, Don (Dominic Marando)
Born: 9/10/1929, Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.A.
Died: 4/7/2018, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Don Marando’s westerns – makeup artist:
Paint Your Wagon – 1969
Belle Starr (TV) - 1980