Today, May 7th, 2013, a man whose impact on the imagination of billions, rivaling only that of Jim Henson, who it could even be said was himself influenced by him, Ray Harryhausen, has passed on.

Ray Harryhausen was the Special Effects legend behind some of the most fondly remembered and influential creations of the past century. He worked on some of the most beloved fantasy films ever made. I don’t think anyone familiar with his impact on cinema would argue that if it weren’t for Ray, films today would be nothing like we know them. Perhaps they would even be decidedly less wondrous. His imagination and dedication will live on forever.

Here’s a partial list of his more beloved films;

• The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms (1953) (visual effects)
• It Came from Beneath the Sea (1955) (visual effects)
• The Animal World (1956) (effects technician)
• Earth vs. the Flying Saucers (1956) (special photographic, animation effects)
• 20 Million Miles to Earth (1957) (visual effects)
• The 7th Voyage of Sinbad (1958) (associate producer, visual effects)
• The Three Worlds of Gulliver (1960) (visual effects)
• Mysterious Island (1961) (special visual effects)
• Jason and the Argonauts (1963) (associate producer, visual effects)
• First Men in the Moon (1964) (associate producer, visual effects)
• One Million Years B.C. (1966) (special visual effects)
• The Valley of Gwangi (1969) (associate producer, visual effects)
• The Golden Voyage of Sinbad (1974) (producer, visual effects)
• Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger (1977) (producer, visual effects)
• Clash of the Titans (1981) (producer, visual effects)