Con Pederson, a pioneering figure in visual effects and one of the four special effects supervisors behind Stanley Kubrick’s iconic 1968 film “2001: A Space Odyssey”, has passed away at the age of 91. He died on Friday at the MPTF residence in Woodland Hills due to complications from Alzheimer’s, leaving behind a profound legacy that transformed the field of cinematic visual effects.

Pederson’s most celebrated work came on 2001: A Space Odyssey, a film that redefined the possibilities of visual storytelling. Working alongside Douglas Trumbull, Wally Veevers, and Tom Howard, Pederson’s meticulous efforts were instrumental in securing Stanley Kubrick an Oscar for Best Visual Effects in 1969. On set, he managed the “war room,” the central hub where every visual effects shot was planned, tracked, and evaluated, often incorporating eight to ten distinct elements into a single frame—an intricate process that spanned many months.

Douglas Trumbull highlighted Pederson’s critical role in the 2018 book Space Odyssey by Michael Benson, calling him “the smartest guy in the room” and stating that “‘2001’ absolutely would not have happened without Con,” underscoring his indispensable contribution to cinematic history.

After 2001, Pederson continued to push the boundaries of animation and visual media. He co-founded Robert Abel and Associates, a pioneering computer animation company, where he worked as both animator and programmer alongside Bob Abel. Later, he joined Metrolight Studios as a creative lead, collaborating with Tim McGovern and continuing to innovate at the intersection of art and technology.

Colleague John Nelson, reflecting on Pederson’s influence, described him as “a constant source of wisdom and knowledge” and a true “Renaissance man.” Nelson emphasized that Pederson’s dual talents—as an artist animating by hand and a technician programming animations—mentored a generation of visual effects artists, with several alumni going on to win Oscars in the field.

Pederson’s early path to filmmaking was equally remarkable. He studied art and anthropology at UCLA before being hired by Disney for his student films. Drafted into the U.S. Army, he contributed to rocket projects with Wernher von Braun, then worked at Graphic Films, where he wrote and directed the 1964 film To The Moon And Beyond for the World’s Fair—a project that caught Stanley Kubrick’s attention and led to his recruitment for 2001: A Space Odyssey.

Beyond his professional life, Pederson was a man of eclectic interests. He crafted crossword puzzles published in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and The Washington Post. He also loved science fiction, hiking, sailing, and collecting bricks from across the country to build creative structures, reflecting a lifelong passion for innovation and curiosity.

Con Pederson is survived by his wife Carole, son Eric, stepchildren Tracey and Morgan, and grandchildren Alex and Vivi, leaving behind a legacy that will continue to inspire generations of filmmakers and visual effects artists worldwide.