Michael Lantieri (born 13 August 1954) went to school in Los Angeles, California with actor-director Ron Howard, wanting to be in films from an early age though as a director. However, he went to work in the special effects department of Universal Studios, staying for ten years and working on television shows such as Buck Rogers and Battlestar Galactica before branching out on his own. Lantieri also worked on the Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Disneyland and has provided effects for video games. He directed his own film, called Komodo, and has worked on numerous films with Steven Spielberg. One of his most famous movies was Mars Attacks! where he had the job of creating lifelike animations. In addition, Lantieri developed special effects for Jurassic Park (for which he received an Oscar), Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, as well as Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest. He was also part of the destruction of the Steve Bartman baseball.