After 2002 he just disappeared from films and off the grid. It's speculated he went into real estate and his Facebook fan page reckons he's a recluse who doesn't like being interviewed. His name popped up in a interview where he did work on a single episode of Game Of Thrones where he's uncredited and did a short film called Cindy's New Boyfriend.
shareHim doing uncredited work for one episode of Game Of Thrones for Joffrey's death was probably him doing it as a favor or for fun, maybe he was connected to someone involved on the show. Feels like now he doing stuff under the radar supporting people's claims he's a recluse who doesn't like being interviewed or making public appearances, maybe he just had enough of Hollywood or something.
shareI refuse to believe Bottin was being squeezed out by CGI, practical effects and special effects make up are still being used today mostly on medium budget stuff. Tom Woodruff Jr. and Alec Gillis and KNB EFX Group are still working today.
shareYeah. I'm sure there are fewer opportunities now due to CGI, but makeup and practical effects are still used. Being at the top of the profession, Bottin could still get gigs if he wanted them, I would think.
shareTom Savini and Rick Baker are still making appearances today, but Bottin has just disappeared from public eye. Maybe people do know what's happened to him but just aren't telling anyone which would mean something bad.
shareThe speculation he had a falling out with Rick Baker around the time of The Howling that he wasn't really a people person, maybe that and the issues working on RoboCop contributed to him leaving the industry, but that's all speculation.
shareMaybe he didn't leave with a bang, his last films credits Mr Deeds and Serving Sara aren't exactly films that are shouted about for their special effects.
shareI have a feeling Bottin worked really hard for 20 years and he probably didn't want to ruin his health. He was known to be pretty intense about his work, he did admit he worked so hard on The Thing(1982) he required hospitalization. By the time 2002 rolled around he might have had problems with his eyes, plus being around all those paints and other chemicals I imagine his insides were giving him trouble as well.
I'm a little surprised he didn't startup his own SFX/Makeup production company but I guess he's not that type of guy.
Explains why he now wears glasses.
Probably didn't want people to see him in poor health.