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Legendary costume and fashion designer Bob Mackie, known for his work with Cher and other major entertainment stars, has died at 87.
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Mackie’s career spanned more than five decades and earned him nine Emmy Awards, a Tony Award and three Oscar nominations.
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He created some of Cher’s most memorable stage and red-carpet looks and also worked with stars including Carol Burnett, Diana Ross and Tina Turner.
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Mackie leaves behind a lasting legacy in entertainment, with his designs continuing to influence performers and fashion decades after they were created.
September 14, (THEWILL) – Bob Mackie, the legendary costume and fashion designer whose work helped shape some of Hollywood’s most memorable looks, has died at the age of 87.
Mackie’s team announced his death on his official Instagram page on Monday, September 14. The statement described him as a designer who had fulfilled his lifelong dream of working in fashion and costume design. The cause of death has not been disclosed.
Known for his glamorous and elaborate designs, Mackie became especially famous for his long-running creative partnership with Cher. He designed many of the singer’s most recognisable stage and television costumes, including the striking look she wore to the 1986 Academy Awards.
Mackie’s work with Cher began after they met through ‘The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour’. Their collaboration continued for decades and became one of the most recognized designer-performer partnerships in entertainment. He also created costumes for Carol Burnett, Diana Ross, Tina Turner, Barbra Streisand, Liza Minnelli and Bette Midler.
Mackie began his career as a sketch artist in Hollywood, where he worked with established costume designers including Edith Head and Jean Louis. His early work led to major television and stage projects, including ‘The Carol Burnett Show’, for which he designed costumes throughout its 11-year run.
His work earned him 32 Emmy nominations and nine wins. He also received three Academy Award nominations for ‘Lady Sings the Blues’, ‘Funny Lady’ and ‘Pennies From Heaven’. In 2019, he won a Tony Award for Best Costume Design for the Broadway musical ‘The Cher Show’.
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Beyond television and film, Mackie worked in theatre, fashion and product design. He created the Bob Mackie Barbie collection and developed ready-to-wear and home collections. His costume designs also continued to inspire performers across generations.
His influence remained visible in recent years, with stars such as Zendaya, Miley Cyrus and Anya Taylor-Joy drawing inspiration from his archive for red-carpet appearances.
Mackie was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame in 2002, further recognizing his contribution to entertainment.
With a career built on glamour, creativity and unforgettable designs, Mackie leaves behind a body of work that continues to shape the look of Hollywood entertainment.
Evi-Ben Ezaga is an entertainment and society writer with a passion for stories that explore culture, people, and the stories shaping society today.
