Bob Mackie, the Hollywood costume designer nicknamed “the Sultan of Sequins,” died of pneumonia at age 87, according to his representatives. The cause of death was confirmed to PEOPLE after his team announced his passing on Monday, September 14, at his home in Palm Springs, California.
In a statement shared on his official <a href=”https://www.instagram.com/bobmackie/” target=”_blank”>Instagram account</a>, Mackie’s team said he lived his 87 years to the fullest and fulfilled his dream of becoming a fashion and costume designer, adding that his designs would keep bringing beauty into the world. His representative said he died at about 10:40 a.m.
Born in 1939 in Monterey Park, California, Mackie built a career that stretched across five decades and reshaped how glamour looked on screen and stage. At just 22, he was credited with sketching the gown Marilyn Monroe wore in 1962 when she sang “Happy Birthday” to President John F. Kennedy. He then made his name in television, designing outfits for “The Carol Burnett Show” from 1967 to 1978, including the famous “curtain dress” from the show’s “Gone With the Wind” parody.
His longest and best-known partnership was with Cher. Mackie created many of her most iconic looks, from the feathered headpiece she wore to the 1986 Oscars to the sheer bodysuit in the 1989 “If I Could Turn Back Time” video. After his death, Cher paid tribute on X, calling him her “sweet Prince” and saying her dear Bob had gone up to heaven.
Over his career, Mackie won nine Emmy Awards and earned more than 30 nominations. He also received three Oscar nominations for costume design, for “Lady Sings the Blues,” “Funny Lady” and “Pennies From Heaven.” In 2018, he won his only Tony Award for his work on Broadway’s “The Cher Show.” His list of clients also included Tina Turner, Barbra Streisand, Diana Ross, Elton John, Liza Minnelli, Beyonce and Miley Cyrus. A 2024 documentary, “Bob Mackie: Naked Illusion,” looked back at his life and legacy.
Tributes from the entertainment world poured in after the news broke, with stars and fans remembering the designer for his glittering creations and his playful approach to fashion.
Discover also: Celebrity News
Source: The Daily Beast
M Adnan Akram is the founder and lead writer at Back Casting Room, where he covers celebrity biographies, family histories, and the lesser-known figures behind well-known names. His work focuses on separating verified public information from speculation, drawing on publicly available records, interviews, and credible reporting to build accurate, well-researched profiles.
With a particular interest in entertainment and pop culture, Adnan writes about everything from celebrity net worth breakdowns to the private individuals connected to famous names, the spouses, family members, and background figures whose stories rarely get told in full.
At Back Casting Room, the goal is straightforward: give readers accurate, well-sourced information without the clickbait or unverified claims that often surround celebrity-adjacent stories.
