Five decades of Hollywood glamour

American fashion and costume designer Bob Mackie died on 14 September 2026 at the age of 87 in a Palm Springs hospital in California. His design director cited pneumonia as the cause of death. Born in 1939 in Monterey Park, California, Mackie began his career in the early 1960s after leaving university to work as a sketch artist for established Hollywood costume designers Jean Louis and Edith Head. During that period, he produced the sketch for the sheer, beaded gown worn by Marilyn Monroe during her 1962 performance of "Happy Birthday" for President John F. Kennedy. Over a career spanning five decades, his signature use of sequins, beads, feathers, and rhinestones earned him the moniker the "Sultan of Sequins."

Dressing Cher and defining television style

Mackie gained widespread prominence after entertainer Carol Burnett hired him in 1967, when he was in his late twenties, to design costumes for The Carol Burnett Show. During his 11-year run on the programme, he created memorable comedic pieces, including the "curtain dress" parody of Gone with the Wind, which is now preserved in the Smithsonian American History Museum. In 1971, he met singer and actress Cher on the television special The First Nine Months, starting a long-running creative partnership that continued through The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour from 1971 to 1974. Mackie designed dozens of daring looks for Cher, including her midriff-baring ensembles and the black feathered outfit with a towering headdress that she wore to the 1986 Academy Awards.

Stage spectacles and award recognition

Mackie expanded his work across music, theatre, and film, dressing artists such as Elton John, Diana Ross, Tina Turner, Madonna, Bette Midler, Sharon Stone, RuPaul, and Pink. He also created signature concert outfits, including Elton John's duck costume, and designed collector wardrobe lines for Barbie dolls. Over his career, Mackie received more than 30 Emmy Award nominations, winning nine times. He earned three Academy Award nominations for his costume design work on Lady Sings the Blues, Funny Lady, and Pennies from Heaven. In 2002, he was inducted into the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame, and in 2019, he won a Tony Award for the Broadway musical The Cher Show.

Tributes from across the entertainment industry

Following the announcement on Mackie's official social media channels, numerous collaborators and performers shared public tributes reflecting on his influence and craftsmanship. Cher remembered him on social media as a lifelong artistic partner and dear friend.

“My dear Bob has gone up to heaven. Knowing him, he's bringing Sequins, Beads, & his sketch pad. Good nite sweet Prince.”

Elton John praised Mackie's precision, work ethic, and distinct approach to entertainment design throughout their decades of collaboration.

“Every time I put something on that Bob made, I felt very, very special. His costumes were works of art, and he will go down as one of the most legendary designers ever in Hollywood. Bob had extraordinary vision and the workmanship was unreal. I don't think I ever wore a Bob Mackie outfit and had anything fall off - not a sequin or a rhinestone or anything.”

Other performers, including Barbra Streisand, Bette Midler, and Barbara Eden, recalled his humour and dedication, while younger artists like Sabrina Carpenter noted the ongoing influence of his archival pieces on modern fashion.