Bob Mackie, the renowned fashion and costume designer known for his dazzling and intricately beaded creations, has died at the age of 87. The designer’s team announced his passing on September 14, describing Mackie as a visionary whose work will continue to inspire and bring beauty to the world.
Mackie’s prolific career spanned decades and included costume designs for some of the most iconic performers in entertainment history, including Cher, Carol Burnett, Dolly Parton, Tina Turner, Diana Ross, and Liza Minnelli. His signature style often featured elaborate embellishments, beadwork, and theatrical flair.
Born in Monterey Park, California, on March 24, 1939, Mackie pursued his passion for design from a young age. After brief studies at Pasadena City College and the Chouinard Art Institute, he began his career in 1961 as a sketch artist for legendary costume designer Edith Head at Paramount Studios. Mackie’s breakthrough came when he created costumes for Mitzi Gaynor’s Las Vegas stage shows, which won him two Emmy Awards.
His longstanding collaboration with comedian Carol Burnett began in 1967 with “The Carol Burnett Show.” Mackie designed costumes for 11 seasons of the program, crafting such memorable pieces as the green-velvet curtain dress for Burnett’s “Gone With the Wind” parody, now part of the Smithsonian Institution’s collection. Burnett described Mackie as uniquely talented, bridging the worlds of fashion and costume design with unparalleled skill.
Mackie’s relationship with Cher also proved pivotal. He began working with the singer during the early seasons of Burnett’s show. Over the years, he created some of her most iconic looks, including the famed 1984 crystal-beaded nude halter gown worn at the Academy Awards, and the bold 1986 black two-piece ensemble paired with a feathered mohawk headpiece, which Cher famously wore while presenting an Oscar she felt snubbed for. Their partnership culminated in a series of high-profile and historic costumes that cemented Mackie’s reputation in the industry.
Tributes poured in following news of his death. Burnett called him “one of a kind,” highlighting his rare ability to blend fashion with costume artistry. Diana Ross shared her condolences on social media with a photo from the CFDA Fashion Awards. Young performers such as Sabrina Carpenter and stylist Law Roach also expressed their admiration, with Carpenter noting how Mackie’s work brought joy and confidence into her life.
During his career, Mackie received 32 Emmy nominations and won nine, including for his work with Burnett, Gaynor, and Ross. He was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame in 2002 and earned three Academy Award nominations. In 2019, he won a Tony Award for costume design on “The Cher Show,” underscoring his enduring influence on both stage and screen.
Cher paid a final tribute on social media, reflecting on Mackie’s signature sparkle: “My dear Bob has gone up to heaven. Knowing him, he’s bringing sequins, beads, & his sketch pad. Good nite sweet Prince,” she wrote.
Bob Mackie’s legacy endures as a pioneer whose imaginative, glamorous designs elevated costuming to an art form and left a lasting imprint on the entertainment and fashion industries.