Drew Struzan, the renowned artist responsible for creating some of the most iconic movie posters in Hollywood, passed away at the age of 78. The sad news was confirmed by his family through his official Instagram account on Monday.
In a statement shared by his brother, Greg Struzan, it was revealed that Drew Struzan had passed away on October 13th. Greg also mentioned how Drew had expressed his joy multiple times knowing that his art was appreciated by many.
Throughout his extensive career, Struzan made a lasting impact on the film industry by designing posters for major franchises and beloved movies like Star Wars, Back to the Future, Harry Potter, The Empire Strikes Back, The Goonies, The Shawshank Redemption, and The Thing.
Steven Spielberg once praised Struzan as his favorite movie artist, acknowledging the pressure he felt to match the artistic excellence displayed in Struzan’s work.
Struzan’s creative process was meticulous, starting with pencil drawings that were then enhanced with airbrush acrylics and colored pencils to create vivid and handcrafted final images. His signature style focused on capturing the essence of a movie, evoking emotions rather than simply summarizing the plot.
In an interview with Slash Film in 2021, Struzan explained that he aimed to convey feelings rather than narratives through his artwork, striving to create something unique that differed from traditional movie posters.
Before gaining recognition in Hollywood, Struzan gained fame designing album covers for notable musicians such as the Beach Boys, Bee Gees, Earth, Wind & Fire, Liberace, and Black Sabbath. His artwork for Alice Cooper’s album “Welcome to My Nightmare” was later hailed as one of the greatest album covers by Rolling Stone.
Earlier this year, Struzan’s wife shared that he had been battling Alzheimer’s disease, preventing him from painting or signing his works. She expressed gratitude for the support received from fans and emphasized the lasting impact of Struzan’s art as a testament to his love and dedication to creating beauty in the world.
The legacy of Drew Struzan, a true artist and visionary, will continue to inspire generations to come through his remarkable body of work.