How Did Bob Mackie Die? Award-Winning Fashion Designer Known for Working with Marilyn Monroe, Tina Turner, Diana Ross and Cher Dies Aged 87

Bob Mackie, the renowned fashion designer celebrated for his dazzling creations, has died at the age of 87, according to a statement shared on his social media accounts. “It is with a heavy heart that we share the news that Mr. Bob Mackie passed away today,” the statement began.

“He lived his 87 years to the fullest, fulfilling his dream of being a Fashion and Costume Designer, which is all he ever wanted to do. His genius and extraordinary designs will live on forever, continuing to bring beauty into this world.” Mackie created the celebrated sketch for Marilyn Monroe’s iconic 1962 “Happy Birthday, Mr. President” dress worn for the gala.

A Legend is Dead

The gown was designed by Jean Louis, who asked Mackie to prepare the preliminary illustration after Monroe requested a skin-tight, “naked” look. Mackie was perhaps best known for the extravagant, showgirl-inspired outfits he created for singer Cher, earning him the nickname “Sultan of Sequins.”

The Los Angeles native also designed costumes for stars including Carol Burnett, Tina Turner, Barbra Streisand, Diana Ross, Liza Minnelli, Ann-Margret and Bette Midler.

One of his earliest major television jobs came as a costume designer for The Carol Burnett Show, which aired from 1967 to 1978. Among his most memorable creations for the series was Burnett’s famous “curtain rod” Scarlett O’Hara costume from the Gone With the Wind parody titled Went With the Wind!

“He saved me and many a comedy sketch by coming up with wonderfully funny character outfits that not only enhanced the writing but many times gave me the clue as to what the character I was playing was all about,” Burnett wrote in the introduction to Frank DeCaro’s 1999 book, Unmistakably Mackie.

Mackie met Cher while working on The Carol Burnett Show, beginning a professional partnership that would last for decades.

He later became the costume designer for The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour, which debuted in 1971. Cher famously wore one of Mackie’s daring creations to the 1986 Oscars while presenting Don Ameche with the award for best supporting actor.

The outfit featured black stretch pants, a jeweled loincloth, knee-high boots, a black chain-link top and an oversized feathered Mohawk headdress. “Critics said, “Well, that’s not fashion,”‘ he remembered. ‘Well, it wasn’t meant to be fashion. She wanted to do it just because it was fun.”

Attestation to His Genius

Mackie earned 32 Emmy nominations and was nominated for three Academy Awards for his costume work on Lady Sings the Blues, Funny Lady and Pennies From Heaven. Mackie also created costumes for a wide range of theater productions throughout his career.

His theatrical credits included Lorelei, starring Carol Channing, On the Town with Bernadette Peters and Platinum, which featured Alexis Smith.

He also brought his distinctive style to productions such as Moon Over Buffalo and Putting It Together with Burnett.

Mackie spoke fondly of working with Liza Minnelli on Minnelli Starring Liza. The designer, who was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame in 2002, always wanted the stars wearing his creations to command attention.

“You want the audience to be surprised when they walk out,” he said.

“You want them to swoon or ooh or ahh or clap — all of that is important, it’s part of the business of show business. It’s exciting.

“If a woman is going to do an hour and a half onstage and she’s just in a little black dress, she’d better be Judy Garland. You’re there to see her, you’re not just listening. So there needs to be something visual.”