Bob Mackie, the legendary fashion and costume designer whose work helped define the visual identities of Cher, Carol Burnett and generations of entertainers, has died at the age of 87. His death brings to a close a career spanning more than six decades across television, film, Broadway, concerts and celebrity fashion.
Mackie died Monday in Palm Springs, California. His death was announced through his social media accounts, where his family and team remembered him as a designer who spent his life fulfilling the career he had always wanted. His longtime design director Joe McFate also confirmed the death. A specific medical cause of death was not immediately disclosed.
Bob Mackie built his career through television
Born in Southern California in 1939, Mackie developed an early fascination with movies, art and glamorous screen stars. His ability to sketch opened the door to Hollywood, where he worked around established costume designers including Jean Louis and Edith Head before becoming a major designer in his own right.
His breakthrough included work with performer Mitzi Gaynor, but television transformed his career. Mackie became costume designer for The Carol Burnett Show, which ran from 1967 to 1978. He created clothing for Burnett, Harvey Korman, Vicki Lawrence, Tim Conway, Lyle Waggoner and numerous guest stars.
Burnett later recalled that Mackie could produce around 50 costumes in a week. His designs were often part of the comedy itself, most famously in the “Went With the Wind” parody, where Burnett appeared in a curtain-inspired gown with the curtain rod still attached.
Cher and Bob Mackie created an iconic partnership
Mackie met Cher through his television work and later designed costumes for The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour. Their partnership became one of the most recognizable designer-performer relationships in entertainment history.
Sequins, feathers, sheer fabrics and dramatic silhouettes became signatures of their work together. Cher’s elaborate black ensemble and towering feathered headpiece at the 1986 Academy Awards remains one of Mackie’s most famous creations.
His influence extended far beyond Cher. Mackie dressed Diana Ross, Tina Turner, Barbra Streisand, Madonna, Liza Minnelli, Bette Midler, Ann-Margret and other major performers. Elaborate visual presentation remains central to modern live music as well, including large-scale productions such as the upcoming Harry Styles 2027 tour.
Marilyn Monroe links Mackie to an earlier Hollywood era
One of Mackie’s most remarkable career connections came before he became famous himself. While working as a young sketch artist for Jean Louis, he drew the sketch associated with the sheer, crystal-covered gown Marilyn Monroe wore while performing “Happy Birthday, Mr. President” for John F. Kennedy in 1962.
That early assignment shows the extraordinary span of Mackie’s career. He contributed to one of Hollywood’s most enduring fashion images before later creating similarly memorable looks under his own name.
Nine Emmys, Oscar nominations and a Tony Award
Mackie received 32 Emmy nominations and won nine Emmy Awards during his television career. The Television Academy also inducted him into its Hall of Fame in 2002.
His film work brought three Academy Award nominations for costume design, for Lady Sings the Blues, Funny Lady and Pennies From Heaven. Mackie later won a Tony Award for his work on The Cher Show, for which he created hundreds of costumes.
His career crossed many of the same worlds that continue to connect music, television and celebrity culture today, including major industry events such as the 2026 CMA Awards.
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Zendaya and Miley Cyrus introduced his archive to younger audiences
Mackie’s designs continued to attract new generations long after the television variety-show era ended. Zendaya, Miley Cyrus and Anya Taylor-Joy are among younger stars who have worn pieces from his archive.
Zendaya wore a vintage Mackie gown while honoring Cher at the 2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Taylor Swift also incorporated Mackie originals into imagery connected with her 2025 album The Life of a Showgirl.
His designs became part of entertainment history
Mackie often treated costume design as character creation rather than conventional fashion. A Carol Burnett costume could deliver a punchline, while a Cher outfit could establish a stage persona before a song even began.
That approach explains why his work remained recognizable for decades. From Marilyn Monroe’s famous gown sketch and Burnett’s comedy costumes to Cher’s daring stage looks and archival pieces worn by modern stars, Mackie helped shape the visual language of American entertainment. His death at 87 ends a remarkable career, but the images he created remain embedded in television, music and fashion history.
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