Renowned Airbrush Artist Drew Struzan, Creator of Blockbuster Movie Posters, Dies at 78

In a tragic loss for the entertainment industry, legendary movie poster artist Drew Struzan has passed away at the age of 78. Struzan, whose illustrations epitomized the marketing of Hollywood blockbusters for generations, died on Monday, as announced by his official social media accounts.

Struzan, born in Oregon City, Oregon, in 1947, began his career in the entertainment industry as an illustrator, creating album covers for artists like Alice Cooper and the Bee Gees. He later transitioned to designing movie posters, breaking into the mainstream with his work on the original Star Wars film in 1978.

Over the years, Struzan continued to collaborate with iconic filmmakers like George Lucas and Steven Spielberg, designing posters for the Star Wars and Indiana Jones franchises. His distinctive airbrush style, which gave his artwork a warm, timeless quality, became a hallmark of his work.

Sadly, Struzan's wife, Dylan, revealed in March that he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease several years ago. "Drew has left a strong legacy of love and joy in the form of his work," she wrote at the time, adding that "his season is ending."

The news of Struzan's passing has been met with an outpouring of grief and appreciation from fans and industry professionals alike, who recognize the immense impact his art had on the world of cinema.