Drew Struzan, the legendary artist whose movie posters became almost as famous as the films themselves, has passed away at the age of 78. His official Instagram account confirmed that he died on October 13 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
For more than 40 years, Struzan’s colorful and detailed artwork shaped the look of modern cinema. He created posters for some of the biggest films in history, including Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Back to the Future, The Goonies, The Thing, and Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. Known for his realistic style, rich colors, and emotional depth, Struzan had a unique talent for capturing the essence of a movie in a single, memorable image.
Steven Spielberg and George Lucas were among his closest collaborators. Spielberg called him “my favorite movie artist,” saying that Struzan’s posters often set a standard that the movies themselves had to match. Lucas credited him with turning film advertising into a true art form.
After his passing, Hollywood figures shared their tributes. Spielberg wrote, “Drew made event art. His posters made many of our movies into destinations.” Guillermo del Toro described him as “a genial man, a genius communicator, and a supreme artist,” while DC Comics president Jim Lee called him “a giant among giants.”
Struzan was born in Oregon in 1947 and began his career designing album covers. In the 1970s, he moved into film posters, quickly earning a reputation through partnerships with major studios and directors. His hand-painted work, full of detail and emotion, stood out in an industry later dominated by digital art.
His life and work were celebrated in the 2013 documentary Drew: The Man Behind the Poster, which highlighted his lasting influence on pop culture. Reflecting on his career in 2018, Struzan said, “My favorite poster is always the next one.”
