NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 03: Bob Mackie speaks onstage during the CFDA Fashion Awards at the Brooklyn Museum of Art on June 03, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images)
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Bob Mackie, the legendary costume designer who collaborated with such stars as Cher, Elton John, Diana Ross, Barbra Streisand and Carol Burnett, has died.
Mackie’s death was announced on Monday on his Instagram page. He was 87. Mackie’s cause of death was not disclosed.
“It is with a heavy heart that we share the news that Mr. Bob Mackie passed away today,” the Instagram announcement reads. “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 recently appeared as himself on the May 5 episode of the HBO Max hit Hacks.
Among Mackie’s most memorable designs was his dress for Cher, who presented Don Ameche with his Best Supporting Actor Oscar for Cocoon at the 1985 Academy Awards.
Mackie himself was nominated for three Oscars for Best Costume Design, for 1972’s Lady Sings the Blues (starring Ross), 1975’s Funny Lady (starring Streisand) and 1981’s Pennies from Heaven (starring Christopher Walken and Bernadette Peters). Mackie’s nominations for Lady Sings the Blues and Funny Lady were shared with Ray Aghayan, his frequent collaborator and life partner. Aghayan died in 2011 at age 83.
Don Ameche holding the Best Supporting Actor Oscar award for his role in Cocoon, backstage at the Academy Awards with award presenter Cher, who is wearing an unusual Bob Mackie evening gown with a feather headdress.
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Known by many as the “Sultan of Sequins,” Mackie also designed dresses for such stars as Mitzi Gaynor, Tina Turner, Judy Garland, Ann-Margret, RuPaul and Bette Midler.
Tulsa King star Dana Delaney was among the stars reacting to Mackie’s death on his Instagram page, writing, “Besides being a singular talent, bridging decades of design (Jean Louis!), Bob was incredibly modest and kind. A true artist. He leaves a forever legacy.”
Four-time Orange Is the New Black Emmy nominee Laverne Cox also paid tribute to the designer on Mackie’s Instagram page, writing, “Rest in Power. Thank you Mr. Mackie.”
Mackie also worked with Mattel on some of the dollmaker’s designs for its Barbie line. In total, the designer helped produce the costumes for nearly two dozen Barbies in The Bob Mackie Collection.
PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 24: Bob Mackie and Carol Burnett at the Art Party 2026 – Benefiting Palm Springs Art Museum | Honoring Bob Mackie at Palm Springs Art Museum on January 24, 2026 in Palm Springs, California. (Photo by David Crotty/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
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Bob Mackie’s Screen Credits Date Back Six Decades
Born Robert Gordon Mackie on March 24, 1939, in Monterey Park, Calif., Bob Mackie’s first screen credit as a costume designer was for the 1962 TV special Arthur Freed’s Hollywood Melody.
From 1963-64, Mackie worked as an assistant costume designer on the comedy and music variety series The Judy Garland Show.
From 1967 to 1978, Mackie designed costumes for The Carol Burnett Show over all 11 seasons of the classic variety series. Mackie also collaborated with the comedy great on 1991’s The Carol Burnett Show and 1993’s The Carol Burnett Show: A Reunion, as well as other Burnett TV specials.
US singer and actress Cher (L) and US fashion designer Bob Mackie attend the premiere of “Bob Mackie: Naked Illusion” at the Directors Guild of America in Los Angeles, on May 13, 2024. (Photo by VALERIE MACON / AFP) (Photo by VALERIE MACON/AFP via Getty Images)
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Mackie began his longtime collaboration with Cher on the variety series The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour, which ran for four seasons from 1971-74, which was followed by his work with the singer-actress on the variety show Cher in 1975. Mackie also designed Cher’s gowns for the follow-up series The Sonny and Cher Show, which ran for two seasons from 1976-77.
Mackie also designed costumes for Cher on her concert tours, including the 1983 TV special Cher: A Celebration at Caesars and 2003’s TV special Cher: The Farewell Tour.
Over his illustrious career, Mackie was nominated for 32 Emmy Awards, winning nine. He also received an honorary Emmy Award in 2002 when he was enshrined in the Television Academy’s Television Hall of Fame.
Mackie also won a Tony Award in 2019 for Best Costume Design in a Musical for the Cher jukebox musical The Cher Show.
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