Hollywood is mourning the loss of iconic movie poster artist Drew Struzan.
Struzan, known for his work in “Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back” and “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade,” passed away at 78, Deadline reported.
The legendary artist was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease several years ago and quietly stepped away from the public eye.
Struzan’s wife confirmed the sad news on Tuesday in an emotional Instagram post.
“It is with a heavy heart that I must tell you that Drew Struzan has moved on from this world as of yesterday, October 13th. I feel it is important that you all know how many times he expressed to me the joy he felt knowing how much you appreciated his art.”
Aside from “Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back,” and “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade,” Struzan was the creative mind behind movie posters for popular films, including “Risky Business,” “Back to the Future,” “The Goonies,” “The Thing,” and “Harry Potter and the Sorcererâs Stone.”
Drew Struzan Was a ‘Force of Nature’
The Struzan family remembered the artist’s legacy with another touching tribute on Instagram. In a lengthy post, they described him as a “force of nature” and “like a whirlwind” that “could not be stopped nor tamed nor manipulated.”
His family reflected on how Alzheimerâs affected Struzan and the courage he showed in his fight against it.
“The disease, this particular disease, took the wind out of him,” the family wrote in part. “He could no longer speak his language out loud. We respected the tenacity, his ability to hold on to the fire within that continued to rage. Daily he tended the flame reviewing the paintings of those he long admired. Van Gogh. Gauguin. Cézanne. The Impressionists who fought diligently against the status quo.”
The statement continued:
“It was our honor to nurture that glow. Please take a moment to reflect on what he brought to you. Life should be full of love and beauty. -The Struzan Family”
Tributes Pour In
Meanwhile, fans and fellow artists shared their heartfelt tributes to Struzan, honoring his legacy.
One fan wrote, “Thank you for rendering my childhood and capturing my 20âs, you giant genius!”
Another commented, “The BEST Movie Poster Artist EVER. He single-handedly shaped so many of our fantasy worlds. Thank you ALWAYS King Drew!”
Someone added, “Drew will live on through his work. One of a kind – he inspired several generations of artists.”
Another chimed in, “The Goat of movie posters! One and Only. Thank you, Drew. Your masterpieces lives forever.”
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