Bob Mackie, the legendary American fashion and costume designer whose dazzling creations became part of pop culture history, has died at the age of 87. Mackie passed away on September 14, 2026, in Palm Springs, California, leaving behind a career that stretched across more than five decades and transformed the way some of the world’s biggest stars were seen on stage and television. Known for his extravagant use of sequins, feathers, rhinestones and dramatic silhouettes, Mackie became one of the most recognizable designers in American entertainment. His work earned him nine Emmy Awards from 32 nominations, while his designs became inseparable from performers including Cher, Carol Burnett, Diana Ross, Tina Turner and Elton John. The cause of death has not been disclosed.
Mackie was born Robert Gordon Mackie in Monterey Park, California, in 1939 and discovered his passion for drawing and costume design at an early age. After studying art, he began working in Hollywood, where he assisted established costume designers before developing his own career. His breakthrough came through television, particularly variety programs that allowed him to create spectacular outfits designed not simply to dress performers, but to make them unforgettable. His long collaboration with Carol Burnett became one of the defining partnerships of his career. Mackie designed costumes for the entire 11 year run of “The Carol Burnett Show,” producing an enormous number of outfits for Burnett, the show’s cast and its many celebrity guests.
Perhaps his most famous creative partnership was with Cher, whom Mackie first worked with during the 1960s and continued dressing for decades. Together, they created some of the most recognizable celebrity looks of the 20th century, including Cher’s daring 1980s appearances and her famous outfits for major television and awards events. Mackie also designed the provocative look Cher wore to the 1986 Academy Awards, as well as the outfit for her “If I Could Turn Back Time” music video. His creations for Elton John, Tina Turner, Diana Ross, Liza Minnelli, Dolly Parton and many other stars helped establish his reputation as a designer who understood that entertainment fashion was about spectacle as much as clothing.
One of Mackie’s most memorable creations was not a glamorous red carpet gown at all, but the famous “curtain dress” worn by Carol Burnett in a parody of “Gone With the Wind” on “The Carol Burnett Show.” Designed as a joke, the costume became one of the most recognizable comedy costumes in television history and is now part of the permanent collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. Mackie’s work also extended beyond television and celebrity wardrobes. He received Academy Award nominations for his costume work on “Lady Sings the Blues,” “Funny Lady” and “Pennies From Heaven,” and he later brought his distinctive style to Barbie, helping turn the doll into a fashion icon for a new generation.
Mackie’s influence did not disappear with the era in which he became famous. Younger stars continued to wear his archival designs, including Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter and Zendaya, while his older creations have continued to appear in exhibitions, auctions and fashion retrospectives. The designer was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame in 2002, further recognizing his lasting contribution to television. His career demonstrated how costume design could become much more than supporting work, with clothing capable of defining characters, creating unforgettable performances and even becoming part of cultural history. Bob Mackie leaves behind a visual legacy that will continue to sparkle long after his final curtain.
