DREW STRUZAN (1947 - 2025)

Legendary Hollywood illustrator Drew Struzan, whose artwork defined the visual identity of some of cinema’s most beloved films, has died at the age of 78. His passing was confirmed on his official Instagram account.

Struzan was best known for his photorealistic, hand-painted movie posters that became as iconic as the films themselves. His portfolio includes timeless works for E.T., Blade Runner, Back to the Future, Star Wars, and Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, among many others.

Over a career spanning more than three decades, Struzan’s distinctive blend of realism and imagination set a gold standard for movie poster artistry. He retired in 2008 following his work on Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull and had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in later years.

Struzan will be remembered as one of the last great traditional illustrators — an artist whose vivid, hand-painted creations captured the magic and emotion of storytelling long before the age of digital design. His legacy continues to inspire new generations of artists and film lovers alike.