The fashion and entertainment worlds are mourning Bob Mackie, the celebrated American fashion and costume designer whose extraordinary career transformed the way performers were seen on television, stage and red carpets.
Mackie died on September 14, 2026, at the age of 87, according to a statement shared through his social media accounts. The announcement described him as a designer who had spent his life fulfilling his dream of working in fashion and costume design.
A cause of death has not been publicly disclosed.
For more than six decades, Mackie created some of the most recognizable costumes in entertainment history. His name became especially synonymous with Cher, Carol Burnett, Tina Turner, Diana Ross, Mitzi Gaynor, Barbra Streisand, Liza Minnelli and many other performers.
Who Was Bob Mackie?
Born Robert Gordon Mackie on March 24, 1939, in Monterey Park, California, Mackie developed an interest in art and costume design at a young age.
His parents were Charles Robert Mackie and Mildred Agnes Mackie. After his parents separated, Mackie spent part of his childhood with his maternal grandparents in Alhambra before later living with his father in Rosemead.
He attended Rosemead High School, followed by Pasadena City College and the Chouinard Art Institute. He left his formal studies before completing a degree after beginning professional work as a costume sketch artist.
That decision marked the beginning of one of the most influential careers in American costume design.
A Career That Began With Hollywood Sketches
Mackie entered the entertainment industry in the early 1960s as a sketch artist, working with established Hollywood costume designers including Edith Head and Jean Louis.
His talent quickly opened doors.
In 1966, Mitzi Gaynor hired Mackie to design costumes for her Las Vegas revue and television specials. The collaboration helped establish him as a designer capable of combining glamour, comedy, movement and theatrical spectacle.
His television career soon expanded dramatically.
Mackie became the costume designer for The Carol Burnett Show, remaining with the program throughout its entire 11-year run. His work became an essential part of the show’s visual identity, particularly through the elaborate costumes worn by Burnett and the rest of the cast.
Bob Mackie and Cher
Among all of Mackie’s professional relationships, his collaboration with Cher became perhaps the most famous.
Mackie helped create the singer’s increasingly daring and glamorous public image, designing costumes for television appearances, performances and major events.
Their partnership produced some of the most memorable celebrity fashion moments of the 20th century.
One of the most famous examples came at the 1986 Academy Awards, when Cher appeared in a revealing black ensemble decorated with sequins and accompanied by a dramatic feathered headpiece.
The look became an instant piece of pop-culture history.
Mackie’s designs allowed Cher to turn clothing into performance, making the costume part of the character rather than simply something worn on stage.
A Designer for Generations of Stars
Although his association with Cher was particularly celebrated, Mackie’s influence extended far beyond one performer.
His clients and collaborators included Carol Burnett, Tina Turner, Diana Ross, Bette Midler, Barbra Streisand, Liza Minnelli, Ann-Margret, Judy Garland, Mitzi Gaynor and many other entertainment figures.
His designs were often instantly recognizable: elaborate, glamorous, playful and unapologetically theatrical.
He also created designs associated with Barbie, expanding his influence beyond television, film and live performance and into popular fashion culture.
Awards and Career Achievements
Mackie’s achievements were recognized throughout his career.
He received nine Emmy Awards from 32 nominations and was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame in 2002.
His work also earned him three Academy Award nominations for costume design.
In 2019, he received a Tony Award for his costume design work on The Cher Show, along with Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle honors for the production.
His career ultimately crossed television, film, Broadway, concert performance, fashion and popular culture.
Bob Mackie’s Personal Life
Mackie married actress and singer Lulu Porter in 1960. The marriage ended in divorce in 1963, and they had one son, Robin.
Robin died in 1993 from an AIDS-related illness.
Mackie also shared a long-term personal and professional relationship with fellow costume designer Ray Aghayan, whom he met while working in Hollywood. Aghayan died in 2011.
Despite the enormous celebrity surrounding his work, Mackie frequently emphasized the creative process and the importance of designing for performers rather than simply following conventional fashion.
A Legacy Written in Sequins, Color and Imagination
Mackie’s greatest contribution was arguably his understanding that costume could become part of a performer’s identity.
He did not simply dress celebrities. He helped create visual characters.
His work gave performers permission to be extravagant, humorous, glamorous and unconventional. The costumes he designed could communicate personality before a performer even spoke or began to sing.
That influence has continued across generations, with younger performers and designers repeatedly returning to Mackie’s archive for inspiration.
His designs remain recognizable decades after they first appeared on television stages and red carpets.
The Fashion World Remembers Bob Mackie
Mackie’s death marks the passing of one of the defining figures in American entertainment costume design.
For generations of viewers, his work was inseparable from some of television’s biggest personalities. For performers, he was a trusted collaborator who understood how clothing could transform a stage appearance into an unforgettable moment.
His influence can be seen not only in the costumes he created but also in the designers and performers who followed him.
Bob Mackie’s legacy is therefore larger than any single dress, television program or celebrity partnership. It is a body of work that helped redefine glamour in American popular culture.
Bob Mackie — Details at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Robert Gordon Mackie |
| Known as | Bob Mackie |
| Born | March 24, 1939 |
| Birthplace | Monterey Park, California |
| Died | September 14, 2026 |
| Age | 87 |
| Profession | Fashion designer and costume designer |
| Best known for | Celebrity and entertainment costume design |
| Major collaborators | Cher, Carol Burnett, Tina Turner, Diana Ross, Mitzi Gaynor and others |
| Television | The Carol Burnett Show, The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour and numerous specials |
| Emmy Awards | 9 wins from 32 nominations |
| Academy Awards | 3 nominations |
| Tony Award | Won for The Cher Show |
| Television Academy Hall of Fame | Inducted in 2002 |
| Children | One son, Robin Mackie |
| Cause of death | Not publicly disclosed |
| Funeral arrangements | Not yet publicly announced |
Latest Update on Bob Mackie’s Death
Bob Mackie’s death was announced on September 14, 2026, at age 87.
At the time of the announcement, no cause of death had been released publicly. Funeral, memorial or celebration-of-life arrangements had also not been announced.
Further information about services and the circumstances surrounding his death may be released by his representatives or family.
Remembering Bob Mackie
Bob Mackie leaves behind a legacy unlike that of almost any other American costume designer.
His designs helped define the public images of some of the biggest entertainers of the modern era. His work with Cher became legendary, while his years with Carol Burnett established him as one of television’s great visual storytellers.
He earned major awards, influenced generations of designers and created costumes that remain part of popular culture decades after their debut.
For fans of fashion, television, theater and entertainment, Mackie’s name will remain associated with imagination, glamour and the belief that a costume could become a moment in history.
Disclaimer
This article has been prepared from information publicly available at the time of publication. Details surrounding Bob Mackie’s death, including the cause of death and funeral or memorial arrangements, may be updated as additional information is released. Any details not officially confirmed should be treated as preliminary. The family and representatives have the primary authority to announce personal, memorial and funeral information.