Drew Struzan: One of The All-Time Greats!

It is with a heavy heart that we mark the passing of the incredible artist Drew Struzan—an illustrator whose work shaped not only Hollywood advertising but also the way many of us remember our childhood, our cinema-memories, and the magic of film. He died on October 13, 2025, at the age of 78.

A Humble Beginning, A Rising Star

Drew was born March 18, 1947, in Oregon City, Oregon. He trained at the ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena and began his professional journey designing album covers for artists like the Beach Boys and Alice Cooper.

He chose the path of illustration partly for its stability—he married his wife Dylan and became a father early. He worked hard to pay his way through art school, selling small works and pushing through tough days.

From these modest roots, his talent began to carry him into a new realm: the world of cinema. A pivotal moment came when he was asked to collaborate on the poster for the 1978 re-release of Star Wars. That poster effectively launched a career that would span more than 150 iconic film artworks.

Why Drew Struzans Art Matters

What made Drew Struzan’s work so wonderful—and so enduring—was not just his technical skill (though there was plenty of that) but his ability to capture emotion. He didn’t simply illustrate scenes; he evoked feelings. He made us anticipate adventure, intrigue, wonder. As one tribute put it: “His illustrations fully captured the excitement, tone and spirit of each of my films.” — George Lucas

His signature blend of air-brush technique with detailed pencil work, his ensemble compositions, his dramatic yet warm palette—all of these combined into pieces that became far more than “marketing art.” They became part of popular culture. He worked on the posters for films like:

• Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989) — where he gave Harrison Ford’s character a nobility of image.

• Back to the Future (1985) — one of the defining images of a generation.

• E.T. the Extra‑Terrestrial — where the artwork conveys warmth, magic, childhood wonder.

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In short: losing Drew is more than losing an individual artist. It is losing one of the visual historians of our collective cinema dreams.

The Man Behind the Brush

Drew wasn’t just a masterful artist—he was known for being genuinely humble, kind, and grounded. Despite the fame of his work, he remained connected to his family, his craft, and to the idea that art is about sharing something meaningful. In interviews, he often referred to love and hope, to creating something beautiful for people to feel.

Friends, collaborators, and fans remembered him as a “genial man” who made the effort to appreciate his supporters even as he battled Alzheimer’s in later years.

Our Love to His Family

We extend our heartfelt love and condolences to Drew’s wife, Dylan, to his son Christian, and to all his grandchildren and extended family. His legacy is in his artwork—and also in the warmth and generosity of the man he was. May they find comfort in the countless lives he touched through his work.

His Greatest Legacy

While it’s difficult to pick a single “greatest” poster (his body of work is staggering), we can highlight one or two pieces that stand out for how they encapsulate his gift:

• The poster for Star Wars (re-release) — this was the breakthrough, the moment his style became distinguished.

• The poster for Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade — where heroism, family, adventure are all visually interwoven.

• The poster for Back to the Future — iconic for the image of Michael J. Fox, the DeLorean, the sense of time and possibility.

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Each of these works did more than advertise a film—they became part of how we remember those films, how we remember ourselves when we first saw them.

What It Means to Lose Him

When an artist of Drew’s caliber departs, we lose not just the future works they might have created—but also the presence, the voice, the human being behind the art. We lose the possibility of new visual stories told in his unique way. We lose the gentle encouragement that our own creativity matters.

But at the same time, we are left with an extraordinary gift: over 150 posters, countless sketches, and a visual language that shaped our memories of some of the greatest films ever made. That gift remains—and in many ways it becomes sacred.

As we mourn his loss, we also celebrate his triumph: the way he made us feel, the way his art welcomed us into worlds of adventure, mystery, hope. And we remember the person—his humility, his craftsmanship, his love of family and art.

A Final Word

Drew Struzan’s season in this world may have ended, but his work—and the emotions it evokes—live on. Every time we see one of his posters, we’ll feel that surge of anticipation again: the opening fanfare of a film, the first frame, the promise of something wonderful about to begin.

Thank you, Drew. For the light you painted in our lives. For the images that gave our imaginations wings. For the man you were.

And to his family: you are in our thoughts and hearts. We honour him with love.

XO, Marie