His artistic style became emblematic of the iconic posters from Hollywood’s golden era of the late 1970s and 1980s, adorning the walls of bedrooms worldwide. Published on October 15, 2025, and last updated 48 minutes ago, this article highlights the legacy of Drew Struzan, who passed away on Monday after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. Photo by Mark Mainz / Getty Images North America / AFP.
Hollywood illustrator Drew Struzan, renowned for his legendary film posters for blockbuster movies like “E.T.,” “Star Wars,” and “Indiana Jones,” has died at the age of 78, leading to an outpouring of tributes.
Struzan was a favorite among directors Steven Spielberg and George Lucas, and his unique drawing style became synonymous with the posters of Hollywood’s late 1970s and 1980s, capturing the imaginations of teenagers around the globe.
His passing, following years of struggle with Alzheimer’s, was announced on Tuesday via a post on his Instagram account by his manager, who stated that Struzan had “moved on from this world as of October 13th.”
“His creativity, encapsulated in a single illustrated image, brought to life a vibrant world… even at a glance,” Lucas expressed in a statement on his company’s website. “I was fortunate to collaborate with him repeatedly.”
Spielberg remarked that Struzan “created event art” and noted, “nobody drew like Drew.” He added, “His posters transformed many of our films into destinations, and the memories of those movies, along with the ages we were when we first saw them, come rushing back with just a glance at his iconic photorealistic imagery,” as quoted by Variety.
Mexican director Guillermo del Toro shared on the Bluesky social media platform, “The world has lost a brilliant man, a genius communicator, and a supreme artist. I lost a friend — beloved Drew.”
Struzan began his career creating artwork for bands in the 1970s, including the Bee Gees and Black Sabbath, before transitioning to the film industry, where his hand-drawn posters set a standard for decades. His impressive portfolio includes over 150 films, such as “Blade Runner” and many others.