Bob Mackie (1939-2026) American Fashion Designer and Costumier

Who Was Bob Mackie?

Bob Mackie was an American fashion designer and costumier whose sparkling, imaginative designs made him one of the most celebrated names in entertainment. Known alliteratively as the "Sultan of Sequins," the "Rajah of Rhinestones," and the "Guru of Glitter," he dressed some of the biggest stars in the world, including Cher, Carol Burnett, Tina Turner, Dolly Parton, Elton John, Diana Ross, and Barbra Streisand.

Mackie said, "A woman who wears my clothes is not afraid to be noticed." That philosophy defined his career. He was the costume designer for The Carol Burnett Show from 1967 to 1978 and created memorable ensembles for generations of entertainers.

He died on September 14, 2026, at the age of 87, in Palm Springs, California. His death was initially reported as being caused by pneumonia, but a death certificate later revealed he had also suffered a fall and head injury three days before his death.

Bob Mackie Cause of Death

Bob Mackie's cause of death was a subarachnoid hemorrhage and blunt head trauma, resulting from a fall. A death certificate obtained by Us Weekly revealed that Mackie fell at the home of his longtime design director, Joseph McFate, on September 11, 2026, three days before his death.

The certificate lists Mackie's immediate cause of death as a subarachnoid hemorrhage and blunt head trauma. According to the Mayo Clinic, a subarachnoid hemorrhage is a type of stroke that involves bleeding in the space between the brain and the tissues that cover the brain. It can be caused by an aneurysm or head injury.

A representative for Mackie clarified that the designer was staying in the guest house at McFate's home at the time of his fall. "A healthcare professional was with him when he fell," the rep said. The rep also confirmed that Mackie "was also suffering from pneumonia both before and after his hospitalization."

Mackie was initially reported to have died of pneumonia. His publicist told the Associated Press that the renowned designer died of pneumonia, but the death certificate painted a fuller picture. He died three days after the fall, on September 14, 2026, at Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, California.

According to the death certificate, Mackie was cremated on September 17, 2026, and his ashes were scattered off the coast of San Diego County.

Early Life and Education

Bob Mackie was born Robert Gordon Mackie on March 24, 1939, in Monterey Park, California. His father, Charles Robert Mackie, worked at Bank of America, and his mother was Mildred Agnes (née Smith) Mackie. He had an older sister.

Mackie was raised in early childhood by his maternal grandparents in Alhambra, California, because his parents divorced. By high school, he had moved to Rosemead, California, and lived with his father. He attended Rosemead High School.

He continued his education at Pasadena City College and studied for one year at the Chouinard Art Institute, but left without earning a degree from either school. At Chouinard, Mackie studied under Eva Roberts, the head of the fashion design department. He left Chouinard early because he got his first job sketching for Frank Thompson at Paramount Studios.

Between 1960 and 1963, Mackie worked as a novice designer and assistant under designer Ray Aghayan at Paramount Studios. This would become both a professional and personal partnership that lasted for decades.

Career

1960–1969: Early Career

While working at Paramount Studios, costumer Edith Head engaged Mackie to work on the 1963 films Donovan's Reef and A New Kind of Love. Mackie said, "Edith Head taught me not so much about designing as how to handle producers, directors, and actors. Her public relations were superb."

In his early career, Mackie worked as a sketch artist for French haute couturier Jean Louis, who crafted stage gowns worn by Marlene Dietrich. As one of his first assignments, he drew the original sketch of Marilyn Monroe's dress worn in 1962 at President John F. Kennedy's birthday celebration at Madison Square Garden.

In 1966, Mackie was hired by Mitzi Gaynor to design her new stage show at the Riviera in Las Vegas. Gaynor was the first star client for whom Mackie designed an entire show. He would continue to design for her television specials and live stage shows for the next 50 years, winning two Emmy Awards for his work on her TV specials.

In 1969, Mackie was hired to design costumes for Diana Ross, the Supremes, and the Temptations in the television special G.I.T. on Broadway. In 1972, he and Aghayan were nominated for the Academy Award for Best Costume Design for Lady Sings the Blues, starring Ross.

1970–1989: Rise to Fame

Mackie designed costumes for the Las Vegas Strip-based burlesque shows Hallelujah Hollywood, which ran at the MGM Grand from 1974 to 1980, and Jubilee!, which ran from 1981 to 2016. Both productions involved intricate, elaborate costumes. Elton John's Donald Duck, sequined Los Angeles Dodgers, and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart concert costumes were also designed by Mackie.

He designed the exotic ensemble worn by Cher at the 58th Academy Awards in March 1986: black stretch pants, a bejeweled loincloth, knee-high boots, a black chainlink top, and a huge feathered Mohawk headdress that was one-and-a-half times taller than her head. She was introduced by Jane Fonda with the words, "Wait'll you see what's gonna come out here." "As you can see," said Cher, "I did receive my Academy booklet on how to dress like a serious actress."

Mackie designed costumes for Whitney Houston, especially splashy evening gowns which she wore for many years during concert tours and award shows. He won nine Primetime Emmy Awards for his designs and was nominated three times for an Academy Award.

In 1981, Mackie guest-starred as himself on two episodes of the television series The Love Boat. In 2002, Mackie was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame.

1990–2026: Later Career

Mackie designed Liza Minnelli's wedding dress for her 2002 wedding to David Gest. His biographer, Frank Vlastnik, described Mackie as the "Crown Prince of the Imperial Monarchy of the Island of Bling."

During his final years, Mackie was mainly known as the costume designer for Cher's elaborate outfits during her latest tours, including the Here We Go Again Tour. He created the costumes for Cher's 2008–11 Las Vegas residency at Caesars Palace, as well as for her 2017 Classic Cher shows. Mackie won the Tony Award for Best Costume Design in a Musical for his work on The Cher Show in 2019.

On January 24, 2026, the Palm Springs Art Museum honored Mackie at its Art Party 2026 Gala. In connection with the Gala, the Museum exhibited Reflections of Glamour: Bob Mackie, an exhibit featuring five of his gowns and sketches of his work from the 1970s to the 2000s.

The Carol Burnett Show

Mackie created all of the costumes, including evening gowns, character outfits, and dance clothing for guests during the run of The Carol Burnett Show. This included the famous curtain dress from the "Went with the Wind!" sketch, which was donated to the Smithsonian Institution.

Carol Burnett credited Mackie with coming up with other comedic touches for the show's various characters, such as the tight-legged skirt for Mr. Tudball's secretary, Mrs. Wanda Wiggins. She told Mackie the skirt was too baggy in the back for her physique, but he told her to stick her bottom out to fill it, resulting in the character's distinctive posture and walk.

Burnett estimated that Mackie had created 17,000 outfits for the show. She praised him by saying, "There are fashion designers, but they can't do costumes. And then there are costume designers that don't do fashion. But Bob does it all. He's the whole ball of wax."

Collaboration with Mattel

Mattel, manufacturer of Barbie dolls, approached Mackie in the late 1980s to design clothes for a Barbie. The first limited-edition doll he designed had a gold outfit with a sequined skirt, feather boa, and long ponytail, and made its debut in 1990.

Mackie was the first designer to also be involved with changes to the face and hair. A closed-mouth smile became known as the "Mackie sculpt" and was popular with collectors. He created outfits that were glamour-related or fantasy-related, instead of traditional work uniforms.

Part of the innovation Mackie brought to the dolls was insisting on having different ethnicities and traditional garb represented. He drew on his experiences with the many women he worked with in fashion shows and felt the dolls should be as varied as the real women in the world.

Notable Clients

Bob Mackie dressed some of the most iconic names in entertainment over his long career. His notable clients included:

• Cher
• Carol Burnett
• Tina Turner
• Dolly Parton
• Elton John
• Diana Ross
• Barbra Streisand
• Liza Minnelli
• Bette Midler
• Ann-Margret
• Mitzi Gaynor
• Whitney Houston
• Madonna
• Beyoncé
• Miley Cyrus
• Sabrina Carpenter
• Taylor Swift
• RuPaul
• Oprah Winfrey

Personal Life

On March 14, 1960, Mackie married LuLu Porter (née Marianne Wolford), a singer and actress, and later an acting teacher. The couple divorced in 1963. They had a son, Robert Gordon Mackie Jr. (known as Robin), who died in 1993 at the age of 33 of an HIV/AIDS-related illness due to drug use, predeceasing his parents.

Mackie and Porter remained very close throughout the years and later discovered that they shared a granddaughter, with whom they enjoyed a close relationship and two great-grandchildren.

Beginning in 1963, Mackie's significant other was costume designer Ray Aghayan, with whom Mackie worked as an assistant. The two worked together through the 1970s, as well as having separate clients. They remained together until Aghayan's death in 2011.

Mackie is survived by his granddaughter Alyssa Townsend, his great-granddaughters Kyla and Keira Townsend, and his former wife Lulu Porter.

In Popular Culture

Bob Mackie is a character in the jukebox musical The Cher Show. He appears as himself in HBO Max's Hacks season 5 episode 7, "Montecito," when Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) calls him to ask who owns his jumpsuit Carol Burnett wore in the final episode of The Carol Burnett Show.

Mackie was awarded the inaugural Giving Us Life-time Achievement Award by RuPaul at the RuPaul's Drag Race season 15 finale in 2023.

Awards and Nominations

Bob Mackie received numerous awards and nominations throughout his career. He received ten Emmy Awards from 32 nominations, a Tony Award for Best Costume Design in a Musical for The Cher Show in 2019, and three Academy Award nominations for Lady Sings the Blues, Funny Lady, and Pennies from Heaven.

He was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame in 2002. He also received honorary awards including the Disaronno Career Achievement in Television Award from the Costume Designers Guild in 1999, the Governor's Award from the American Choreography Awards in 2001, the Legend Award for The Carol Burnett Show from the TV Land Awards in 2005, and the Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America in 2016.

Tributes and Reactions

Following Mackie's death, stars dressed by the designer posted tributes. Elton John said he was saddened by the news of Mackie's death, writing, "Every time I put something on that Bob made, I felt very, very special. His costumes were works of art, and he will go down as one of the most legendary designers ever in Hollywood."

Cher also weighed in, posting a tribute to Mackie on X that read: "Bob has gone up to heaven. Knowing him, he's bringing Sequins, Beads, & his sketch pad. Good nite sweet Prince."

Fellow fashion designer Tom Ford told The Times in a 2019 email: "Costume designers have long been overlooked for the importance of their work in creating and influencing mainstream contemporary fashion. Bob Mackie's work has influenced fashion in a dramatic way, in that many of the body fitting, seemingly transparent and heavily beaded gowns that are worn on red carpets today are derivative of his work for stars like Diana Ross and Cher."

Legacy

Bob Mackie's legacy is one of glamour, creativity, and innovation. He dressed some of the most iconic women in entertainment history and created looks that became part of pop culture. His designs brought beauty and sparkle to television, film, and stage, and his influence continues to inspire fashion and costume designers today.

His famous quote — that his clothes are "for the woman who is not afraid to be noticed" — became a mantra for many in the fashion industry. As Tom Ford said, that quote "is one of my mantras."

Mackie's work on The Carol Burnett Show, his collaborations with Cher, and his Barbie dolls introduced cultural diversity and unapologetic glamour to mainstream audiences. He was a true original, and his legacy will live on through his designs.

Rest in peace, Bob Mackie.

Frequently Asked Questions: Bob Mackie

Who was Bob Mackie?

Bob Mackie (March 24, 1939 – September 14, 2026) was an American fashion designer and costumier. He was best known for dressing entertainment icons including Cher, Carol Burnett, Tina Turner, Dolly Parton, Elton John, and Diana Ross. He was known as the "Sultan of Sequins" and the "King of Camp."

How did Bob Mackie die?

Bob Mackie died on September 14, 2026, at the age of 87, at Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, California. His initial cause of death was reported as pneumonia, but a death certificate later revealed he had also suffered a fall and head injury three days before his death.

What was Bob Mackie's cause of death?

Bob Mackie's immediate cause of death was listed on his death certificate as a subarachnoid hemorrhage and blunt head trauma, resulting from a fall at the home of his longtime design director, Joseph McFate, on September 11, 2026. He was also suffering from pneumonia both before and after his hospitalization. He died three days later on September 14, 2026.

When did Bob Mackie die?

Bob Mackie died on September 14, 2026, at the age of 87. He died at Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, California.

How old was Bob Mackie when he died?

Bob Mackie was 87 years old when he died on September 14, 2026. He was born on March 24, 1939, in Monterey Park, California.

Where was Bob Mackie born?

Bob Mackie was born Robert Gordon Mackie on March 24, 1939, in Monterey Park, California. He was raised in Alhambra and later Rosemead, California. He attended Pasadena City College and the Chouinard Art Institute.

What was Bob Mackie famous for?

Bob Mackie was famous for his sparkling and imaginative costume designs for entertainment icons. He was the costume designer for The Carol Burnett Show from 1967 to 1978 and created memorable ensembles for Cher, Tina Turner, Dolly Parton, Elton John, and Sabrina Carpenter. He was known as the "Sultan of Sequins."

What was Bob Mackie's connection to Cher?

Bob Mackie was Cher's longtime costume designer, creating some of her most iconic looks over decades. He designed her famous 1986 Academy Awards outfit — black stretch pants, a bejeweled loincloth, knee-high boots, and a huge feathered Mohawk headdress. He also designed costumes for her Las Vegas residencies and tours, and won a Tony Award for The Cher Show in 2019.

What was Bob Mackie's connection to The Carol Burnett Show?

Bob Mackie was the costume designer for The Carol Burnett Show from 1967 to 1978. He created all of the costumes, including the famous curtain dress from the "Went with the Wind!" sketch, which was donated to the Smithsonian Institution. Carol Burnett estimated that Mackie created 17,000 outfits for the show.

What awards did Bob Mackie win?

Bob Mackie received ten Emmy Awards from 32 nominations, a Tony Award for Best Costume Design in a Musical for The Cher Show in 2019, and three Academy Award nominations for Lady Sings the Blues, Funny Lady, and Pennies from Heaven. He was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame in 2002.

What was Bob Mackie's net worth?

There is no reliable, publicly verified estimate of Bob Mackie's personal net worth. He had a long and successful career as a fashion and costume designer, working with some of the biggest names in entertainment. His finances were never publicly disclosed.

What was Bob Mackie's connection to Barbie?

Mattel approached Bob Mackie in the late 1980s to design clothes for a Barbie doll. His first limited-edition doll debuted in 1990. He was the first designer to also be involved with changes to the face and hair, and he introduced cultural diversity to Barbie's features and outfits. A closed-mouth smile became known as the "Mackie sculpt."

Who was Bob Mackie's partner?

Bob Mackie's significant other was costume designer Ray Aghayan, with whom he worked as an assistant beginning in 1963. They remained together until Aghayan's death in 2011. Mackie was previously married to LuLu Porter from 1960 to 1963, with whom he had a son, Robin.

What was Bob Mackie's family?

Bob Mackie was married to LuLu Porter from 1960 to 1963. They had a son, Robert Gordon Mackie Jr. (known as Robin), who died in 1993 at age 33 of an HIV/AIDS-related illness. Mackie is survived by his granddaughter Alyssa Townsend, his great-granddaughters Kyla and Keira Townsend, and his former wife Lulu Porter.

What was Bob Mackie's legacy?

Bob Mackie's legacy is one of glamour, creativity, and innovation. He dressed some of the most iconic women in entertainment history and created looks that became part of pop culture. His designs brought beauty and sparkle to television, film, and stage, and his influence continues to inspire fashion and costume designers today. As Tom Ford said, his work "has influenced fashion in a dramatic way."