Tributes poured in Monday for legendary costume designer Bob Mackie, who crafted outfits for luminaries such as Cher and Diana Ross and served as the costume designer on “The Carol Burnett Show,” after he died Monday at age 87.
“It is with a heavy heart that we share the news that Mr. Bob Mackie passed away today,” according to an announcement on his social media pages. “He lived his 87 years to the fullest, fulfilling his dream of being a fashion and costume designer, which is all he ever wanted to do. His genius and extraordinary designs will live on forever, continuing to bring beauty into this world.”
The New York Times reported that Mackie died in Palm Springs, with People reporting that the cause of death was pneumonia.
Cher address the loss on Monday.
“My dear Bob has gone up to heaven,” she wrote on X. “Knowing him, he’s bringing Sequins, Beads, & his sketch pad. Good nite sweet Prince. Luv, Me.”
A Monterey Park native, Mackie got his start working with legendary costumer Edith Head at Paramount Studios, and he gained attention working with Mitzi Gaynor, earning a pair of Emmy nominations for his designs on Gaynor’s TV specials.
His first work with Diana Ross came in the late 1960s for a TV special, but he later earned an Oscar nomination for his work on the Ross film “Lady Sings the Blues.”
Ross posted a red-carpet photo of herself with Mackie on social media Monday following news of his death, writing simply, “So so sorry to hear this news.”
He gained particular notoriety for his work on “The Carol Burnett Show,” for which Burnett once said Mackie designed 50 outfits per week. His most memorable creation on the show was a curtain rod dress Burnett wore in a spoof “Gone with the Wind” sketch.
“Sadness doesn’t come close to how I feel,” Burnett wrote on her Instagram page Monday. “I loved him very much. As for his genius, there are fashion designers who don’t do costumes and there are costume designers who don’t do fashion. Bob did it all. There was no one like him.”
Mackie met Cher during his time working on “Carol Burnett,” and he went on to design many of her eye-catching and often risqué dresses and gowns.
Over the years he worked with celebrities including Judy Garland, Marlene Dietrich, Barbra Streisand, Donna Summer, Tina Turner, Lucille Ball and Ann-Margret.
Mackie received nine Primetime Emmy Awards and a Tony Award during his career, and was nominated three times for the Academy Award for Best Costume Design.
“Such a sad loss. You never felt sexier when wearing a @bobmackie gown,” actress Kim Cattrall posted on Instagram.
Actress Alyssa Milano wrote that she was “sending condolences to all who loved him. He was one of the best that ever was. And I’m proud to have a collection of his dresses.”