Drew Struzan dead: Star Wars and Harry Potter legend dies after 'fighting for life'

A star who was famed for their works on the likes of Harry Potter and Star Wars has died aged 79. Movie poster legend Drew Struzan's wife said he had been "fighting for his life" before a spokesperson confirmed that he died yesterday, on October 13.

Struzan produced over 150 movie posters for franchises including Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Blade Runner, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Back to the Future, Harry Potter and so many more. In a tribute posted to the artist's Instagram page, a representative of the star wrote: "It is with a heavy heart that I must tell you that Drew Struzan has moved on from this world as of yesterday, October 13th. I feel it is important that you all know how many times he expressed to me the joy he felt knowing how much you appreciated his art. - Greg." Fans rushed to share their condolences and tributes to the late creator.

One wrote in the comments: "The greatest of all time. He will never be forgotten." Another added: "Very heartbreaking to read this and to wrap my mind around the finality of it all, of an amazing man and the legacy of incredible work. He has left us all with so much beauty to enjoy for generations to come.

"I know the past few years have been especially difficult and I can only hope that this gives him and all of his loved ones some sense of peace. RIP Drew."

While a third said: "Rest in Peace sir! One of my favourite Artists and probably the greatest Movie Poster Artist the world has ever seen!"

In March of this year, his wife shared that he had Alzheimer's in a Facebook post. "Drew can no longer paint or sign things for you," she wrote. "He is not enjoying a well-deserved retirement but rather fighting for his life."

Struzan began his career designing album covers for artists including the Beach Boys, the Bee Gees, Earth, Wind & Fire, Liberace and Black Sabbath. His cover for Alice Cooper's Welcome to My Nightmare was named one of the greatest ever by Rolling Stone.

Speaking about his work in a 2021 interview, the illustrator said: "I had to do something different, and I think that the trouble with a lot of early movie posters is that they looked too much like classic illustration, which feels like it's telling the whole story.

"I didn't want to do that. I felt that art was more than just telling the story. In fact, telling the story in a poster is wrong for a movie. I wasn't looking to tell a story. I'm looking to give a person a feeling about something they could hope for."