Drew Struzan, the highly acclaimed artist celebrated for his iconic film poster designs for movies such as “Star Wars,” “Back to the Future,” and “Blade Runner,” passed away on Monday at the age of 78. His death was announced via a statement on his Instagram account by his brother, Greg Struzan, who conveyed Drew’s profound joy in knowing how much his art was appreciated by fans. Frequent collaborator Steven Spielberg lauded Struzan’s legacy, describing his work as “event art” that transformed movies into destinations, with his photorealistic imagery instantly recalling cinematic memories.

Struzan’s artistic journey began after enrolling at the ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena, where he supported his studies by selling artwork and taking small commissions. While residing in Los Angeles, he secured a position as a local artist at Pacific Eye & Ear, working under the guidance of Ernie Cefalu. During this period, Struzan diversified his portfolio by designing album covers for prominent artists including The Beach Boys, Bee Gees, and Earth, Wind & Fire. Notably, he illustrated Alice Cooper’s “Welcome to My Nightmare” album cover, charging between $150 and $250 per drawing.

His transition into creating promotional movie posters commenced in 1975, initially contributing artwork for smaller-budget films like “Empire of the Ants” and “Squirm.” A pivotal moment in his career arrived in 1978 when artist Charles White III, commissioned by David Weitzner (Vice President of Advertising at 20th Century Fox), enlisted Struzan’s expertise to create a new poster design for the re-release of “Star Wars.” Struzan focused on painting the human characters in oil, complementing White’s work on the mechanical details and ships.

Following his impactful contribution to “Star Wars,” Struzan’s talent became synonymous with Hollywood blockbusters. He went on to illustrate posters for a remarkable array of films, including “Blade Runner,” “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade,” “Coming to America,” “The Goonies,” and “The Muppet Movie.” His distinctive style, characterized by its photorealism and dynamic composition, cemented his status as a legendary figure in film advertising.

Into the 2000s, Struzan continued his prolific career, notably working on Steven Spielberg’s “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.” He officially announced his retirement in 2008, though his passion for art occasionally drew him back. He emerged from retirement on several occasions to design posters for significant projects, collaborating on campaigns for Stephen King’s “The Dark Tower,” “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” “Batkid Begins: The Wish Heard Around The World,” and the “How To Train Your Dragon” trilogy, demonstrating his enduring artistic relevance.

In 2013, Struzan’s life and work were chronicled in Erik Sharkey’s documentary, “Drew: The Man Behind The Poster.” The film offered an in-depth look at his creative process and impact, featuring interviews with celebrated collaborators such as George Lucas, Steven Spielberg, and Harrison Ford. Reflecting on his artistic philosophy in a 2021 interview with Slashfilm, Struzan explained his approach: “I felt that art was more than just telling the story. I’m looking to give a person a feeling about something they could hope for.” He emphasized his method of seeking out the directors’ intentions, finding the best in their vision, and then crafting compositions with carefully selected colors and images to evoke a sense of open-ended wonder for the viewer, considering his work successful when it achieved this emotional resonance.