Drew Struzan, the Legendary Poster Artist Behind Iconic ‘Star Wars’ Art, Dies at 78

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Drew Struzan, the celebrated artist behind many famous movie posters, died on October 13, 2025, at the age of 78. The news was shared on his official Instagram account, DrewStruzanArt, which noted how much joy he found in knowing people appreciated his work. Born in Oregon City, Oregon, on March 18, 1947, Struzan began illustrating at a young age and became known for his distinctive airbrush style and vibrant, colorful artwork.

Drew Struzan first gained widespread recognition for his album cover art, notably for Alice Cooper’s 1975 album, “Welcome to My Nightmare,” which *Rolling Stone Magazine* later named one of the best album covers ever made. He initially built his career designing posters for lower-budget films, but his work on the 1978 re-release poster for *Star Wars* launched him to fame. He became one of the most sought-after movie poster artists, creating the memorable images for films like the *Back to the Future* trilogy, *Blade Runner*, *The Thing*, *The Muppet Movie*, *E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial*, *Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone*, and the entire *Indiana Jones* series—starting with an international poster for *Raiders of the Lost Ark*. You can find examples of his artwork in the post from DiscussingFilm.

Drew Struzan’s Work Defined a Generation of Movies

As digital editing became more common in movie poster design during the 1990s and 2000s, fewer people hired Drew Struzan. However, George Lucas continued to request Struzan’s work, commissioning him for the 1997 *Star Wars* Special Edition posters and all of the prequel films. Struzan also created the poster for *Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull*. His iconic style is so strongly associated with *Star Wars* and *Indiana Jones* that newer releases in those franchises are trying to recreate it. Beyond film, Struzan also produced artwork for events and comics, including the cover for *Action Comics* #800 in 2003.

Drew Struzan first retired in September 2008, right after the release of *Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull*. However, he occasionally returned to work for special projects, such as creating a poster for *Star Wars: The Force Awakens* in 2015 and another celebrating the *How to Train Your Dragon* trilogy in 2019. In March 2025, his wife, Dylan, shared that he had been battling Alzheimer’s disease for some time. She posted on Facebook that he was seriously ill and no longer able to paint or sign autographs for his fans. He passed away six months later.

Drew Struzan was a hugely influential artist in the world of film. Though many don’t recognize his name, his iconic movie posters are instantly recognizable. For almost 50 years, his work went beyond simple advertising – they were captivating pieces of art that truly defined the look of film promotion. He revolutionized movie poster design and created a style that resonated with a generation. His posters for classics like *Indiana Jones*, *Star Wars*, *The Thing*, and *Back to the Future* will continue to be admired for years to come. Though he has passed away, Struzan’s artistic legacy will endure.

Rest in Peace, Drew Struzan. Mar. 18, 1947 – Oct. 13, 2025.

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2025-10-14 22:14