It is with deep sadness that the art and entertainment world mourns the passing of Drew Struzan, the legendary illustrator whose work helped define pop culture across decades. Drew passed away on October 13, 2025, at the age of 78, after living with Alzheimer’s disease.
To moviegoers, his name might not have always been front and centre, but his art most certainly was. From the sweeping adventure of Indiana Jones to the galaxy far, far away of Star Wars, Drew’s painted posters captured the very soul of cinema. His work wasn’t just promotional — it was mythmaking, visual poetry that gave us heroes, wonder, and nostalgia.
Born in 1947, Drew Struzan studied at the Art Center College of Design, where he immersed himself in drawing and painting. He began his career in the 1960s designing album covers, at a time when record sleeves were as treasured as the vinyl inside. His paintings graced covers for the Beach Boys, Alice Cooper, Earth, Wind & Fire, and Black Sabbath. In that vibrant era, people didn’t just listen to music — they lived with it, displayed it, and often hung the artwork proudly on their walls.
Hollywood came calling soon after. Through the 1970s, 80s, and 90s, Struzan’s work became the gold standard for film posters. His brush created unforgettable images for Back to the Future, E.T., Blade Runner, The Goonies, Hook, and countless others. Directors such as George Lucas, Steven Spielberg, and Guillermo del Toro requested him by name. His art evoked a feeling — one of timeless adventure, nostalgia, and human connection — that digital posters today rarely capture.
After an extraordinary career, Drew officially retired in 2015, following the completion of his final piece for Star Wars: The Force Awakens. In his later years, he painted only for himself, choosing subjects that spoke to his heart while occasionally meeting fans at conventions.
A Link to Michael Jackson’s HIStory
For fans of Michael Jackson, Drew Struzan’s name carries an unexpected connection. During the early conceptual phase of Michael’s 1995 masterpiece HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I, Drew was among the artists invited to create preliminary illustrations for the album’s visual identity.
At that time, Michael and his creative team were exploring bold visual directions — something that could represent both the man and the myth, the past and the future. Struzan, whose artistry had already defined the mythic heroism of Indiana Jones and Luke Skywalker, was a natural choice.
Working from reference materials that included Michael’s striking Super Bowl XXVII performance costume, Struzan produced several conceptual drawings. His early designs captured the same monumental energy and symbolism that would eventually define HIStory — the strength, resilience, and power of a modern icon standing above the world he helped shape.
Although Struzan’s work did not become the final album cover — Michael ultimately chose the now-iconic statue image, sculpted by Diana Walczak and photographed by Timothy White — Drew’s concepts remain an important part of the album’s creative story. They reflect the scale of ambition that both artist and musician shared: the desire to turn music into myth, and image into immortality.
In the HIStory era, every detail was a statement. Struzan’s involvement, even briefly, adds another layer to Michael’s meticulous approach to visual art — one that sought collaboration with the very best in their craft. It’s a fitting connection: the King of Pop and the King of the Movie Poster, both dedicated to creating moments that would live forever.
A Life of Love, Beauty, and Art
Following his passing, the Struzan family shared a heartfelt statement:
“DREW WAS A FORCE OF NATURE. Like a whirlwind, he could not be stopped nor tamed nor manipulated. His power never waned. The disease, this particular disease, took the wind out of him. He could no longer speak his language out loud. We respected his tenacity — his ability to hold on to the fire within that continued to rage.
Daily he tended the flame reviewing the paintings of those he long admired — Van Gogh, Gauguin, Cézanne — the Impressionists who fought diligently against the status quo. Those who asked the viewer to see things differently, to embrace the illusions of life, all the best parts fractured into meaningful bits of beauty.
He looked through rose-colored glasses so he could impart to us a better version of life. That’s what drew people to him — his kindness, his hope, his love of beautiful things. It was our honor to nurture that glow. Please take a moment to reflect on what he brought to you. Life should be full of love and beauty.”
Drew Struzan’s legacy will continue to inspire artists, musicians, and dreamers for generations. For Michael Jackson fans, it’s worth remembering that one of the greatest visual storytellers of our time briefly lent his imagination to the world of HIStory — and in doing so, bridged the magic of music and art in a way only Drew could.
He taught us that every stroke of the brush, like every beat of a song, can tell a story worth remembering.
Rest in peace, Drew Struzan — your art will live on.
