Drew Struzan Cause of Death Revealed: Legendary Movie Poster Artist Dies at 78

Drew Struzan, the legendary artist behind some of the most iconic movie posters in cinema history, has died at the age of 78. His cause of death was confirmed as complications from Alzheimer’s disease, following a long battle with the illness. Struzan passed away on October 13, 2025, his wife Dylan Struzan confirmed to NPR.

Known for crafting the unforgettable visual identities of beloved franchises like Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Back to the Future, and Harry Potter, Struzan’s work shaped the visual language of blockbuster cinema for nearly five decades. His death marks the end of an era for hand-painted poster art, a form he elevated into cinematic storytelling itself.

Drew Struzan Cause of Death Confirmed After Long Battle With Alzheimer’s

Struzan’s passing was announced in a statement shared on his official Instagram account, which read: “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.”

Dylan Struzan, his wife and collaborator, confirmed to NPR that the artist died from complications of Alzheimer’s disease, a condition he had been battling for several years. Despite the illness, Struzan remained connected to his art and fans until his final days.

Born in Oregon in 1947, Struzan moved to Los Angeles in the 1960s to study at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena. He began his career designing album covers for iconic bands like Earth, Wind & Fire and the Bee Gees before transitioning to film posters in the late 1970s. His career skyrocketed in 1978 when Lucasfilm hired him to co-design a new poster for the re-release of the original Star Wars. That commission launched a storied career that would see Struzan become the go-to illustrator for Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, and other Hollywood legends.

Struzan’s distinctive style—lush realism, vibrant colors, and a painterly ability to capture the soul of a story—turned posters into works of art. Spielberg once said Struzan’s artwork set such a high standard that the films themselves “had to almost live up to” the promise of his posters.

Tributes Pour In for the Artist Who Defined Hollywood’s Golden Era

News of Struzan’s death sparked an outpouring of tributes from across the entertainment world. Guillermo del Toro wrote on Bluesky, “The world lost a genial man, a genius communicator, and a supreme artist. I lost a friend – beloved Drew.” Jim Lee, chief creative officer and publisher of DC Comics, praised Struzan for capturing “the humanity, power, and emotion” of film characters “in ways not seen since.”

Mark Hamill, whose portrayal of Luke Skywalker was immortalized in several of Struzan’s Star Wars posters, also shared his grief on social media, calling Struzan’s art “timeless and magical.” Fans echoed those sentiments, sharing memories of first seeing his posters outside movie theaters and feeling transported before even stepping inside.

Beyond their beauty, Struzan’s posters shaped how audiences connected with stories. His paintings for films like Blade Runner, The Thing, and E.T. became as iconic as the movies themselves. They distilled the emotion, mystery, and adventure of cinema into a single image—an art form that Struzan believed should evoke possibility rather than explain too much.

“Telling the story in a poster is wrong for a movie,” Struzan said in a 2021 interview with Slashfilm. “I’m looking to give a person a feeling about something they could hope for. I design a composition that is open-ended. The viewer explores the subject from their point of view.”

Struzan often refused to pick a favorite piece from his vast portfolio, telling Los Angeles Magazine in 2013, “If I had a favorite, then I would have already done the best I can do. My favorite is always the very next one.”

Struzan’s passing leaves behind an unparalleled legacy that will continue to inspire generations of artists and movie lovers. His work defined the visual identity of modern cinema—and in many ways, the dreams of those who grew up watching it.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: What was Drew Struzan’s cause of death?

Drew Struzan died from complications of Alzheimer’s disease on October 13, 2025, after a years-long battle with the illness.

Q2: How old was Drew Struzan when he died?

Struzan was 78 years old at the time of his death.

Q3: What are some of Drew Struzan’s most famous works?

He illustrated posters for iconic films including Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Back to the Future, Harry Potter, Blade Runner, and The Thing.

Q4: When did Drew Struzan begin his movie poster career?

Struzan’s film poster career began in 1978 when Lucasfilm commissioned him for a re-release poster for the original Star Wars.

Q5: What was Drew Struzan’s artistic philosophy?

Struzan believed posters should evoke emotion and possibility rather than tell the story outright, leaving room for the viewer’s imagination.