Drew Struzan: The Story of the Artist Who Created the Posters for Iconic 80s Movies

The work of Drew Struzan is familiar to everyone, even those who have never heard his name. After all, he created the iconic posters for Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Back to the Future, and dozens of other classic films. His works are more than just posters; they are part of cinematic mythology, evoking nostalgia and delight in millions of viewers. But what was the path of the artist who managed to paint the very face of Hollywood?

Drew Struzan was born on March 14, 1947, in Oregon City, Oregon, USA. He drew from an early age, so his parents weren't surprised when, after finishing school, he declared he wanted to be an artist. In 1965, at age 18, he enrolled at the Central Art College of Design in West Los Angeles, California.

The artist later recalled: in his first year, his mentor revealed the truth to him. He had two paths. The first was to become an artist and draw whatever he wanted. The second was to become an illustrator, drawing to order but not needing money. The young man chose the latter.

During his five years of study, Struzan completed many significant commissions. After receiving his Bachelor of Arts degree, he found work. While working on studio projects, the artist managed to teach at his college.

Teaching didn't stop him from earning money. He was hired by the design studio at Pacific Eye & Ear. There, the artist created album covers for Tony Orlando and Dawn, The Beach Boys, Bee Gees, Roy Orbison, Black Sabbath, Glenn Miller, Iron Butterfly, Bach, Earth, Wind & Fire, and Liberace.

The talented illustrator quickly gained recognition. Rolling Stone magazine included the cover of Alice Cooper's "Welcome to My Nightmare" in its "Top 100 Best Album Covers of All Time." But his income remained modest: Drew's agency fee for a cover was $150-$250.

The artist was forced to open his own business. The studio "Pencil Pushers," where Struzan worked with a friend, lasted seven years. Airbrushing became his calling card. In 1975, Drew began designing movie posters.

His credits include work on iconic films of the 1970s and 1980s: Back to the Future, Star Wars, The Goonies, The Shawshank Redemption, Police Academy, Blade Runner, and Indiana Jones. He later created VHS covers, video game covers, advertising posters, and amusement park posters.

In the 1990s, Drew drew comics and designed video games. Hollywood wouldn't let him go: posters for Hook, Hellboy, and Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone were his work. In 2008, the artist designed Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull and announced his retirement. But he continued to create for the soul until the end. Drew Struzan died on October 13, 2025, at the age of 78.

Today, as digital posters and neural networks replace handcrafted artwork, Drew Struzan's paintings are becoming increasingly valuable. His style is unmistakable—it's filled with warmth, nostalgia, and a love of cinema. What do you think: can modern posters evoke the same emotions as Struzan's paintings, or has the magic vanished with the master's brush?