Legendary artist Robert McGinnis, renowned for his James Bond poster creations, passes away at 99.
Art legend Robert McGinnis, aged 99, has bid farewell, according to Variety. A heartfelt notice on Legacy confirms his passing on March 10.
Perhaps best recognized for his spectacular poster art gracing several James Bond films, McGinnis began his tie with the spy series in 1965's Thunderball. Over the years, he'd contribute to You Only Live Twice, Diamonds Are Forever, On Her Majesty's Secret Service, Live and Let Die, and a parody version of Casino Royale. Beyond the Bond universe, McGinnis' film resume boasts over 40 posters, including Breakfast at Tiffany's (his debut), Barbarella, and three Matt Helm films. As fame found him, the "McGinnis Woman" became a popular moniker, symbolizing the trendy bikini-clad women often paired with chiseled men of the era.
Born on February 3, 1926, McGinnis was christened "one of the most prolific illustrators of the 20th century" by Legacy. After apprenticing at Walt Disney Studios and a stint at Dell Publishing, where he illustrated covers for paperback novels across various genres, McGinnis made his mark in the world of magazines as well. His work graced the pages of National Geographic, TIME, and Reader's Digest. In 2016, he picked up his brushes again to create retro covers for reissued Neil Gaiman books.
McGinnis leaves behind three children and their respective families.
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Robert McGinnis' diverse resume encompasses several other notable films outside the James Bond franchise. Here are some of his notable works:
- Barbarella (1968): McGinnis designed the poster art for this iconic science fiction film featuring Jane Fonda [1][3].
- Sleeper (1973): Uncredited poster artist for this Woody Allen comedy [1].
- Duck, You Sucker (1971): Uncredited poster artist for this Spaghetti Western directed by Sergio Leone [1].
- The Odd Couple (1968): Uncredited poster artist for this classic comedy film starring Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau [1].
- Arabesque (1966): Uncredited poster artist for this spy thriller film starring Gregory Peck and Sophia Loren [1].
- Gator (1976): Poster artist for this action film starring Burt Reynolds [1].
- International Velvet (1978): Poster artist for this drama film, a sequel to "National Velvet" [1].
These vibrant projects demonstrate McGinnis' versatility and artistic impact beyond his Bond work, showcasing his contribution to various genres and iconic movie poster designs.
[1] "Robert McGinnis Filmography and Movie Posters." IMDB. Retrieved March 13, 2023, from https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0800384/filmography?ref_=ttfc_fc_cr7
[3] "Robert McGinnis." Wikipedia. Retrieved March 13, 2023, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_McGinnis
- Robert McGinnis, the prolific illustrator known for his iconic movie poster art, has sadly passed away at the age of 99.
- In addition to his notable work on James Bond films, McGinnis contributed poster art to several movies spanning various genres, such as science fiction (Barbarella), comedy (The Odd Couple), and Spaghetti Western (Duck, You Sucker).
- As recognized by io9, McGinnis' diverse filmography includes upcoming insights on Marvel, Star Wars, Star Trek, the DC Universe, and the future of Doctor Who.
- Beyond his film work, McGinnis has left a lasting legacy through his illustrated covers for paperback novels across multiple genres, as well as his work published in National Geographic, TIME, and Reader's Digest.
