Noted artwork creator Robert McGinnis, famous for his James Bond posters, passes away at 99 years old.
Robert McGinnis, a prolific illustrator and painter, passed away at the age of 99. Born on February 3, 1926, McGinnis began his career as an apprentice at Walt Disney Studios and later worked at Dell Publishing.
McGinnis is primarily known for creating the poster art for various James Bond films, including Thunderball, You Only Live Twice, Diamonds Are Forever, On Her Majesty's Secret Service, Live and Let Die, and a parody version of Casino Royale. His influence in the mid-20th century extended beyond the spy franchise, with over 40 movie posters to his name, including Breakfast at Tiffany's, Barbarella, and three Matt Helm films.
Besides his famous film work, McGinnis's career was marked by extensive illustration work on paperback novels. He illustrated covers for various genres, including detective fiction, horror, and fantasy, at Dell Publishing. His distinctive style, characterised by the "McGinnis Woman" – bikini-clad women often paired with chiseled men – made his work highly regarded and collectible.
In addition to his film and novel work, McGinnis's art could be seen in magazines such as National Geographic, TIME, and Reader's Digest. His career was further enriched by fine art paintings, particularly landscapes of the Old West, and contributions to the religious magazine Guidepost. In 1993, McGinnis was inducted into the Society of Illustrators Hall of Fame.
In 2016, McGinnis started drawing retro covers for reissued Neil Gaiman books. One of his last notable projects was a poster for Pixar director Brad Bird’s animated film.
McGinnis is survived by his three children and their individual families. According to the obituary site Legacy, McGinnis is described as "one of the most prolific illustrators of the 20th century." His career can be characterised by extensive illustration work on paperback novels spanning genres like romance and pulp fiction, iconic movie poster work largely for James Bond films, fine art focusing on the American Old West, recognition by major art institutions like the Society of Illustrators, contributions to magazine and film animation-related poster art, and his significant impact on the mid-20th century paperback romance and pulp novel cover art.
- Technology outlets such as io9 and Gizmodo paid tribute to McGinnis, discussing his impact on the future of entertainment, with his distinctive style leading the way in movies-and-tv category, including the iconic James Bond poster art that influenced many movie poster designs.
- In the realm of entertainment, McGinnis's innovative work transcended beyond mid-20th century, leaving a lasting legacy in movies, novels, magazine covers, fine art, and even animation.
- As digital media platforms continue to evolve, McGinnis's impact on the entertainment industry still resonates, making him an enduring figure in the world of technology and the arts.
