Trigger Warning: This article mentions death, reader discretion is advised.Albert Wolsky, the Oscar-winning costume designer behind ‘All That Jazz’, ‘Bugsy’ and ‘Grease’, has died aged 95. The French-born designer styled some of Hollywood’s most iconic screen looks over five decades, from Bob Fosse’s show-business world to Olivia Newton-John’s latest black outfits in “Grease.” His work moved between Broadway, musicals, dramas, thrillers and modern studio films with rare ease.
Albert Wolsky has died at the age of 95
The Hollywood Reporter reported that Wolsky died on Saturday, May 23 at his home in Los Angeles. His death was also confirmed by friends, colleagues and industry admirers, according to TheWrap. He was remembered as one of the most respected costume designers in film and theater.Wolsky won the Academy Award for Best Costume Design for Bob Fosse’s ‘All That Jazz’ and later won again for Warren Beatty’s ‘Bugsy’. He also earned Academy Award nominations for “Sophie’s Choice,” “The Journey of Natty Gann,” “Toys,” “Across the Universe” and “Revolutionary Road.”The Hollywood Reporter noted that Wolsky “set hearts racing” when she dressed Olivia Newton-John in “those body-hugging black sharkskin pants” for “Grease.” The look became one of the most famous costume moments of the 1978 musical, which also starred John Travolta.
Albert Wolsky’s films and the Oscar legacy
Wolsky was born in Paris in 1930. His family fled France to escape Nazi occupation during World War II. He later attended the City College of New York and served in the US Army from 1953 to 1956, spending much of that time in Japan.After his military service, Wolsky worked at his father’s travel agency before moving into costume design. He later assisted Broadway costume designer Helene Pons and worked on the original Broadway production of “Camelot.” He then built his own stage career before moving on to film.Early screen credits included ‘The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter’, ‘Harry and Tonto’, ‘The Gambler’, ‘Lenny’, ‘An Married Woman’, ‘Manhattan’ and ‘Grease’. He also designed costumes for ‘You’ve Got Mail’, ‘Galaxy Quest’, ‘Road to Perdition’, ‘Jarhead’, ‘Birdman’, ‘Ad Astra’, ‘The Woman in the Window’ and ‘Amsterdam’.Wolsky served four terms on the Academy’s governing board and received high honors from the Costume Designers Guild. Her longtime partner, ‘All My Children’ actor James Mitchell, died in 2010.
