Bob Mackie

Costume Designer


The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents

02:26

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About
About this interview

In his three-hour interview, Bob Mackie recounts his earliest experiences in Hollywood working for respected designers Edith Head and Jean Louis. He discusses working with Ray Aghayan on The Judy Garland Show and recalls the notable television specials with which he was involved, including Brigadoon, Alice Through the Looking Glass, Carousel, and Kismet. Mackie details his eleven-year tenure on The Carol Burnett Show and explains the weekly requirements for designing costumes for the complex ensemble show. He speaks fondly of designing costumes for Burnett's most memorable characters: "Starlett O'Hara" from "Went with the Wind," dim-bulb secretary "Mrs. Wiggins," shrill "Eunice Harper Higgens," and fading legend "Nora Desmond". Mackie describes his successful collaboration with Cher, beginning with The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour and continuing with Cher, The Sonny and Cher Show, and her various television, concert, and public appearances (including her well-known Academy Award outfits). He also comments on his designs for Donny and Marie, The Diahann Carroll Show, and such feature films as Lady Sings the Blues and Funny Lady. He speaks about his then-most recent work, including a line of collectible dolls for Mattel's Barbie, more television collaborations with Carol Burnett, and television specials including Gypsy and Mrs. Santa Claus. Finally, he reminisces about designing for such performers as Bette Midler, Bernadette Peters, Carol Channing, Elton John, Dinah Shore, Ann-Margret, Mitzi Gaynor, and Lucille Ball. Jennifer Howard conducted the interview on June 29, 2000 in North Hollywood, CA.

All views expressed by interviewees are theirs alone and not necessarily those of the Television Academy.

"They'll probably say, 'He's the guy that did the curtain rod and the belly-button dresses.' What are you going to do? When you hit that many people all at once, they'll remember that."

People Talking About ...
Highlights
Bob Mackie on the famous curtain-rod dress he made for Carol Burnett in "Went With the Wind," a spoof of Gone With the Wind on The Carol Burnett Show
02:17
Bob Mackie on dressing Cher and her outrageous outfits
01:20
Bob Mackie on assisting with costume design on The Judy Garland Show
01:38
Bob Mackie on designing for Barbie
01:46
Bob Mackie on fabrics for television and the challenges of black and white
03:02
Bob Mackie on his design style
01:29
Full Interview

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Chapter 1

On his childhood and early influences; on his love of movies and Technicolor; on his designs in college and his first professional job at Paramount
On assisting Ray Aghayan on The Judy Garland Show; on working with Edith Head and Judy Garland
On television specials for Danny Thomas and Jimmy Durante; on Alice Through the Looking Glass

Chapter 2

On creating costumes for Alice Through the Looking Glass; on the 1960's fashions
On costume design for The Carol Burnett Show; on designing for film and Broadway; on designing for black and white television; on accommodating for star's pregnancy
On his inspiration for designs; on the famous curtain-rod dress he made for Carol Burnett in a spoof of Gone With the Wind on The Carol Burnett Show

Chapter 3

On working within constraints of a budget; on dealing with censorship of designs; on the cast and fashions of The Carol Burnett Show
On memorable characters and skits on The Carol Burnett Show -- "Mrs. Wiggins," "Eunice," "Mama Harper," "Nora Desmond," and "Zelda" 

Chapter 4

On "Charwoman" and his favorite costumes of The Carol Burnett Show; on Carol & Company; on television specials with Fred Astaire and Diana Ross
On working on The Carol Burnett Show and The Sonny and Cher Show at the same time; on working with Cher

Chapter 5

On costume design for Marie Osmond on Donny & Marie; on The Diahann Carroll Show; on his book Dressing for Glamour
On movies for which he did costumes - Lady Sings the Blues, Funny Lady, Pennies from Heaven, Staying Alive and Brenda Starr; on opening Bob Mackie Originals; on Mama's Family
On designing clothing for the red carpet and designing production numbers for the Academy Awards; on designing for Barbie; On Gypsy and Tales From the City

Chapter 6

On some of the writers on The Sonny and Cher Show; on Mrs. Santa Claus; on working on a ballet done to Elvis music - Blue Suede Shoes, Ballet Rocks; on collaborating with Bette Midler
On his thoughts on people with whom he's worked; on successful collaborations
On his current projects; on his design style; on advice to aspiring costume designers

Chapter 7

On the state of costume design for television today; on believing MTV is the most visually interesting thing on TV; on career highlights
On his regrets - never learning stage design; on how he'd like to be remembered
Shows

Academy Awards, The

View Show Page
Bob Mackie on designing clothing for the red carpet and designing production numbers for the Academy Awards
07:15

Alice Through the Looking Glass

View Show Page
Bob Mackie on working with producer Alan Handley on Alice Through the Looking Glass - the first show to win an Emmy for costume design
01:45
Bob Mackie on creating costumes for Alice Through The Looking Glass
01:40

Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City

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Bob Mackie on acting in Armistead Maupin's Tales of The City
01:24

Brigadoon

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Bob Mackie on costume design for Brigadoon and musical comedies
01:01

Carol & Company

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Bob Mackie on Carol & Company and reunion shows
02:08

Carol Burnett Show, The (1967-78)

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Bob Mackie on creating costumes for The Carol Burnett Show
05:10
Bob Mackie on the famous curtain-rod dress he made for Carol Burnett in "Went With the Wind," a spoof of Gone With the Wind on The Carol Burnett Show
02:17
Bob Mackie on Carol Burnett's quick costume changes
01:27
Bob Mackie on costume design for The Carol Burnett Show
23:37
Bob Mackie on Carol Burnett's signature roles on The Carol Burnett Show
03:06

Carol Burnett Show, The (1967-78): "Went with the Wind!" Sketch

View Show Page
Bob Mackie on the famous curtain-rod dress he made for Carol Burnett in "Went With the Wind," a spoof of Gone With the Wind on The Carol Burnett Show
02:17

Carol Burnett Show, The (1991)

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Bob Mackie on designing clothing for Carol Burnett's later shows
00:49

Cher

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Bob Mackie on working with Cher on Cher
16:38

Diahann Carroll Show, The

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Bob Mackie on costume design for The Diahann Carroll Show
02:26

Donny & Marie

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Bob Mackie on costume design for Marie Osmond on Donny & Marie
05:01

Fred Astaire Show, The

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Bob Mackie on The Fred Astaire Show
02:11

Frosty Frolics

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Bob Mackie on loving local KTLA show Frosty Frolics when he was young
00:19

Gypsy

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Bob Mackie on designing clothing for Gypsy with Bette Midler
01:35

Judy Garland Show, The

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Bob Mackie on assisting Ray Aghayan on The Judy Garland Show
03:06
Bob Mackie on Judy Garland and The Judy Garland Show
07:31

King Family, The

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Bob Mackie on creating costumes for The King Family Show
01:47

Mama's Family

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Bob Mackie on getting credit for the original look for Mama's Family
01:25

Mitzi Gaynor Specials

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Bob Mackie on censorship of designs when designing for Mitzi Gaynor
01:14

Once Upon a Mattress

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Bob Mackie on the Once Upon a Mattress special with Carol Burnett
02:05

Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour

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Bob Mackie on working with Cher on The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour
16:38
Bob Mackie on some of the writers on The Sonny and Cher Show
00:28
Topics

Censorship / Standards & Practices

View Topic
Bob Mackie on censorship of designs
03:25

Creative Influences and Inspiration

View Topic
Bob Mackie on finding inspiration for costume designing on television
00:39
Bob Mackie on the famous curtain-rod dress he made for Carol Burnett in "Went With the Wind," a spoof of Gone With the Wind on The Carol Burnett Show
02:17

Emmy Awards

View Topic
Bob Mackie on working with producer Alan Handley on Alice Through the Looking Glass - the first show to win an Emmy for costume design
01:45
Bob Mackie on winning an Emmy for Alice Through The Looking Glass
00:25

Memorable Moments on Television

View Topic
Bob Mackie on the famous curtain-rod dress he made for Carol Burnett in "Went With the Wind," a spoof of Gone With the Wind on The Carol Burnett Show
02:17
Bob Mackie on designing the Queen Elizabeth gown for Whoopi Goldberg for the 1999 Academy Awards
01:23
Bob Mackie on dressing Cher for her presentation of an award to Don Ameche at the Academy Awards
01:03

Pivotal Career Moments

View Topic
Bob Mackie on the famous curtain-rod dress he made for Carol Burnett in "Went With the Wind," a spoof of Gone With the Wind on The Carol Burnett Show
02:17
Bob Mackie on finding inspiration for costume designing on television
00:39

Television Industry

View Topic
Bob Mackie on censorship of designs
03:25

We Laughed

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Bob Mackie on the famous curtain-rod dress he made for Carol Burnett in "Went With the Wind," a spoof of Gone With the Wind on The Carol Burnett Show
02:17
Professions

Costume Designer

View Profession
Bob Mackie on wanting to be a costume designer
00:56
Bob Mackie on the craft of costume design for television
06:05
Bob Mackie on finding inspiration for costume designing on television
00:39
Bob Mackie on the famous curtain-rod dress he made for Carol Burnett in a spoof of "Gone With the Wind" on her show
02:17
Bob Mackie on his design style
01:29
Bob Mackie on advice to aspiring costume designers
00:45
Bob Mackie on costume design today
02:10

Designers

View Profession
Bob Mackie on wanting to be a costume designer
00:56
Bob Mackie on the famous curtain-rod dress he made for Carol Burnett in a spoof of "Gone With the Wind" on her show
02:17
Bob Mackie on finding inspiration for costume designing on television
00:39
Bob Mackie on the craft of costume design for television
06:05
Bob Mackie on production design for the Academy Awards
03:24
Bob Mackie on his design style
01:29
Bob Mackie on advice to aspiring costume designers
00:45
Bob Mackie on costume design today
02:10

Production Designer

View Profession
Bob Mackie on production design for the Academy Awards
03:24
Genres

Awards Shows

View Genre
Bob Mackie on designing clothing for the red carpet and designing production numbers for the Academy Awards
07:15

Music Shows & Variety Shows/Specials

View Genre
Bob Mackie on Judy Garland and The Judy Garland Show
07:31
Bob Mackie on the famous curtain-rod dress he made for Carol Burnett in "Went With the Wind," a spoof of Gone With the Wind on The Carol Burnett Show
02:17
Bob Mackie on costume design for The Carol Burnett Show
23:37
Bob Mackie on working with Cher on Cher and The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour
16:38
People

Ray Aghayan

View Interview Page
Bob Mackie on assisting Ray Aghayan on The Judy Garland Show
00:38
Bob Mackie on Ray Aghayan and Judy Garland
00:24
Bob Mackie on working with Ray Aghayan
00:22
Bob Mackie on working with Ray Aghayan
01:14
Bob Mackie on costume design for producer Ray Aghayan's The Diahann Carroll Show
00:59
Bob Mackie on Ray Aghayan asking him to do the Queen Elizabeth gown for the 1999 Academy Awards
01:23

Julie Andrews

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Bob Mackie on working with Julie Andrews
01:23

Ann-Margret

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Bob Mackie on working wit Ann-Margret
00:51

Fred Astaire

View Person Page
Bob Mackie on The Fred Astaire Show
02:11

Lucille Ball

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Bob Mackie on working with Lucille Ball
01:03

Ken Berry

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Bob Mackie on the Once Upon a Mattress special with Carol Burnett
02:05

Sonny Bono

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Bob Mackie on working with Cher on Cher and The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour
04:26

Carol Burnett

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Bob Mackie on designing for Carol Burnett for The Carol Burnett Show
02:43
Bob Mackie on Carol Burnett's quick costume changes
01:27
Bob Mackie on designing for pregnancy and weight gain and Carol Burnett not telling him she was pregnant
01:45
Bob Mackie on the famous curtain-rod dress he made for Carol Burnett in "Went With the Wind," a spoof of Gone With the Wind on The Carol Burnett Show
02:17
Bob Mackie on Carol Burnett on The Carol Burnett Show
23:37
Bob Mackie on producer Joe Hamilton taping his wife, Carol Burnett, talking to the at-home audience on The Carol Burnett Show
00:31
Bob Mackie on Carol Burnett's signature roles
03:06
Bob Mackie on the Once Upon a Mattress special with Carol Burnett
02:05
Bob Mackie on designing clothing for Carol Burnett's later shows
00:49
Bob Mackie on the chemistry of Julie Andrews and Carol Burnett
00:53

Diahann Carroll

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Bob Mackie on costume design for The Diahann Carroll Show
02:26

Carol Channing

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Bob Mackie on working with Carol Channing
00:36

Cyd Charisse

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Bob Mackie on working with Cyd Charisse
00:48

Cher

View Person Page
Bob Mackie on designing for Sonny and Cher
00:53
Bob Mackie on designing for pregnancy and weight gain for Cher
00:30
Bob Mackie on censorship of designs when designing for Cher
02:11
Bob Mackie on working with Cher on Cher and The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour
16:38
Bob Mackie on dressing Cher for the Academy Awards
01:03

Tim Conway

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Bob Mackie on Tim Conway on The Carol Burnett Show
00:45

Jimmy Durante

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Bob Mackie on designing for Danny Thomas and Jimmy Durante television specials
00:57

Jerry Van Dyke

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Bob Mackie on Jerry Van Dyke of The Judy Garland Show
00:21

Dick Van Dyke

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Bob Mackie on Dick Van Dyke on The Carol Burnett Show
00:51

Nanette Fabray

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Bob Mackie on working with Nanette Fabray
00:45

Judy Garland

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Bob Mackie on assisting with costume design on The Judy Garland Show
01:38
Bob Mackie on working with Judy Garland
06:12
Bob Mackie on designing for Judy Garland for black and white television
00:37

Mitzi Gaynor

View Interview Page
Bob Mackie on censorship of designs when designing for Mitzi Gaynor
01:14
Bob Mackie on collaborating with Mitzi Gaynor
01:00

Whoopi Goldberg

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Bob Mackie on designing the Queen Elizabeth gown for Whoopi Goldberg for the 1999 Academy Awards
01:23

Robert Goulet

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Bob Mackie on Robert Goulet in Brigadoon
00:46

Joe Hamilton

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Bob Mackie on producer Joe Hamilton taping his wife, Carol Burnett, talking to the at-home audience on The Carol Burnett Show
01:15
Bob Mackie on getting credit for the original look for Mama's Family
01:25

Alan Handley

View Person Page
Bob Mackie on working with producer Alan Handley on Alice Through the Looking Glass
01:45

Goldie Hawn

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Bob Mackie on Cher wanting an outfit similar to one he had done for Goldie Hawn
01:23
Bob Mackie on working with Goldie Hawn
01:13

Edith Head

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Bob Mackie on working with costume designer Edith Head at Paramount
00:50
Bob Mackie on working with Edith Head and what he learned from her
01:36

Elton John

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Bob Mackie on working with Elton John
00:52

Shirley Jones

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Bob Mackie on designing for pregnancy and weight gain for Shirley Jones
00:23

John F. Kennedy

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Bob Mackie on sketching the dress that Marilyn Monroe wore to sing "Happy Birthday" to JFK
00:33
Bob Mackie on Judy Garland's response to JFK's death
00:43

Harvey Korman

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Bob Mackie on Harvey Korman on The Carol Burnett Show
00:33

Angela Lansbury

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Bob Mackie on a television special Mrs. Santa Claus with Angela Lansbury
00:37

Vicki Lawrence

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Bob Mackie on designing for pregnancy and weight gain for Vicki Lawrence
00:41
Bob Mackie on Vicki Lawrence on The Carol Burnett Show
00:56
Bob Mackie on "Mama Harper" on The Carol Burnett Show
01:42

Steve Martin

View Person Page
Bob Mackie on costume design for Pennies from Heaven
01:18

Bette Midler

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Bob Mackie on designing clothing for Gypsy with Bette Midler
01:35
Bob Mackie on working with Bette Midler
00:56

Liza Minnelli

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Bob Mackie on working with Liza Minnelli
00:48

Marilyn Monroe

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Bob Mackie on sketching the dress that Marilyn Monroe wore to sing "Happy Birthday" to JFK
00:33

Marie Osmond

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Bob Mackie on costume design for Marie Osmond on Donny & Marie
05:01

Bernadette Peters

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Bob Mackie on working with Bernadette Peters
01:00

Debbie Reynolds

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Bob Mackie on working with Debbie Reynolds
00:47

Diana Ross

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Bob Mackie on a television special with Diana Ross and the Supremes and The Temptations, produced by George Schlatter
02:46

George Schlatter

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Bob Mackie on a television special with Diana Ross and the Supremes and The Temptations, produced by George Schlatter
02:11

Dinah Shore

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Bob Mackie on working with Dinah Shore
01:19

Beverly Sills

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Bob Mackie on working with Beverly Sills
00:35

Barbra Streisand

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Bob Mackie on Barbra Streisand appearing on The Judy Garland Show
00:35
Bob Mackie on costume design for Funny Lady
00:53

Danny Thomas

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Bob Mackie on designing for Danny Thomas and Jimmy Durante television specials
00:57

Tina Turner

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Bob Mackie on working with Tina Turner
02:33

Ret Turner

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Bob Mackie on costume design with Rhett Turner for Donny & Marie
05:01
Bob Mackie on getting credit for the original look for Mama's Family
01:25

Bruce Vilanch

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Bob Mackie on Ray Aghayan asking him to do the Queen Elizabeth gown for the 1999 Academy Awards
01:23

Lyle Waggoner

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Bob Mackie on Lyle Waggoner on The Carol Burnett Show
01:50

All Interviews

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