Albert Wolsky, a globally renowned costume designer and two-time Academy Award winner, has passed away at the age of 95. He was celebrated for his collaborations on films such as “All That Jazz” and “Bugsy,” and for creating Olivia Newton-John’s iconic look in “Grease.”
The news of Wolsky’s passing was shared by his niece, Marisa Wolsky, who stated that he died on Saturday at his residence in the Hollywood Hills. Wolsky garnered seven Oscar nominations throughout his illustrious career, with his last nominations in 2007 and 2009 for “Across the Universe” and “Revolutionary Road,” respectively.
Wolsky worked alongside legendary actors, including Meryl Streep in the drama “Sophie’s Choice,” John Cusack in “The Journey of Natty Gann,” and Joan Cusack in “Toys.” He particularly regarded his work on Bob Fosse’s biographical drama “Lenny” (1974) as key to his career accomplishments.
He received his first Academy Award for the film “All That Jazz” (1979), and his second for the Barry Levinson-directed production “Bugsy” (1991), in which he incorporated exclusive Italian fabrics for costumes that evoked 1940s style.
Wolsky achieved significant recognition for designing Sandy Olsson’s final look in the movie “Grease” (1978), which consisted of tight black trousers and a leather jacket. Decades after the film’s release, these costumes were auctioned for substantial amounts.
Beyond these notable works, Wolsky was involved in projects such as “The Turning Point” (1977), “The Manchurian Candidate” (2004), “You’ve Got Mail” (1998), “Runaway Bride” (1999), and “Ad Astra” (2019). His last venture was the film “Amsterdam,” directed by David O. Russell, which premiered in 2022.