As a lifelong fan and admirer of Greg Hildebrandt‘s work, I can’t help but feel a profound sense of loss. His artwork has been a part of my childhood memories and an integral part of the pop-culture landscape for decades. The Brothers Hildebrandt were not just artists; they were storytellers who brought iconic characters to life in ways that resonated deeply with audiences.
85-year-old artist and illustrator Greg Hildebrandt passed away on Halloween 2024. Known as a pop-culture legend, Greg was one of the Brothers Hildebrandt, alongside his twin brother Tim. Together, they produced artwork that became iconic for popular franchises such as Star Wars, The Lord of the Rings, and Magic: The Gathering, in addition to classic films, album covers, and enduring images from DC and Marvel Comics.
It has been announced, as detailed further down, that Greg Hildebrandt has sadly passed away. This news comes from his spouse and frequent collaborator, Jean Scrocco.
“The light has gone out in my life. At 12:36 pm this afternoon the love of my life, my best friend and soulmate passed away. Greg was 85 years young. He was the sweetest man I ever knew. We worked together for 45 years. We lived together for 33 of those years. We had a beautiful life we were blessed. Greg has been fighting for 5 months to regain his ability to breathe after a serious side effect of a heart medication. He fought very hard to win this battle but in the end he was just too weak. He passed away peacefully in my arms. He knew he was safe and he was loved and he will be missed terribly. I cannot imagine my life without him. He was my guy, yesterday, today, tomorrow and forever. You are my heart and it is broken!”
Born in Detroit, Michigan in January of 1939, the Hildebrandt brothers honed their artistic skills at the renowned Meinzinger Art School in their city. At the tender age of 20, they embarked on their professional painting journey, aspiring to become animators for Walt Disney, inspired by timeless masterpieces such as “Snow White” and “Pinocchio.” Their unique style was later immortalized in pop culture during the 1970s, thanks to their contributions to the annual Tolkien Calendar releases related to “Lord of the Rings.
In 1977, the painting they created for the “Style B” poster of “Star Wars: A New Hope” turned out to be a smashing success. It showcased Luke Skywalker in the well-known pose, brandishing a lightsaber above his head while Princess Leia was at his feet, and the helmet of Darth Vader hanging overhead. Yet, following an unsuccessful venture into writing their own fantasy novel (Urshurak) after Star Wars, the Hildebrandt brothers chose to go down separate professional paths.
In the ensuing years, Greg Hildebrandt produced cover illustrations for publications such as Heavy Metal magazine and books like the Merlin Trilogy, Robin Hood, Dracula, and Phantom of the Opera. Concurrently, Tim focused on children’s literature, film projects (Secret of NIMH), Dungeons & Dragons calendars, and advertisements for brands like Levi’s and AT&T. It was Marvel creator Stan Lee who reunited Greg and Tim in the 1990s to collaborate on various Marvel ventures, including the “Marvel Masterpieces” artwork collection.
On June 11, 2006, Tim Hildebrandt, aged 67, sadly passed away. Greg Hildebrandt, his contemporary, is the father of two girls and a boy, who were born from his earlier marriage to his first spouse, Diana F. Stankowski.
With deep sympathy, we bid farewell to Greg Hildebrandt. Our thoughts are with his loved ones, friends, and associates during this difficult period.
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2024-11-01 21:40