Mackie died Monday morning in Palm Springs, California, after suffering from pneumonia, his longtime publicist Jenelle Hamilton confirmed.
His death was also announced in a post on his official Instagram account.
“He lived his 87 years to the fullest, fulfilling his dream of being a Fashion and Costume Designer, which is all he ever wanted to do,” the tribute read. “His genius and extraordinary designs will live on forever, continuing to bring beauty into this world.”
Known as the “sultan of sequins,” Mackie spent more than five decades creating some of the most unforgettable looks in Hollywood.
His designs were worn by stars including Carol Burnett, Liza Minnelli, Barbra Streisand, Cher, Elton John, Bette Midler, Joan Rivers, Lucille Ball, Tina Turner and Beyoncé.
Elton John paid tribute to Mackie after his death, saying the designer always made him feel special.
“His costumes were works of art, and he will go down as one of the most legendary designers ever in Hollywood,” John wrote.
He added that the two shared a love of glamour and a similar sense of humor.
Mackie was born in Monterey Park, California, and studied at Pasadena City College before transferring to the school that later became the California Institute of the Arts.
He eventually left school to work as a costume sketch artist.
One of his earliest major assignments came in 1961, when he worked on the now-famous skintight beaded dress Marilyn Monroe wore in 1962 while singing “Happy Birthday” to President John F. Kennedy.
A year later, Mackie was hired by designer Ray Aghayan to work on “The Judy Garland Show.”
Aghayan would later become Mackie’s longtime romantic and creative partner.
The pair made television history in 1967 when they won the first-ever Emmy Award for costume design.
Aghayan died in 2011 at age 83.
Mackie had also been briefly married to actress Marianne Nicholson, known professionally as Lulu Porter. The couple divorced in the early 1960s.
Their son, Robert Gordon Mackie Jr., later worked as a makeup artist. He died in 1993 from complications related to AIDS.
Mackie’s career took another major turn in 1966 after his work with entertainer Mitzi Gaynor caught the attention of Carol Burnett.
Burnett’s producer hired him to design the complete wardrobe for “The Carol Burnett Show,” where Mackie remained for 11 seasons.
His costumes quickly became a major part of the show’s identity.
The National Comedy Center later praised Mackie for understanding how costumes could help create characters and become part of the comedy itself.
His work with Burnett, Cher, Joan Rivers, Bette Midler and Lucille Ball helped create some of television’s most memorable moments.
Mackie expanded beyond television in 1982 when he launched a ready-to-wear clothing collection.
He later created a popular line of collectible Barbie dolls featuring dramatic gowns, elaborate headdresses, long trains and plenty of his signature sparkle.
Some of Mackie’s most famous designs became pop culture staples.
His iconic flame dress was worn by Cher, Tina Turner and later Beyoncé.
An early version of the design debuted in 1968 on “The Fred Astaire Show.”
When Cher and Turner later wore matching versions on “The Sonny & Cher Show,” the original large gold decorations had been replaced by smaller sequins that became a defining part of Mackie’s style.
Over the decades, Mackie became synonymous with glamour, theatricality and bold fashion.
His designs were never meant to blend in — and that was exactly the point.
Mackie leaves behind a legacy that stretches across television, music, film and fashion, with costumes that continue to be recognized as some of the most memorable ever created.