Albert Wolsky died at his home in the Hollywood Hills on May 23 at the age of 95.
Colleagues confirmed the news through social media posts and statements to industry outlets. Fellow costume designer Christopher Lawrence shared the information in an Instagram post, while niece Marisa Wolsky verified the details with The Hollywood Reporter.
Wolsky earned seven Oscar nominations across his career and won twice for best costume design. His victories came for the 1979 film All That Jazz and the 1991 film Bugsy. He maintained a parallel presence on Broadway, where he designed 14 productions and earned his only Tony nomination for the 2013 revival of The Heiress.
His Broadway work began in 1965 with Generation, a vehicle for Henry Fonda. Earlier, in 1960, he assisted Helene Pons on the original production of Camelot. Thirteen additional stage credits followed over subsequent decades, including designs that reflected his signature approach of extensive research and precise historical detail.
Wolsky entered film work in 1968 on The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter after a referral from costume designer Theoni V. Aldredge. The 1970s brought further opportunities, with projects that included Turning Point and other features that showcased his ability to support character through clothing choices grounded in period accuracy.
Born in Paris on November 24, 1930, Wolsky fled Europe with his family during World War II and settled in New York. After a period of military service, he considered taking over his father’s travel business before choosing instead to enter the arts. That decision led to a career that bridged stage and screen for more than 50 years.
Reports from Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, and Deadline noted the breadth of Wolsky’s contributions. His film nominations extended beyond the two wins, while his stage credits remained concentrated in the decades after his Broadway debut. Colleagues described his process as methodical, often involving archival study to inform each garment.
Wolsky’s final credited Broadway design came with The Heiress, which opened in 2013 and brought him the Tony recognition late in his career. The production highlighted his continued focus on character-driven costume choices even as his primary work had long shifted toward motion pictures.
