Eddie Marks, a revered member of the costume department in the film industry, has passed away at the age of 76. Throughout his career, Marks worked on iconic films such as “The Breakfast Club,” “The Witches of Eastwick,” and “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.” He had been serving as the president of the Western Costume Company since 1992. Marks died on Monday of natural causes while visiting Prague. His death was confirmed by a spokesperson for the company.
Marks joined Western Costume in 1989 as a vice president and later became the president in 1992. One of his notable achievements during his time with the company was relocating its operations from a small warehouse on Melrose Avenue to a much larger facility on Vanowen Street in North Hollywood in 1990.
Western Costume is renowned as one of the largest suppliers of costumes in the world. Marks attributed the company’s success to the acquisition of 11 costume rental companies over the past three decades. In a 2019 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, he emphasized that this strategic expansion sets Western Costume apart from its competitors.
Currently, the company is closed due to strikes by the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA). These strikes, which began on July 14, have halted production and impacted various aspects of the entertainment industry.
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Born on July 1, 1947, in Bayonne, New Jersey, Edward Howard Marks relocated to Los Angeles with his family in 1952. His father, Lambert Marks, worked in the wardrobe department on several notable films, including “Some Came Running,” “Point Blank,” and “Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.”
Marks’ own career in the film industry began in 1965 when he started working in the mailroom at MGM Studios. However, he quickly transitioned into the field of costuming and had the opportunity to work closely with Elvis Presley, assisting with fittings and sizing for films such as “Girl Happy,” “Spinout,” and “Stay Away, Joe.”
Leaving MGM, Marks established himself as a freelance costume supervisor and worked on the ABC crime drama “The Streets of San Francisco” from 1972 to 1977. In 1988, he received an Emmy for his outstanding achievement in costuming for the CBS telefilm “Shakedown on Sunset Strip.”
Throughout his career, Marks contributed to the creation of costumes for numerous critically acclaimed films, including “The China Syndrome,” “Melvin and Howard,” “Revenge of the Nerds,” “The Golden Child,” “Dead Poets Society,” “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” and “Postcards From the Edge.”
Marks is survived by his wife, Debby, his sons Branden and Garret, his grandson Aiden, and his siblings Sanford and Wendy. Branden, in particular, has followed in his father’s footsteps and currently works as a costume supervisor on the CBS series “S.W.A.T.” and as a costumer for several Marvel films.
In a statement released by Western Costume, the company expressed its deep sadness over the loss of Eddie Marks. They emphasized his significant impact on the industry, stating, “Eddie was tightly woven into the fabric of the costume industry and supported so many aspiring costumers as they launched their careers. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.”
Eddie Marks leaves behind a remarkable legacy in the film industry, having played a vital role in the creation of memorable costumes for countless films. His contributions, both in the costume department and as the president of Western Costume, have left an indelible mark on the industry and will be remembered for years to come.
