Sad news from the UK, as it’s being reported that Hair and Makeup Designer Marc Pilcher, who just picked up a Creative Arts Emmy for his work on Netflix‘s Bridgerton, has died at the age of 53 from COVID complications.
Variety has confirmed Pilcher’s death through his agency, Curtis Brown, who shared a statement from Pilcher’s friends and family, “It is with the deepest of hearts we confirm that Marc Elliot Pilcher, Academy Award Nominee and Emmy Award winning hair and makeup designer/stylist, passed away after a battle with Covid-19 on Sunday 3rd October 2021.”
Pilcher received his first Emmy (and his first nomination) for his work on Bridgerton three weeks ago, and tested negative for COVID before and after his trip to L.A. for the ceremony, but after his return, he got sick and his condition got worse until he died on Sunday. Pilcher was double-vaccinated and had no outlying illnesses.
Pilcher was also known for his work on a number of West End shows, and various television show, and he was previously nominated for an Oscar for his hair and makeup work on the period piece, Mary Queen of Scots, starring Saoirse Ronan and Margot Robbie. Recently, he performed similar duties on Matthew Vaughn‘s The King’s Man.
The Curtis Brown statement went on to talk about Pilcher’s short but illustrious career:
“Marc entered the industry via the theatre working on shows such as ‘Company,’ ‘Sunset Boulevard’ and ‘Aspects of Love.’ As for many, it was his training ground and for 15 years he worked in London’s West End and around the UK on major stage plays and musicals.”
“In the early 2000s, Marc entered the film and television industry and worked on TV shows and features as a hairdresser, stylist and makeup artist. During this time, he worked with artists including Dame Judi Dench, Dame Maggie Smith, Shirley MacLaine, Ralph Fiennes, Emily Blunt, Stanley Tucci, Michael Gambon, Madonna, Helena Bonham Carter, Michelle Williams, Kristen Scott Thomas and Sir Ian McKellen amongst many others.”
“In 2016, he designed his first show, ‘The Collection’ – a drama set in post-war Paris. In 2019 he was nominated for an Academy Award for his hair styling on ‘Mary Queen of Scots.’ Most recently, he had won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Period And/Or Character Hairstyling for his work on Series 1 of Netflix’s critically acclaimed ‘Bridgerton.’ Marc also received 3 Hollywood Makeup Artist & Hairstyling Guild Awards for his work on ‘Bridgerton,’ ‘Downton Abbey’ and ‘Mary Queen of Scots.’”
“Glamourous and extravagant, he brought his flair and style to every design. Never limited in his thought process for his creations, he pushed boundaries and created work never realised before.”
Bridgerton cast member Nicolas Coughlan was one of Pilcher’s first colleagues to pay tribute, posting on her Instagram, “So heartbroken by the loss of Marc Pilcher, the brilliant and visionary Hair and Makeup designer for ‘Bridgerton’ Season One. Marc was so passionate about his work and so tremendously talented. Not even a month ago he won his first Emmy award. It’s a tragedy that he’s been taken so young when he had so much yet to do. Please also use this as a reminder that Covid is still a very real and present danger, please get vaccinated and mask up to protect yourself and others. My heart goes out to his friends and family, especially to his wonderful team Lynda, Lou, Adam, Hollie, Tanya and Claire. He loved and cared for you all so much and my heart goes out to you all. Rest in Peace Marc.”
It was shared by fellow Bridgerton actor Phoebe Dynevor, who added, “At a loss for words.”
