John Alvin, Illustrator

 


John Henry Alvin (November 24, 1948 – February 6, 2008) was an American cinematic artist and painter who illustrated some of the world's most recognizable movie posters. Alvin created movie posters, which are also known as key art, for over 135 films over the course of his career, beginning with the poster for Mel Brooks' Blazing Saddles in 1974. His style of art for his posters became known as Alvinesque by friends and colleagues in the entertainment industry.
Alvin's work included the movie posters for E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Blade Runner, Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, The Color Purple and Gremlins. He also created the anniversary posters for Star Wars. (Some of these are favorites of mine)
John Alvin died after suffering a bout of myocardial infarction at the age of 59 on February 6, 2008, at his home in Rhinebeck, New York. He is survived by his wife, Andrea, his daughter, Farah Alvin, a Broadway actress.  
Some have said he was one of the greatest illustrators of all time. Federico Tio, executive vice president of marketing for Walt Disney Studios from 1990 to 2005, said in an interview, John Alvin captured the heart of whatever the assignment was, he became synonymous with almost all of the recent posters for Disney including Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, The Little Mermaid and re-releases of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and “Pinocchio.

His work...