Obituary of Gregory Hildebrandt

"I didn't choose art, art chose me!"

Greg Hildebrandt

1939 - 2024

Greg Hildebrandt, a master of light and color, Legendary Star Wars and Lord of the Rings Artist/Illustrator, died at 85.

Greg and his twin brother Tim, universally known as The Brothers Hildebrandt were born in Detroit, Michigan on January 23, 1939. They helped reshape the landscape of science fiction and fantasy art in the 1970s.

The Hildebrandt's first gained international prominence with their heralded 1976, 1977, and 1978 calendars, published by Ballantine Books, depicting JRR Tolkien's Lord of the Rings trilogy. Their follow-up painting, the 1976 "Style B" movie poster for the theatrical release of Star Wars, is one of the most instantly recognizable paintings in modern history.

The Hildebrandt brothers would create thousands of paintings for the most recognizable names in the pop culture lexicon.

After making a name for himself as one half of the Brothers Hildebrandt, Greg began pursuing his solo career in the early 1980s. As the cornerstone artist, Greg helped launch Unicorn Publishing. For Unicorn, Greg illustrated a series of literary classics considered some of his greatest works of art. His illustrated editions, including Peter Pan, The Wizard of Oz, and Alice in Wonderland, are considered classics, with the original paintings being sought after by collectors such as Michael Jackson and Robin Williams. The New York Times said, "Fortunate the child or adult who receives a gift of classics richly illustrated by Greg Hildebrandt."

Primarily a self-taught and multidisciplinary artist, Greg began his professional career in the arts, working at the Jam Handy Organization, an industrial film corporation located in Detroit, Michigan. There, he animated training films for the auto industry and the military, ultimately winning the coveted Golden Eagle award for a movie he worked on titled "Technique for Life."

In 1963, Greg moved to New York to work for The Propagation of the Faith, under Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, for whom he began making documentary films chronicling world hunger and creating art for his weekly television series "Life is Worth Living."

Greg's travels to South America and Africa while making documentaries on world hunger were an eye-opening experience. This began his life-long passion for human rights and activism.

Shortly after parting ways with the Catholic Church, Greg began having a series of dreams that would inspire some of his most iconic and deeply personal works. One of these dream images was seen by the Heavy Metal band, Black Sabbath and then licensed for the cover of their album "Mob Rules" Imagine FX magazine voted this cover the best heavy metal album cover of all time.

After more than a decade of working independently, Greg rejoined his brother Tim to create once again. This time, the brothers took their talents to Marvel Comics, creating the now iconic 1994 Marvel Masterpieces Trading Card set, an epic 158 - card set depicting the greatest heroes and villains of the Marvel Universe. The brothers continued working together until Tim's passing in 2006.

In 2006, Greg befriended Paul O'Neill, the creator and producer of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. One to continually expand his creative pursuits, Greg became the band's exclusive artist, a role he kept for two decades. Greg's last commercial painting was created for TSO and will be published on their upcoming Winter Tour Concert Program.

One of the most prolific illustrators of all time, Greg worked relentlessly on his craft. In addition to his commercial endeavors, Greg was highly active in creating his personal art. He led a life of creative discipline and was the consummate professional. Every job was treated with the same level of professionalism. Greg lived his life in the pursuit of "getting it right." When asked which was his favorite painting he had created, Greg always said "The next one . . ."

Greg was known as a loving husband, a father, an artist, a comedian, a mentor, and a friend. His work has impacted millions of people around the globe, and his magic has been grafted onto the hearts of his fans everywhere. Greg was always quick with a joke and a smile. His quirky sense of humor, often inappropriate, but endearing will be sorely missed.

Greg was an avid reader, and he loved talking about philosophy, civil rights, music, history and the mysteries of the universe. He was passionate about special effects. Greg often felt like an outsider and identified not with the blond hero from his favorite movie, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, but with Captain Nemo. Greg was a staunch defender of the underdog.

Greg was preceded in death by his twin brother, Tim Hildebrandt, and his daughter, Laura Hildebrandt. He is survived by his daughter, Mary Hildebrandt, his son, Gregory Hildebrandt Jr., daughter-in-law Jane Burt Hildebrandt, Son-in-law David Boller, sister, Jane Hildebrandt and his best friend, his wife and artistic muse, Jean Scrocco, his cats Bonnie, Clyde, Katie and Charlie and countless fans around the world. If you would like to learn more about Greg's incredible legacy, you can visit SpiderWeb Art Gallery online.

Rest well Greg, we will see you on the other side.

Greg's Life Celebration Services will include a Visitation on Friday, November 8th from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm and Saturday, November 9th from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm and then again on Sunday, November 10th from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm at Leber Lakeside Funeral Home, 150 Landing Road, Landing Road, Landing, NJ. There will be a Catholic Prayer Service offered on Sunday afternoon, November 10th at 4:30 pm also at the Funeral Home. Greg will be laid to rest privately and at the convenience of the family. For memorial donations and in lieu of flowers, please make donations in Greg's Memory to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital at http://fundraising.stjude.org/goto/greghildebrandt