Shawna Trpcic, ‘The Mandalorian’ and ‘Ahsoka’ Costume Designer, Dies at 56
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
Shawna Trpcic, the Emmy-nominated costume designer who worked on the Star Wars series The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett and Ahsoka, has died. She was 56.
Trpcic died suddenly of an unknown cause in Palm Desert on Wednesday, her daughter, Sarah, told The Hollywood Reporter.
More from The Hollywood Reporter
Keith Jefferson, 'Hateful Eight' and 'Django Unchained' Actor, Dies at 53
Dick Butkus, Legendary Chicago Bears Linebacker Turned Actor, Dies at 80
“Shawna was one of Hollywood’s pre-eminent science fiction costume designers — a creative force, a trusted collaborator and all-around delightful person for her friends and colleagues,” her rep Tim Kressman, an agent at Gersh, said. “She was a beloved member of the Star Wars/Lucasfilm family as well as the community of costume designers and the Costume Designers Guild.”
He added, “Shawna was a dear friend and a dream client to work with.”
Born on Oct. 18, 1966, in Artesia, California, Trpcic initially wanted to be a truck driver in high school, but she had an art teacher who inspired her to pursue being an artist. She went on to attend Otis College of Art and Design for fashion and worked with Bob Mackie’s team during her senior year.
She received her first costume designer credit in 1990.
Trpcic began regular work on Lucasfilm productions in 2019, beginning with season two of The Mandalorian. She also worked on The Book of Boba Fett and most recently, Ahsoka.
Her other credits included The Ballad of John St. George, Frankenstein’s Monster’s Monster, Frankenstein, Carry Tiger To Mountain, Revival, Witches of East End, The Cabin in the Woods, This Is the End, Firefly, Angel, K-Ville, Torchwood, Husbands, Lust for Love and Dollhouse.
“Shawna had a deep love and appreciation for Star Wars,” Ahsoka creator Dave Filoni wrote. “You can see that in every piece of work she did with us. She loved everything about being a part of these stories, including connecting with fans and being a part of that community. I feel like she has always been a part of Star Wars. Her costumes tell a story, providing the suggestion of a life experience that happened before the cameras rolled. I loved collaborating with Shawna, and I will miss her presence.”
Added The Mandalorian creator Jon Favreau: “Her creativity brought this world to life. She will be deeply missed both as a friend and as a colleague.”
She earned Emmy nominations for her efforts on The Mandalorian, Boba Fett and most recently, season three of The Mandalorian. She also won a Costume Designers Guild Award for her design work on Boba Fett.
In August, Trpcic spoke with Gold Derby about why she loves creating designs for the science-fiction genre.
“What I enjoy about Star Wars … is I have total freedom within that genre. I find the challenge of creating something from nothing incredible,” she said. “I love creating worlds. I love it when we go to a new planet. I love establishing a caste system within the planet: the workers, the government, the bosses. I love creating a believable society on each planet.”
Survivors also include her son, Joseph. The family has set up a GoFundMe page to help with expenses.
Mike Barnes contributed to this report.
Best of The Hollywood Reporter
