Hair and makeup designer Marc Pilcher has passed away aged 53 - just weeks after winning an Emmy Award for his work on the Netflix drama series Bridgerton.
The creative genius, who has worked on many well-known projects in Hollywood, died on Sunday, October 3, as a result of coronavirus, per Variety.
Pilcher's agents, Adam Maskell and Vikki West of Curtis Brown, said Pilcher was "double vaccinated with no underlying health conditions."
He had tested negative for Covid-19 multiple times to travel to and from the US for the Emmys, and became ill shortly after returning to the UK, CNN reports.
His friends and family told Variety through his agency, Curtis Brown: "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 was the department head hairstylist on the team that won the award for outstanding period and/or character hairstyling at the 73rd Primetime Emmy Awards.
The award was given for work featured in the Bridgerton episode titled Art of the Swoon.
"The passing of Marc Pilcher is beyond words," show producer Shonda Rhimes wrote on Twitter.
"I will forever be in awe of the incredible hairstyling and makeup work that he brought to Bridgerton. My heart goes out to his loved ones as we lost him way too soon."
In a statement released on behalf of his family, friends, and agent, Pilcher was remembered as someone who pushed boundaries and was "never limited in his thought process for his creations."
"Glamourous and extravagant, he brought his flair and style to every design," the statement said.
He leaves behind family, friends, and his cockapoo Yuri.
Nicola Coughlan, who plays Penelope Featherington in Bridgerton, said on Twitter that she was "heartbroken" by Pilcher's death and said it was a reminder that Covid-19 is still present.
"So heartbroken by the loss of Marc Pilcher, the brilliant and visionary Hair and Makeup designer for Bridgerton Season One," she wrote.
"Marc was so passionate about his work and so tremendously talented. Not even a month ago he won his first Emmy award."
In a follow-up tweet, she wrote: "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."
Pilcher had his breakthrough in the film and television industry in the early 2000s, and worked with stars including Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Shirley MacLaine, Madonna, and Ian McKellen.
He was nominated for an Academy Award in 2019 for his work on Mary Queen of Scots, and won three Hollywood Makeup Artist & Hairstyling Guild awards for work in Bridgerton, Downton Abbey, and Mary Queen of Scots.
