Celebrated American graphic designer Joe Caroff has died aged 103.
Caroff’s death – just one day before his 104th birthday – was confirmed by his sons, Peter and Michael, to The New York Times on Sunday.
He was best known for designing the iconic 007 logo for the James Bond franchise – a logo which appears on all the posters and marketing for 007 – which sees the number seven transform into a gun.
Caroff was only paid $300 for the James Bond logo in 1963, with no royalties. To add insult to injury, he was never included in the films’ credits and was never given residuals for the merchandise sold.
However, then-Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson did offer him an Omega watch with the 007 logo engraving for his 100th birthday.
Better late than never…
The cast of Skyfall in front of the iconic 007 logo – 2012 – AP Photo
Born on 18 August 1921 in Linden, New Jersey, Caroff was also behind some of the most iconic Hollywood posters.
Among these were West Side Story, Last Tango In Paris, Manhattan, Cabaret and Rollerball. He was also responsible for the design of the opening title sequences for Richard Attenborough’s A Bridge Too Far and Martin Scorsese’s The Last Temptation Of Christ.
West Side Story poster – United Artists – Everett Collection
Manhattan poster – United Artists – Everett Collection
Casino Royale poster – with the iconic logo – United Artists – Everett Collection
Caroff retired in 2006. His wife of 81 years Phyllis died earlier this year at 101 years old.
He is survived by his sons, daughters-in-law and his granddaughter.
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