2000 HALL OF FAME
Walter Plunkett (1902-1982)
Famous for his Costumes in "Gone with the Wind," Walter Plunkett is considered one of the best period designers in Hollywood history. With virtually no training in costume design, Mr. Plunkett became one of the most successful designers in the industry. He worked extensively with such stars as Irene Dunne, Judy Garland, Fred Astaire, Ginger Rodgers, Katherine Hepburn and many others.
A serious student, Mr. Plunkett studied law and theatre at the University of California at Berkley and enjoyed painting as a hobby. He began his career in Hollywood as an actor, but changed to costume design when invited to help design costumes for dancer Ruth St. Denis. In 1926 he was hired to head clothing rentals and make budget estimations for a small studio. That studio later became known as RKO and he grew with it, becoming its Head of Wardrobe, hiring seamstresses and setting up a full workroom to fabricate everything the studio needed. He worked for RKO on and off through the late 20's and 30's, often on pictures that involved period and ethnic costumes, which became a specialty of his.
In 1945 he began working for MGM and continued working there until his retirement in 1965. A highly thoughtful and dedicated designer, Mr. Plunkett would replicate period costumes with a margin of creative license that occasionally defied historical accuracy. By making minor adjustments that drew from the fashion and cultural context of his own day, he enabled audiences to experience a deeper emotional connection with the films.
Walter Plunkett won an Academy Award in 1953 for "An American in Paris," which he shared with Orry-Kelly and Irene Sharaff. He also garnered Academy Awards nominations for "That Forsyte Woman," with Valles (1949), "The Magnificent Yankee" (1950), "Kind Lady," with Gile Steele (1951), "The Actress" (1953), "Young Bess" (1953), "Raintree County" (1957), "Some Came Running" (1958), "Pocketful of Miracles," with Edith Head (1961) and "How the West Was Won" (1962).
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