Wolsky’s first project with filmmaker Paul Mazursky, Harry and Tonto, led to a prolific, 11-film relationship, including Next Stop, Greenwich Village; An Unmarried Woman, Moscow on the Hudson; Down and Out in Beverly Hills; and Enemies: A Love Story. Wolsky first worked with Bob Fosse on Lenny, starring Dustin Hoffman, later designing the costumes for Fosse’s All That Jazz and Star 80, Fosse’s last film. Wolsky’s other credits include Grease, Manhattan, The Pelican Brief, The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter, Little Murders, The Jazz Singer, The Falcon and the Snowman and Crimes of the Heart.
Born in Paris, Wolsky immigrated to the United States at age 10. He lived in New York City and graduated from The City College of New York and began his career in New York theater, receiving his first solo Broadway design credit for the play Generation, starring Henry Fonda. Other stage credits include Sly Fox, starring George C. Scott; The Sunshine Boys; Joseph Papp‘s production of Hamlet in Central Park; and Tennessee Williams‘ 27 Wagons Full of Cotton, starring Meryl Streep.
The Costume Designers Guild honored Wolsky with a Career Achievement Award, the first bestowed by the guild. Wolsky served for four terms on the board of governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.