A belated tribute to BOB SCHULENBERG (1933-2025)
- 16 minutes ago
- 3 min read
One of the earliest interviews I filmed for the documentary was with artist BOB SCHULENBERG, who was also good friends with Richard Amsel and David Byrd. David had put me in touch with Bob at the project’s inception, so when he told me he’d be making a brief visit to Los Angeles, I jumped at the chance to film him.
As today is Bob’s birthday, I decided to reconnect with him, only to find that he sadly passed away in the spring of last year. I was surprised by the news, as I had not heard anything about it through social media or our mutual friends. It's only fitting I pay tribute to him here, even if it is too little and far, far too late.
Bob had a fascinating life. He was born in L.A., graduated from UCLA, worked as a costume designer and art director, as well as an illustrator. He moved to New York in the early 1960s. No sooner had he arrived when he met a young ingenue – an aspiring actress who at the time was working as a hatcheck at a gay bar across the street. Her name was Barbara Streisand, which she had “shortened” to Barbra. The two became fast friends, and, with his unique fashion sense, Bob helped craft the look and style of the young superstar in the making.
Bob’s art became a regular feature within a column for The New York Social Diary. His many portraits – of fellow artists, celebrities, etc. – were often drawn from life, on the spot. They carried a strong sense of intimacy and whimsy. At his career peak, he had illustrations “within five drawings in every newspaper in the United States,” he said.
Schulberg's sketches of Barbra Streisand, from Bob Schulenberg: An Artist’s New York Story.
Even into the digital age, Bob didn’t waver from his fondness for the written pen and pencil. His personal writings to friends and associates often featured sketches and drawings, and fanciful illustrations on the mailing envelopes.
In revisiting my interview footage with Bob after all these years, I’m amazed how much he downplayed all his celebrity associations. It’s all too tempting for us common folk to boastfully drop names at every possible opportunity, even when it concerns celebrities we barely know. (My good friends will tell you I’m certainly guilty of this.) But Bob spoke of them casually, endearingly, without any grandiosity or ego of his own.
Of course, as the focus of our interview was Richard Amsel, Bob had a lot of anecdotes to share. He lived “two doors down” from the artist (I never asked him to clarify if he lived in the same building or the same block), and they would help each other in sharing photo references and delivering art commissions.
Schulberg's sketches of Richard Amsel, provided by the artist.
Bob recalled tales of Amsel’s movie screenings, of befriending Bette Midler and Barry Manilow, of the rigors of tight project deadlines, of Amsel’s love of animation, as well as Amsel’s animation tests of Lily Tomlin’s Edith Ann.
The topics grew more sensitive and revealing as our interview progressed. Amsel’s drug use, Bob said, had alienated their friendship somewhat, and Bob stayed outside many of Amsel’s other social circles. They stayed in touch over the phone, but when they reconnected in person some years later in Los Angeles, Bob noticed an alarming change in Amsel’s appearance. With the AIDS now in full force, the epidemic was a topic they’d frequently, albeit reluctantly discuss.
I don’t want to disclose more here, as I’m saving it for the film. But Bob’s testimonial was very powerful, and deeply moving.
My heartfelt sympathies go out to Bob’s family and friends.
Happy birthday, Bob…and thanks for everything. Give Richard and David my best.
Photo of Schulenberg by Bob Stone, 1995.
To learn more about Bob Schulenberg, check out these links:
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