Wrote acerbic lists of 'worst dressed' celebs

While "Vendetta" was in production in 1949, Blackwell met Robert Spencer, a hairdresser. They soon became business and life partners, forming a talent agency that specialized in female torch singers. To help one young client get started, Blackwell designed nightclub dresses for her. Encouraged by the positive reaction, he and Spencer closed their talent management business and launched the fashion company Mr. Blackwell.

In the early 1960s, the growing success of Blackwell's worst-dressed lists pumped up sales of his own designs. The business survived the fashion upheaval of the 1960s, when miniskirts and minimal underwear put the Old Hollywood look Blackwell preferred out of date. As women's dress styles continued to change in the 1970s, he wasn't keeping up. First he said he was against jeans for women, then he came out with his own brand of them.

"It seemed he was desperately trying to hold on," fashion expert Fox said. His fashion commentaries were also wearing thin by the '70s and, Fox said, he became a caricature who was "no longer relevant."

Blackwell closed his fashion business in the mid-1970s. He revived his acting career in the 1980s, appearing in several films and television series, usually playing "Mr. Blackwell" in cameo roles.

"No longer would I be Mr. Blackwell," he wrote of the end of his fashion career. "I created him, and he had performed well. Audiences applauded. The world listened -- and I did what I had to do."

He is survived by Spencer, his partner of almost 60 years. Private memorial services are being scheduled.

Instead of flowers, donations can be made to The ROAR Foundation at shambala.org, The Actors Fund at actorsfund.org or noonprop8.com.

--

mary.rourke@latimes.com