Reggie Wells – Oprah Winfrey’s former makeup artist – has passed away at 76 after a ‘long illness’

Hollywood is in mourning on Thursday with the news that beloved makeup artist Reggie Wells has died at the age of 76.

Wells was the personal makeup artist for Oprah Winfrey for more than 30 years, with a publication in his hometown Baltimore banner report that he died on Monday after a ‘long illness’.

His long-time client of more than 30 years – Oprah Winfrey – remembered Wells fondly in a statement, revealing: “He always made me feel beautiful.”

His own Instagram announced Wells’ death on Tuesday, revealing that he was a “true pioneer in the world of makeup artistry.”

“His remarkable talent touched the faces of legends like Oprah, Chaka Khan, Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston and Beyonce,” the statement said.

Wells was Oprah Winfrey’s personal makeup artist for more than thirty years. In his hometown of Baltimore Banner, he reported that he died Monday after a “long illness.”

His own Instagram announced Wells’ death on Tuesday, revealing that he was a “true pioneer in the world of makeup artistry.”

“As a two-time Emmy Award-winning artist and author of ‘Face Painting: African American Beauty Techniques,’ Reggie not only graced faces but left an indelible mark on the beauty industry,” the statement said.

‘To us he was a friend, a mentor and Mary – an inspiration who will be dearly missed. May his legacy continue to shine through the countless memories he leaves behind,” the statement said.

Oprah revealed in a statement, “Reggie Wells was an artist who used his palette of talents to create beauty no matter the canvas.”

‘He was my make-up artist for years. He called me and anyone he considered a friend “Mary.” He always made me feel beautiful,” she added.

“Ooh my, we laughed and laughed during the process. He was a keen observer of human behavior and could see humor in the most unlikely experiences,” she concluded.

Wells was born in Baltimore on December 2, 1947, and raised in Baltimore County by John Henry Wells, a bus driver, and Ada Wells, a nurse.

He graduated from Baltimore City College and the Maryland Institute College of Arts (MICA) in the mid-1970s before moving to New York City to pursue a career in makeup.

Wells started working at makeup counters in the city when he was discovered by a fashion editor and went on to work for Glamour, Life and Harper’s Bazaar.

“As a two-time Emmy Award-winning artist and author of ‘Face Painting: African American Beauty Techniques,’ Reggie not only graced faces but also left an indelible mark on the beauty industry,” the statement added.

‘To us he was a friend, a mentor and Mary – an inspiration who will be dearly missed. May his legacy continue to shine through the countless memories he leaves behind,” the statement said

Wells was born in Baltimore on December 2, 1947, and raised in Baltimore County by John Henry Wells, a bus driver, and Ada Wells, a nurse.

Cynthia Bailey remembers makeup artist Reggie Wells in an Instagram comment

Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams share their memories of Reggie Wells

It was when he started working for Essence, providing makeup for more than 100 magazine covers, that Winfrey first got noticed.

She hired him as her makeup artist in 1990, with Wells winning a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Makeup in 1995 and also earning nominations in 1994, 2003, 2004 and 2006.

He also worked with stars including Beyoncé, Halle Berry and former first lady Michelle Obama, with Joan Rivers once saying his makeup was so good it looked like they had had plastic surgery.

Long before makeup companies created makeup for black women, Wells herself created custom makeup for black women from foundations and powders for white skin tones.

After more than thirty years working for Oprah and others, he returned to his hometown of Baltimore in 2016 to care for his ailing father.

He is survived by sisters Priscilla Tingle, Patricia Banks and Orrie Wright, while funeral services are pending.