Josh Wallwork

Josh Wallwork (June 3, 1974 – March 26, 2020) was an American television costumer known for his contributions to primetime series including Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Madam Secretary, and Bull. ^{[1] [2]} Born in Phoenix, Arizona, Wallwork relocated to New York City, where he built a career in costume departments and contributed to 65 episodes across various television productions. ^{[1] [3]} He was particularly associated with Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, where he worked for an extended period. ^[2] Wallwork died on March 26, 2020, in New York City from complications of COVID-19 at the age of 45. ^[2] His passing was noted in industry tributes for his positive presence and dedication to his craft. ^[2]

Early life

Birth and background

Josh Wallwork was born on June 3, 1974, in Phoenix, Arizona, USA.^[3] He later relocated to New York City, where he pursued his professional career in television.^[3] Wallwork died at the age of 45 on March 26, 2020.^[3] Little additional information is publicly available regarding his early life, family, or upbringing prior to his move and entry into the entertainment industry.

Career

Television costume work

Josh Wallwork worked as a costumer in the television industry, contributing to the wardrobe departments of primetime series filmed in New York. His roles included set costumer, costumer, additional costumer, and truck costumer. His work involved preparing costumes, fitting actors, managing wardrobe on set, and ensuring continuity for character appearances throughout filming. Wallwork's credits include:

• The Get Down (set costumer, 2016–2017, 11 episodes)^[1]
• Bull (set costumer, 2016–2017, 14 episodes)^[1]
• Madam Secretary (costumer, 2017–2018, 20 episodes)^[1]
• Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (additional costumer, truck costumer, 2018–2020, 20 episodes)^[1]

His television career focused on dramatic series and was primarily based in New York City from 2016 until his death in 2020. He handled day-to-day responsibilities of costume maintenance and actor dressing on set, supporting the overall production values of the series he worked on.

Notable credits

Madam Secretary

Josh Wallwork worked as a costumer in the costume and wardrobe department on the CBS political drama series Madam Secretary. ^{[1] [2]} His credits on the show span the 2017–2018 period, during which he contributed to 20 episodes. ^{[1] [4]} Wallwork's involvement is documented in industry records as part of his television costuming career, though no specific details on individual episodes or distinctive contributions to the series' wardrobe have been publicly highlighted. ^{[3] [5]}

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

Josh Wallwork served as a costumer in the Costume and Wardrobe Department on the long-running NBC series Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. ^{[1] [6]} He joined the production in 2018 and continued working on the show until 2020. ^[7] Wallwork was regarded as a cherished member of the "SVU family" by Wolf Entertainment, the company producing the series, which expressed profound sadness at his passing and highlighted his role within the close-knit team. ^[6] Colleagues remembered him for his consistent positivity and gentle nature. ^[2] In tribute to his contributions and memory, an episode of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit titled "Garland's Baptism by Fire" was dedicated to Josh Wallwork (1974-2020), acknowledging his work in the wardrobe department. ^[8] This dedication appeared in recognition of his impact on the series during his tenure.

Other series

Josh Wallwork contributed to the costume departments of several other television series in addition to his prominent work on Madam Secretary and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. ^[9] His additional credits include the CBS legal drama Bull, where he worked from 2016 to 2017, and the Netflix musical drama The Get Down, on which he also served during 2016 and 2017. ^[1] These projects marked his involvement in diverse genres, including contemporary courtroom series and period pieces focused on 1970s New York hip-hop culture. ^[1] No other major series credits are documented in primary industry sources. ^[9]

Death

COVID-19 complications

Josh Wallwork died on March 26, 2020, in New York City, New York, at the age of 45 due to complications from COVID-19. ^{[3] [2] [10]} His death was among the early losses in the entertainment industry during the initial outbreak of the pandemic in the United States. ^{[2] [11]} The costumer, known for his recent work on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, passed away in Astoria, Queens, part of New York City, amid the virus's rapid spread in the region. ^{[11] [3]}

Legacy

Tributes and memorials

Following his death, Josh Wallwork received heartfelt tributes from colleagues on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, who remembered him as a beloved crew member known for his constant positivity. Mariska Hargitay shared a personal remembrance on Twitter, stating, "Heartbroken we are. I don’t think I ever saw him without a smile on his face. He brought love and kindness everywhere he went. Always ready with the joke. The SVU Corredor will never be the same. We will miss you Josh. #ForeverInOurHearts"^[2][10] Showrunner Warren Leight posted on Facebook that Wallwork was "a beautiful man" and that the cast and crew were heartbroken, sending love and prayers to his family and friends.^[2] Friend Abdul Qadir announced the passing with permission from the Wallwork family, noting he was loved by many.^[2] Wallwork's passing was noted in broader industry reflections on early COVID-19 losses in Hollywood, highlighting the pandemic's swift and devastating impact on television production crews. His memory was honored through various memorial acknowledgments, including mentions in compilations of entertainment industry figures lost to the virus.