Career
Steckler is known for the artistry behind many famous ad campaigns, including Pepsi Cola’s “Refreshes Without Filling” illustrated advertisements in the 1950s, Noxzema’s “Take it off-- Take it all off” television commercials in the early 1970s, and for famously putting Joe Namath in Hanes pantyhose. In 2010, he received widespread attention for the release of a previously unknown series of photographs entitled, “Marilyn Monroe: The Visit,” which offer a candid glimpse of a 1961 encounter between Monroe and famed poet Carl Sandburg. Steckler began his artistic career with the brush.
As photography gradually replaced illustration, however, Steckler segued to a full-time career as a photographer.
With major clients like Pepsi Cola, Max Factor, Revlon and Helena Rubenstein, Steckler"s work was featured in magazines like Ladies’ Home Journal, McCalls, Playboy and Look, and made the cover of publications such as United States, Good Housekeeping (1962-1966), The Saturday Evening Post (1962-1966), Popular Photography (1961-1968) and Camera (1968-1971). Among Steckler"s subjects were some of the most famous personalities in the world, including: Marilyn Monroe Carl Sandburg John Wayne Joe Namath Andrés Segovia Joanne Woodward Julie Newmar Often working with hi-end models of the time, Steckler became known for his shots of beautiful women.
A much abbreviated list: Suzy Parker Tippi Hedren Cheryl Tiegs Jennifer O"Neill Erin Gray Foreign the next phase of his career, Steckler turned to directing television commercials. He made an impact on the medium with innovations such as solarization, extreme slow-motion and the use of subliminal imagery.
Perhaps his most well known television ad came in 1974, when he put NFL quarterback Joe Namath in pantyhose for a Hanes Beauty Mist commercial.
A number of his commercials have been included in the collection of the Museum of Television and Radio. Some of his prominent clients have included: United Airlines Yves Saint Laurent Johnson & Johnson Miller Brewing Company American Telephone & Telegraph Company Parfums Givenchy Noxell Corporation (Noxzema, Cover Girl) Woolite Colgate-Palmolive Progresso Ivory Soap Hanes Celanese Corporation Wamsutta Serta.