Mell Lazarus
Template:Short description Template:About Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox comics creator Melvin Lazarus (May 3, 1927<ref name=CBG1285>Template:Cite journal</ref> – May 24, 2016)<ref name=ncsobit>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> was an American cartoonist, best known as the creator of two comic strips, Miss Peach (1957–2002) and Momma (1970–2016). Additionally, he wrote two novels. For his comic strip Pauline McPeril (a 1966-69 collaboration with Jack Rickard), he used the pseudonym Fulton, which is also the name of a character in his first novel, The Boss Is Crazy, Too.
BiographyEdit
Lazarus was born in Brooklyn,<ref name=syndicatebio>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> to Sydney Lazarus, a successful glass-blower, and Frances (née Mushkin) Lazarus, nicknamed Frankie.<ref name=NYtimes>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=latimes /> Lazarus, who dropped out of high school, published his first cartoon at 16, and later enlisted in the U.S. Navy.<ref name=latimes />
During his twenties, he worked for Al Capp and his brother Elliott Caplin at the Capp family-owned Toby Press.<ref name=NYtimes /> In the mid-1950s, he created two children's syndicated comic strips for General Features,<ref name=Lazarus>Lazarus entry, Who's Who of American Comic Books: 1928–1999. Accessed Oct, 25, 2018.</ref> Wee Women and Li'l Ones.<ref name=NYtimes/>
Miss Peach debuted on February 4, 1957, in the New York Herald Tribune, and ended up running for nearly 50 years.<ref name=NYtimes />
His comic strip Momma debuted on October 26, 1970. Although Lazarus based the title character on his own mother, she believed the character was based on his aunt, exclaiming, "You caught Aunt Helen to a tee!"<ref name=toon>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
In 1964, Lazarus talked about his background and working methods:
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I never actually graduated high school. My art teacher flunked me. I have since, however, attended many classes of one kind or another. I frequently lecture at colleges and to other groups around the country. I sold my first cartoon when I was 16. I did commercial art and edited children's magazines prior to February 4, 1957 when my comic, Miss Peach, was launched. The characters in Miss Peach are not actually modeled on real persons, with the possible exception of Lester, the skinny kid in the strip. Possibly the most loved character is Arthur, the dopey little kid. I make notes all week based on thoughts, conversational fragments, etc. I sift through all these notes on Monday mornings and select several to develop. I then write gags for them. I do six daily strips and a Sunday page.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>{{#if:|{{#if:|}}
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Lazarus served as president of the National Cartoonists Society for two consecutive terms, from 1989 to 1993.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
BooksEdit
His novel The Boss Is Crazy, Too (Dial, 1963) concerns Carson Hemple, art director of a comic-book and confession-magazine publishing company, who is told by the owner to help force the company into bankruptcy, and who responds with inventive embezzlement schemes.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The book was inspired by his time at Toby Press.<ref name=ncsobit />
The Neighborhood Watch (Doubleday, 1986) is about an impoverished Brooklyn writer who steals from his wealthy neighbors. Its protagonist, widowed father Loring Neiman, having turned to burglary when his book is rejected, discovers he has a knack for it. He prepares to give up the criminal life after becoming romantically involved with a married woman, but a criminally inclined neighbor coerces him into one purportedly final robbery.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> It was optioned for a movie.<ref name=syndicatebio />
AwardsEdit
Lazarus won the National Cartoonists Society's award for Newspaper Strip, Humor, in 1973 and 1979, both times for Miss Peach.<ref name=ncsawards>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
He won the Reuben Award for Outstanding Cartoonist of the Year, for Miss Peach, in 1981, and the organization's Silver T-Square Award in 2000.<ref name=ncsawards />
On January 23, 2016, Lazarus became the second recipient of the National Cartoonists Society Medal of Honor, established the year before.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Personal lifeEdit
Lazarus was married twice, first to Eileen Lazarus, which ended in divorce; then to Sally Mitchell,<ref name=NYtimes/> daughter of comic-strip gag writer Ed Mitchell.<ref name=ncsobit /> Lazarus lived in Los Angeles from the 1970s until his death on May 24, 2016.<ref name=ncsobit /><ref name=syndicatebio /> from complications from Alzheimer's.<ref name=NYtimes/><ref name=latimes>Template:Cite news</ref> He had three daughters, Margie, Suesan and Cathie; six grandchildren; and one great grandson.<ref name=ncsobit />
In popular cultureEdit
He made a cameo appearance in the 1992 Murder She Wrote episode "The Dead File."<ref>Template:Citation</ref>
His membership in Mensa was mentioned in the 1999 episode "They Saved Lisa's Brain" of The Simpsons.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
ReferencesEdit
External linksEdit
- Mell Lazarus at the Lambiek Comiclopedia
- Tribute to Mell Lazarus, excerpted from the documentary film by Sari Armington, The Folks Behind the Funnies