Jim Davis is an American cartoonist, best known for creating the comic strip Garfield. Born on July 28, 1945, in Marion, Indiana, Davis grew up on a farm and developed an early interest in drawing. After attending Ball State University, he began working as an assistant to Tom Ryan, the creator of the comic strip Tumbleweeds.
In 1978, Davis created the character of Garfield, a lazy, food-loving cat who lives with his owner Jon Arbuckle and his dog Odie. The strip became an instant success, and today, it is syndicated in over 2,580 newspapers worldwide, making it one of the most widely-read comic strips in history. Garfield has also been adapted into multiple TV series, movies, and video games, making it a beloved cultural icon.
Davis is known for his distinctive style of drawing, which features simple, bold lines and expressive, exaggerated features. He has also published numerous books, including collections of Garfield comics, as well as children’s books and memoirs. In addition to his work as a cartoonist, Davis is also a philanthropist and supporter of various charitable causes.
In recognition of his contributions to the world of cartooning, Davis has received numerous honors and awards throughout his career. In 2002, he was inducted into the Licensing Hall of Fame, and in 2016, he received the Reuben Award for Outstanding Cartoonist of the Year from the National Cartoonists Society. Today, Jim Davis continues to create new Garfield comics and entertain fans of all ages with his beloved character.
Jim Davis & David Choe (Wikimedia)
If you are interested in knowing more about Jim Davis, it’s surely a good idea to look at these 28 interesting facts about Jim Davis.
- Jim Davis was born on July 28, 1945, in Marion, Indiana.
- He grew up on a farm, which inspired some of the characters in his comics.
- Davis graduated from Ball State University with a degree in art.
- His first job in the cartooning industry was working as an assistant to Tom Ryan, creator of the comic strip Tumbleweeds.
- Davis created the character of Garfield in 1978.
- Garfield’s name was inspired by Davis’s grandfather, James Garfield Davis.
- The character of Garfield was based on Davis’s own pet cat, a tabby named “Happy”.
- Garfield was originally rejected by several newspapers, but eventually gained widespread popularity.
- The Garfield comic strip is syndicated in over 2,580 newspapers worldwide.
- Garfield has been translated into 42 languages.
- The Garfield character has been featured in several animated TV series.
- Garfield has also been the subject of several movies.
- Davis has won multiple Emmy Awards for his work on Garfield TV specials.
- Davis is also the creator of several other comic strips, including U.S. Acres and Gnorm Gnat.
- Davis is an avid collector of comic strip art.
- He has published numerous books, including Garfield collections and children’s books.
- Davis was inducted into the Licensing Hall of Fame in 2002.
- In 2016, Davis received the Reuben Award for Outstanding Cartoonist of the Year from the National Cartoonists Society.
- Davis is a philanthropist and supports various charitable causes.
- He has a scholarship program at Ball State University for students interested in cartooning.
- Davis has a studio in Muncie, Indiana, where he creates his comics.
- He once wrote a Garfield comic strip in Klingon.
- Davis is a licensed pilot and enjoys flying in his spare time.
- He has a collection of over 11,000 Pez dispensers.
- Davis is a fan of jazz music and plays the saxophone.
- He has been married to his wife, Jill, since 2000.
- Davis has two children and several grandchildren.
- Davis once said in an interview, “The best advice I ever got was from my dad. He said, ‘If you’re going to do something, do it right, or don’t do it at all.'”
Jim Davis is an iconic figure in the world of comic strips and animation, having created one of the most beloved and recognizable characters in Garfield. His distinctive style of drawing, along with the humor and relatable themes of his comics, have made him a favorite of readers of all ages. Davis’s dedication to his craft and his philanthropic work have also made him a respected member of the cartooning community. His contributions have been recognized with numerous awards and honors, including induction into the Licensing Hall of Fame and the National Cartoonists Society’s Reuben Award. Jim Davis’s legacy as a talented and influential artist, as well as a kind-hearted and generous individual, will continue to inspire future generations of cartoonists and entertain millions of fans around the world.
