A Cartoonist's Life

Brad Anderson and Marmaduke

Statue dedicated in 2016

Bradley Jay Anderson was born in Jamestown on May 14, 1924 and died on August 30, 2015 in The Woodlands, Texas. He was an American cartoonist and creator of the beloved comic strip, Marmaduke.  He attended and graduated from Syracuse University and was an active cartoonist from 1954-2015.  His widow is Barbara Anderson and they had 4 children. A daughter, Christine and 3 sons named Craig, Paul and Mark.  Paul has continued with the Marmaduke comic strip.  

Among his many awards was the Inkpot Award presented to Brad in 1975.  This award is an honor bestowed annually since 1974 by Comic-Con International.  It is given to professionals in the fields of comic books, comic strips, animation, science fiction and related areas of popular culture. The event is held in San Diego, California.  

Prior to college, Anderson graduated from Brocton Central School in Brocton, New York in 1942 and then served with the United States Navy until 1946 during which time he submitted cartoons to be published in several Navy publications.  Initially aspiring to become an industrial engineer, Anderson attended Syracuse University on the G.I. Bill.  In 1951, he graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts with a major in advertising.  He went on to work for Ball & Grier, an advertising agency in Utica, New York.  In 1953, Anderson decided to focus on freelance magazine cartooning.  From 1954 to 1966, he drew the comic strip Grandma's Boy.

Brad is best known for creating the comic strip, Marmaduke in 1954 which he continued to draw until his passing at age 91 of congestive heart failure.  He was laid to rest at Portland Evergreen Cemetery in Portland, New York. 

"During the time I was drawing various types of dogs in my magazine cartoons, I was also trying to develop a dog character specifically for eventual newspaper syndication.  You couldn't see the eyes of my shaggy dogs so as I thought more about it I decided I wanted a dog where I could have an expressive face."

Brad Anderson

Anderson drew on comedians, Laurel and Hardy routines for his ideas receiving the National Cartoonist's Society Newspaper Panel Cartoon Award for Marmaduke in 1978. 

Brad's studio was in his Texas home on Lake Conroe.  The studio has been re-created for the National Comedy Center in Jamestown, New York which opened on August 1, 2018. The donated studio includes Anderson's original drawing board and materials.  The first time I entered the NCC and took the tour I was not aware of this display honoring Brad though when I learned of its existence I was thrilled.  The reason being because I am proudly related to Brad Anderson on my father's side.  I never inherited the ability to create cartoon characters though I do enjoy writing.