Jules Feiffer, a celebrated cartoonist and writer recognized with a Pulitzer Prize, passed away on Friday at the age of 95. Known for his extensive body of work that included comic strips, plays, screenplays, and children’s literature, he’s remembered for his vibrant contributions to various artistic mediums. His last book was released just four months prior to his death, demonstrating his enduring creativity.
Feiffer’s wife, JZ Holden, shared the news of his passing, stating he died from congestive heart failure at their residence in Richfield Springs, New York. He was surrounded by friends, their two cats, and some of his most recent artworks. While he had struggled with health issues in recent years, Holden remarked that he remained sharp, strong, and humorous until the end.
With a diverse artistic approach, Feiffer navigated different forms of expression throughout his career. His work explored the complexities of childhood curiosity, urban stress, and various societal issues, infused with sharp humor and keen insights into personal and political dynamics. As he elaborated in an interview with the Chicago Tribune, his creations often examined “communication and the breakdown thereof,” focusing on relationships across the spectrum—from familial to governmental.
A recipient of several prestigious accolades, Feiffer earned the Pulitzer Prize in 1986 for his cartoons, while his animated short film “Munro,” which he wrote, won an Academy Award in 1961. In 1996, his legacy was celebrated with a retrospective at the Library of Congress. He once expressed his creative mission: to provoke thought and emotion while bringing laughter, utilizing humor as a tool for engaging audiences.
Born on January 26, 1929, in the Bronx, Feiffer’s passion for drawing began early. He attended the Pratt Institute, an esteemed art and design school in Brooklyn, before working with Will Eisner, the renowned creator of “The Spirit.” Feiffer’s inaugural comic strip, “Clifford,” ran in the late 1940s until he was drafted into the Army in 1951, where he served for two years in the Signal Corps.
After completing his military service, he joined the then-nascent alternative newspaper, The Village Voice, where his work made its debut in 1956. This publication would become a significant platform for his voice, as he became a central figure there for over four decades with his comic strip titled simply “Feiffer.” The Village Voice’s liberal ethos provided an ideal backdrop for Feiffer’s sharp take on various cultural and political topics.
In 1997, he left The Village Voice due to a pay dispute, igniting a strong response from his loyal readership. Even after retiring his strip in 2000, Feiffer continued to engage in numerous creative endeavors, including writing novels that began with “Harry the Rat with Women” in 1963. His shift to plays was inspired by a notable societal change he felt was too complex to tackle in comic form.
His first play, “Little Murders,” premiered in 1967 and later received an Obie Award. Feiffer’s extensive oeuvre of plays and screenplays included the 1980 adaptation of “Popeye,” and the impactful narrative of “Carnal Knowledge,” which explores the toxic connections among two college friends over two decades—the stage and film versions featured prominent actors like Jack Nicholson and Candice Bergen. Feiffer also contributed to the provocative musical “Oh! Calcutta!”
After facing disappointing reviews for his 1990 play “Elliot Loves,” Feiffer redirected his focus to children’s literature, aiming to deliver hopeful messages to younger audiences. He had previously illustrated Norton Juster’s imaginative book “The Phantom Tollbooth” and began creating his own children’s stories, starting with “The Man in the Ceiling” in 1993, which later adapted into a musical in 2017.
In early 2019, the Bay Street Theater honored him with a surprise 90th birthday celebration, coinciding with a screening of “Carnal Knowledge.” Feiffer remained active in his later years, painting watercolors of his iconic characters and teaching humor-writing classes at multiple colleges. His most recent work, a graphic novel for young readers titled “Amazing Grapes,” was published last September. His wife remarked that he found great joy in crafting this book, reflecting his playful spirit. “He was a 5-year-old living in a 95-year-old’s body,” she shared.
