Morrie Brickman (July 24, 1917 – March 15, 1994)[2] was a cartoonist.[3] His nationally syndicated comic strip The Small Society was published in over 300 papers, including 35 foreign publications.[3]

Morrie Brickman
Born(1917-07-24)July 24, 1917
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
DiedMarch 15, 1994(1994-03-15) (aged 76)
Evanston, Illinois, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
Area(s)Cartoonist
Notable works
The Small Society
Spouse(s)
Shirley Kronenthal
(m. 1945)
ChildrenHarriet Brickman Raredon[1] and Paul Brickman

Biography

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Brickman was born in Chicago, Illinois. His career as an artist began slowly, as he worked odd jobs selling and repairing shoes, as a housekeeper for Esquire illustrator John Groth, and an advertising designer. With the money saved from this work, Brickman took classes at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Brickman was a commercial artist, creating illustrations for many companies. His most recognizable is Mr. Yoyo, the brand character for Duncan yoyos. He also wrote and illustrated books, including Don't Do It Yourself, about home repair.

Brickman created the acclaimed semi-autobiographical comic strip The Small Society in 1966, which ran in over 300 publications worldwide, distributed by the Washington Star Syndicate. According to his daughter, Harriet, the main character "Mensch was my father's alter-ego" and "Not incidentally, Mensch's wife's name was Shirl, the same as my mother's."[3] In his profile in the July 1955 issue of Popular Science, he noted that his home workshop was the source of many of his cartoons.[4] When he retired in 1985,[3] the strip continued with art and script by Bill Yates. Brickman wrote a play entitled Coming of Age based on his experiences after finishing The Small Society.

Brickman married Shirley Kronenthal in 1945 and had two children: Harriet Brickman Raredon and Risky Business writer/director Paul Brickman.[3][5] He died in Evanston, Illinois, on March 15, 1994.[3]

References

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  1. ^ Brickman, Harriet (2003). "Morrie Brickman: A Mensch for His Time". Hoo-Boy! Morrie Brickman's The Small Society. The Ohio State University Libraries.
  2. ^ "United States Social Security Death Index," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/JRL9-23R : accessed 21 Feb 2013), Morrie Brickman, 15 March 1994; citing U.S. Social Security Administration, Death Master File, database (Alexandria, Virginia: National Technical Information Service, ongoing).
  3. ^ a b c d e f Kenan Heise (March 17, 1994). "Morrie Brickman, Creator Of 'Small Society' Cartoon". Chicago Tribune.
  4. ^ Wylie, Kenneth (July 1955). "He Makes Jokes in His Shop". Popular Science: 145–148. Retrieved 20 November 2013.
  5. ^ "Shirley Brickman, nee Kronenthal, 88, beloved wife of the late Morrie Brickman". Chicago Tribune. January 13, 2009. ...devoted mother of Harriet (Thomas Raredon) and Paul Brickman (Jennifer Schweitzer)
  6. ^ "Morrie Brickman, Creator Of `Small Society' Cartoon" by Kenan Heise
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