‘Clifford’ Dog Creator Norman Bridwell Dead At 86


“Clifford the Big Red Dog” brightened up many a childhood since his first publication in 1963. For almost half a century, a number of books followed, each bearing the warmth and humor of its creator, Norman Bridwell.

Unfortunately, the writer and illustrator of this iconic children’s book character died on December 12 at the age of 86. It took a while for most media outlets to catch on and the news really started circling the web late Tuesday night.

Bridwell resided at Martha’s Vineyard for decades, and it was only fitting that the MV Times would be one of the first to break the news of Clifford’s creator’s passing. His obituary appeared there on December 16.

Clifford Dog Creator Norman Bridwell Poses With Creation

According to Scholastic Books, which Bridwell helped place on the map as one of the publishing company’s most successful authors, Clifford’s creator was born in Kokomo, Indiana in 1928. He studied at the John Herron Art Institute in Indianapolis and Cooper Union Art School in New York before working as a commercial artist for 12 years.

He was around 34 years of age when, strapped for cash and needing to support a wife and infant daughter, he began illustrating picture books.

“Because of his young daughter, Bridwell chose to write a story about an illustration he had made of a little girl and a big red bloodhound. He decided to make the dog very big and more of a general, all-around dog instead of a bloodhound,” the tribute continued, adding that the original name for his Clifford dog was “Tiny.”

His wife found the name “too boring” and suggested “Clifford” based on one of her imaginary friends as a young child.

The name stuck.

In all, Clifford the Big Red Dog has sold 60 million copies across 40 titles. It has also inspired videos, a TV series, and a feature film with an animated Clifford and a live action cast, due in theaters on April 8, 2016, according to ComingSoon.

The film has been rumored since May 2012 and made its rounds to different studios, finally settling at Universal. While Norman Bridwell was unable to see his creation on the big screen, it’s unlikely a 90-minute feature could hold a candle to all the young lives that he did touch as a result of his work.

As we stand to salute a life well-lived, the Inquisitr bids a fond farewell to Norman Bridwell. We offer our heart-felt condolences to his family and to the millions of kids who loved his creation. As for Clifford the Big Red Dog, it’s likely that we’ll see more of him for generations to come.

[Image via mvtimes.com and Vineyard Gazette]

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