Beetle Bailey Creator Mort Walker Honored Ahead Of 90th Birthday


Beetle Bailey creator Mort Walker is being honored by several of his colleagues and admirers ahead of his 90th birthday. The acclaimed cartoonist celebrates the occasion on September 3.

The popular newspaper comic strip featuring the nation’s favorite lazy Army private started way back in 1950. Although Walker is rapidly approaching his 90th year on the planet, he recently told The Associated Press that he doesn’t intend to stop drawing cartoons anytime soon.

In addition to receiving birthday wishes from the likes of Dolly Parton and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Martin Dempsey, the comic strip creator is receiving acknowledgement from New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Connecticut Governor. Dannel P. Malloy.

Mort Walker has reportedly received a little help on his Beetle Bailey comic strip over the years. Jerry Dumas, Bob Gustafson, Frank Johnson, and Walker’s sons have all helped out with the Bailey’s adventures at one point.

According to Wikipedia, the character wasn’t always a lazy Army recruit. During the strip’s first year of existence, he was a Rockview University student. Walker based several of the characters on the people he knew during his days at a University of Missouri fraternity.

However, Beetle Bailey eventually dropped out of school and joined the army. That’s pretty much where he’s remained since 1951. The strip, which is among the oldest still being crafted by its original creator, revolves around the shenanigans that take place at Camp Swampy.

According to the Republican American, the character has a connection to another newspaper comic strip. The website explains that Beetle Bailey’s sister is Lois Flagston from Hi and Lois. That series was created by Mort Walker and illustrator Dik Browne.

When you stop to read the adventures of Beetle Bailey on Tuesday morning (September 3), remember to take a moment to silent wish creator Mort Walker a happy birthday. What is your favorite character is the cartoonist’s popular comic strip?

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