Jim Unger
Jim Unger | |
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Born | James Frederick Unger[1] 21 January 1937 London, England |
Died | 26 May 2012 Saanich, British Columbia,Canada | (aged 75)
Nationality | Canadian |
Area(s) | Cartoonist |
Notable works | Herman |
Awards | National Cartoonists SocietyNewspaper Panel Cartoon Award, 1982, 1987 |
James Frederick Unger(21 January 1937 – 26 May 2012) was a British-born Canadiancartoonist,best known for his syndicatedcomic stripHermanwhich ran for 18 years in 600 newspapers in 25 countries.[2]
Early life
[edit]Unger was born in London, England, to Lillian Maud and James Unger.[3]Unger served in theBritish Army,was enrolled as a Londonbobby,and worked as an insurance clerk and arepo man[4]before emigrating to Canada in 1968 at the suggestion of one of his sisters.[3][5]InMississauga, Ontariohe began his career as acartoonistat theMississauga Timesnewspaper. In 1974, asHermanbecame popular, Unger moved from Mississauga toOttawa, Ontario,bringing his parents and brother from Britain.[2][6]
Retirement and return
[edit]Unger moved to theBahamasin 1984 and retired as a cartoonist in 1992. Unger's friends encouraged him to give up retirement. He said he would not have suggested it himself, but he liked the idea. On 2 June 1997,Hermanmade a comeback under theUnited Mediaumbrella.[7]"It gives me the opportunity to bring them up to date and to introduce Herman to a new generation," he said in the 31 May 1997, edition of theDetroit News.He did not expect to return to full-time cartooning but planned to add new material. Unger signed a long-term contract to bring ten years of classicHermanback to newspapers.[8]He returned to Canada in his last years, settling in Saanich, British Columbia.[9]
Intraca
[edit]Unger was a co-founder of Intraca with David Waisglass, creator ofFarcus.Intraca uses the humour of popular cartoons and motivational quotes to inform and boost employees with "positive daily business messages" on their computers.Hermancharacters are also found on workplace posters promoting safety and improved production.[2]
Books
[edit]In 1990,Hermanbecame the first newspaper cartoon syndicated inEast Germany.Shortly afterward, Unger produced a new book,Herman: Over the Wall.He joked, "Six months later the (Berlin) Wall came down; I think that's what did it."[2]
Awards
[edit]Unger received theNational Cartoonists Society's Newspaper Panel Cartoon Award twice (1982, 1987).
Death
[edit]Unger died in his sleep at his residence inSaanich, British Columbiaafter a period of ill health. He was predeceased by his brother Bob, who was a major influence for theHermancomic.[6]Unger was survived by his two daughters, Karen Gooda and Jenny Hopkins, and four grandchildren as well as two sisters,[6]Deborah and Shirley who were living in Canada, and brother Steve who was living in the UK.[9]
References
[edit]- ^James Frederick UngerThe Canadian Encyclopedia.Retrieved September 12, 2023.
- ^abcdMcLeod, Susanna (4 May 2001)."Jim Unger, Creator of Herman".TheCartoonists.ca.Retrieved5 June2011.
{{cite web}}
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- ^abHawthorn, Tom (2 June 2012)."Cartoon everyman's exposure to ridicule made Herman universally appealing".The Globe and Mail.Archived fromthe originalon 8 August 2014.Retrieved4 June2012.
- ^"Andrews McMeel Syndication - Home".syndication.andrewsmcmeel.
- ^"CTV News:" Jim Unger, creator of 'Herman' comic strip, dead at 75 ", 30 May 2012".30 May 2012.
- ^abc"Herman creator Jim Unger dies in his sleep".Hamilton Spectator.30 May 2012. Archived fromthe originalon 19 August 2012.Retrieved3 June2012.
- ^"'Herman' ends retirement (sort of) ".Telegraph Herald.20 May 1997. p. 3.Retrieved3 June2012.
- ^Detroit News,31 May 1997.
- ^abZilio, Michelle (31 May 2012)."Jim Unger, creator of Herman cartoon, dies at 75".Ottawa Citizen.Archived fromthe originalon 3 June 2012.Retrieved3 June2012.
External links
[edit]- 1937 births
- 2012 deaths
- Artists from London
- Artists from Ontario
- British Army soldiers
- Military personnel from London
- 20th-century British Army personnel
- British comic strip cartoonists
- British comics artists
- British emigrants
- Canadian comic strip cartoonists
- Canadian comics artists
- English male writers
- Immigrants to Canada
- Immigrants to the Bahamas
- Naturalized citizens of Canada
- Writers from London