Bil Keane, creator of Family Circus comic passed away on Nov 8, 2011 at the age of 89.
The Family Circus, began its run in 1960 and is continued by Keane's son Jeff.
The panel-strip focus' on a family modeled after Keane's own family. The father Bil, wife Thel, kids Billy, Dolly, Jeffy and PJ. The panel is unique in that it is drawn within a circle. The strip was originally called The Family Circle, but had to change due to objections from the magazine of the same name. Family Circus has also been adapted for several television specials and the panels have been compiled into many books.
Keane started his career when he was published in 1936 on the amateur page of the Philadelphia Daily News. While in the US Army, serving in Australia during World War II, Keane drew for Yank and Stars and Stripes. Keane also created the comic panel Channel Chuckles.
Keane was the recipient of National Cartoonists Society's Award for Best Syndicated Panel - 1967, 1971, 1973, 1974. NCS Cartoonist of the Year and Reuben Award 1982. Elzie Segar Award 1982...
I received the above pencil sketch of Jeffy in 1987, it was the first sketch I ever received, to start my collection.
Keane's oldest son Glen is an animator at Walt Disney Studios working on Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, Tarzan and Tangled...
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