Here’s a photo of legendary cartoonist Al Ross taken in September 2009, when he was 97 years old. He celebrated his 98th birthday on October 19th. That’s him on the right, with his son, Arlen.
My thanks to Dave Colombo, a collector of cartoon and comic art, for letting me know about this photo. It was posted by Arlen Ross on his blog, and you can read more about both father and son, and their musical connection, right here.
Dave Colombo also told me that he recently acquired this original strip drawn by Al Ross, probably from the 1940’s or 1950’s.
It was of particular interest to me because I didn’t realize that Al Ross ever tackled a comic strip — I thought of him only as a single-panel gag cartoonist.
Dave says he would love to find out if the strip was ever published, and where. Dave Colombo’s site, where he shares this strip and other comic art acquisitions, is comicartfans.com
So a belated Happy 98th Birthday to you, Al Ross!
Thanks for this, Eli. I am a fan of Al Ross’ cartoons and to not only get to see a photo of the man himself, but also read about the encouragement of a father to a son (at Arlen’s blog — a heartwarming story) and then find out about this syndicated strip — well, WOW! You just made my holiday season!
Belated Happy Birthday, Al Ross!
Left by Mike Lynch on December 18th, 2009
Hey! Great piece about my dad, Al Ross, but the man on his right is my ex-father in law…I, Arlen Roth, his son, TOOK that pic, and I am much younger than that!! Thanks so much!
Left by Arlen Roth on April 22nd, 2010
Oops — sorry for the mix-up, and thanks for the correction. I guess one should never assume anything, but that’s exactly what I did.
Left by Eli on April 22nd, 2010
I am looking for a copy of two cartoons I believe you did in Nov ‘09
One : “The light at the end of the Tunnel”
two: “Now Leaving Iraq” again Nov ‘09
If you have them on your web site, where would that be. If not
yours sorry to bother you. Looked around your site and I did like the cartoons listed there.
Fletch
Left by Rolland Fletcher,Jr on May 14th, 2010
Not mine, Fletch. I think you’re looking for Ed Stein, who is an editorial cartoonist. Try googling his name and you should get information on how to contact him.
Left by Eli on May 15th, 2010
Dear Al, may I call you Al?
discovered your book ‘Cartooning Fundamentals’ in the library in London UK. Knock out what can I say it had everything that a drawing student wanted, and showed things in such clarity. It was then stolen from the library! For decade I tried to get hold of it and asked people to get it for endless birthdays, with no luck. Out of print as far as the UK is concerned. Not until the internet was invented did manage to get hold of a copy again from the USA.
Now I have 5 just in case I lose one. Why dont you do a reprint and publish it again. It will piss anything we have here. David Grant UK
Left by Dave Grant on July 8th, 2010