Mort Drucker, legendary Mad magazine artist, dies At 91
Mort Drucker, the renowned caricature artist behind many movie posters and the satire illustrations of cult comedy staple Mad magazine, has died. He was 91.
Drucker is survived by his wife Barbara Hellerman, daughters Laurie Bachner and Melanie Amsterdam, and his three grandchildren. His longtime friend John Reiner confirmed his death to the New York Times.
Drucker, who was born in Brooklyn and got his start with Mad in 1956, was behind countless magazine illustrations, album covers, movie posters (including George Lucas’ first movie, “American Graffiti”), children’s books, adult coloring books and advertisements.
But he made his mark with his illustrations for the magazine’s movie and television satires. Starting in the ’60s, Mad magazine began releasing the parodies in theaters along with each magazine issue. By the end of his career in 2008, Drucker had illustrated more than half of the parodies.
Fan favorites included 1963’s “East Side Story,” a spoof of “West Side Story,” and a 1986 gag of Woody Allen’s “Hannah and her Sisters.”
His work put a humorous spin on popular culture, including politics and entertainment — many would recognize his 1970 TIME Magazine cover, “Battle for the Senate,” which featured politicians including President Richard Nixon and Vice President Spiro Agnew, all dressed in Spartan garb.
“I think I’ve drawn almost everyone in Hollywood,” he told The Times in 2000.
Fellow cartoonist John Reiner told CNN’s Jake Tapper that the artist was having trouble breathing on Friday, but that it didn’t appear to be a complication of the coronavirus, as Drucker was “quarantined for weeks with no other outside contact.”
Mort Drucker, the renowned caricature artist behind many movie posters and the satire illustrations of cult comedy staple Mad magazine, has died. He was 91.
Drucker is survived by his wife Barbara Hellerman, daughters Laurie Bachner and Melanie Amsterdam, and his three grandchildren. His longtime friend John Reiner confirmed his death to the New York Times.
Drucker, who was born in Brooklyn and got his start with Mad in 1956, was behind countless magazine illustrations, album covers, movie posters (including George Lucas’ first movie, “American Graffiti”), children’s books, adult coloring books and advertisements.
But he made his mark with his illustrations for the magazine’s movie and television satires. Starting in the ’60s, Mad magazine began releasing the parodies in theaters along with each magazine issue. By the end of his career in 2008, Drucker had illustrated more than half of the parodies.
Fan favorites included 1963’s “East Side Story,” a spoof of “West Side Story,” and a 1986 gag of Woody Allen’s “Hannah and her Sisters.”
His work put a humorous spin on popular culture, including politics and entertainment — many would recognize his 1970 TIME Magazine cover, “Battle for the Senate,” which featured politicians including President Richard Nixon and Vice President Spiro Agnew, all dressed in Spartan garb.
“I think I’ve drawn almost everyone in Hollywood,” he told The Times in 2000.
Fellow cartoonist John Reiner told CNN’s Jake Tapper that the artist was having trouble breathing on Friday, but that it didn’t appear to be a complication of the coronavirus, as Drucker was “quarantined for weeks with no other outside contact.”
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