Fred Rhoads
Encyclopedia
Fred Rhoads was an American
cartoonist
best known for his contributions to George Baker
's Sad Sack
.
Born in Shamokin, Pennsylvania
, Rhoads studied illustration in New York from 1940 to 1942, at which time he joined the U.S. Marine Corps to serve during World War II
. He drew the Gismo and Eight Ball cartoon series in the Marine's Leatherneck Magazine
. He also assisted several cartoonists, including Mort Walker
(Beetle Bailey
), Jimmy Hatlo
(They'll Do It Every Time
) and Fred Lasswell
(Barney Google and Snuffy Smith
).
In 1954, Harvey Comics and Baker brought in Paul McCarthy to draw the Sad Sack titles, followed by Rhoads, Jack O'Brien and Joe Dennett. Others who periodically drew for the titles included Warren Kremer
and Ken Selig. Baker retained editorial control and continued to illustrate the covers of Sad Sack comics until his death in 1975. During the three decades Rhoads drew Sad Sack, he also did several spin-off features, including Gabby Gob and The Sarge.
During the 1980s and early 1990s Fred Rhoads worked as an editorial cartoonist for the Tucson Citizen in Arizona.
Rhoads, who suffered from Alzheimer's disease, died February 20, 2000, in Greenwood, South Carolina
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
cartoonist
Cartoonist
A cartoonist is a person who specializes in drawing cartoons. This work is usually humorous, mainly created for entertainment, political commentary or advertising...
best known for his contributions to George Baker
George Baker (cartoonist)
George Baker was a cartoonist who became prominent during World War II as the creator of the popular comic strip, The Sad Sack.-Early life and education:...
's Sad Sack
Sad Sack
The Sad Sack is an American fictional comic strip and comic book character created by Sgt. George Baker during World War II. Set in the United States Army, Sad Sack depicted an otherwise unnamed, lowly private experiencing some of the absurdities and humiliations of military life. The title was a...
.
Born in Shamokin, Pennsylvania
Shamokin, Pennsylvania
Shamokin is a city in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, at the western edge of the Anthracite Coal Region. At the 2000 census the population was 8,009 residents...
, Rhoads studied illustration in New York from 1940 to 1942, at which time he joined the U.S. Marine Corps to serve during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. He drew the Gismo and Eight Ball cartoon series in the Marine's Leatherneck Magazine
Leatherneck Magazine
Leatherneck Magazine of the Marines is a magazine for United States Marines. It was first published as a newspaper by off-duty Marines at Marine Corps Base Quantico in 1917, and was originally named The Quantico Leatherneck...
. He also assisted several cartoonists, including Mort Walker
Mort Walker
Addison Morton Walker , popularly known as Mort Walker, is an American comic artist best known for creating the newspaper comic strips Beetle Bailey in 1950 and Hi and Lois in 1954. He has signed Addison to some of his strips.Born in El Dorado, Kansas, he grew up in Kansas City, Missouri...
(Beetle Bailey
Beetle Bailey
Beetle Bailey is an American comic strip set in a fictional United States Army military post, created by cartoonist Mort Walker. It is among the oldest comic strips still being produced by the original creator...
), Jimmy Hatlo
Jimmy Hatlo
James Cecil Hatlo , better known as Jimmy Hatlo, was an American cartoonist who created in 1929 the long-running comic strip and gag panel They'll Do It Every Time, which he wrote and drew until his death in 1963...
(They'll Do It Every Time
They'll Do It Every Time
They'll Do It Every Time was a single-panel newspaper comic strip, created by Jimmy Hatlo, which had a long run over eight decades. It first appeared on February 5, 1929 and continued until February 2, 2008. The title of the strip became a popular catchphrase, still used today by many people who...
) and Fred Lasswell
Fred Lasswell
Fred Lasswell was an American cartoonist best known for his decades of work on the comic strip Barney Google and Snuffy Smith.Born in Kennett, Missouri, he got his start as a sports cartoonist for the Tampa Daily Times...
(Barney Google and Snuffy Smith
Barney Google and Snuffy Smith
Barney Google and Snuffy Smith, originally Barney Google, is a long-running American comic strip created by cartoonist Billy DeBeck . Since its debut on June 17, 1919, the strip has gained a huge international readership, appearing in 900 newspapers in 21 countries...
).
In 1954, Harvey Comics and Baker brought in Paul McCarthy to draw the Sad Sack titles, followed by Rhoads, Jack O'Brien and Joe Dennett. Others who periodically drew for the titles included Warren Kremer
Warren Kremer
Warren Kremer was an American comics writer and artist best known for his creation of the Harvey Comics characters Richie Rich, Hot Stuff the Little Devil and Stumbo the Giant. His style is known for big, bold compositions, and a keen sense of contrast and color.- Childhood and early career...
and Ken Selig. Baker retained editorial control and continued to illustrate the covers of Sad Sack comics until his death in 1975. During the three decades Rhoads drew Sad Sack, he also did several spin-off features, including Gabby Gob and The Sarge.
During the 1980s and early 1990s Fred Rhoads worked as an editorial cartoonist for the Tucson Citizen in Arizona.
Rhoads, who suffered from Alzheimer's disease, died February 20, 2000, in Greenwood, South Carolina
Greenwood, South Carolina
Greenwood is a city in and the county seat of Greenwood County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 22,071 at the 2000 census and had slightly increased to 22,710 according to a 2009 estimate.-Geography:...
.