12 Facts About Mel Lazarus

Melvin Lazarus was an American cartoonist, best known as the creator of two comic strips, Miss Peach and Momma.

Mel Lazarus, who dropped out of high school, published his first cartoon at 16, and later enlisted in the US Navy.

In 1964, Mel Lazarus talked about his background and working methods:.

Mel Lazarus served as president of the National Cartoonists Society for two consecutive terms, from 1989 to 1993.

In 1992, Mel Lazarus made a cameo appearance in the Murder, She Wrote episode "The Dead File".

Mel Lazarus prepares to give up the criminal life after becoming romantically involved with a married woman, but a criminally inclined neighbor coerces him into one purportedly final robbery.

Mel Lazarus won the National Cartoonists Society's award for Newspaper Strip, Humor, in 1973 and 1979, both times for Miss Peach.

Mel Lazarus won the Reuben Award for Outstanding Cartoonist of the Year, for Miss Peach, in 1981, and the organization's Silver T-Square Award in 2000.

On January 23,2016, Mel Lazarus became the second recipient of the National Cartoonists Society Medal of Honor, established the year before.

Mel Lazarus was married twice, first to Eileen Mel Lazarus, which ended in divorce; then to Sally Mitchell, daughter of comic-strip gag writer Ed Mitchell.

Mel Lazarus lived in Los Angeles from the 1970s until his death on May 24,2016.

Mel Lazarus had three daughters, Margie, Suesan and Cathie; six grandchildren and one great grandson.