11 Facts About Mell Lazarus

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

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

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

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

Mell 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.

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

Mell 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, Mell Lazarus became the second recipient of the National Cartoonists Society Medal of Honor, established the year before.

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

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

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