Gus Arriola
Gus Arriola | |
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National Cartoonist Society 's Humor Comic Strip Award, 1957, 1965 |
Gustavo "Gus" Arriola (July 17, 1917 – February 2, 2008) was an American comic strip cartoonist and animator, primarily known for the comic strip Gordo, which ran from 1941 through 1985.
Biography
Gus Arriola was born in
Immediately after
Gordo (1942–1985)
Although Arriola did not visit Mexico until 1961, he used the human and animal characters of his strip to introduce Mexican culture to readers throughout the world.[1] Gordo was initially designed to be a Mexican version of Li'l Abner, with a highly caricatured style and a lazy overweight title character who spoke in heavily accented English and took naps under a tree wearing a sombrero.[1] The character reflected popular conceptions of Mexicans at the time, particularly Leo Carrillo's portrayal of The Cisco Kid's sidekick, Pancho, on television and film.[2]
After his early strips were criticized for
Arriola did all of the writing, illustration and production of Gordo himself, creating strips every day (except in his army years) for 45 years.
The last Gordo strip was published on March 2, 1985.
Personal life
While working on Gordo Arriola lived in
Arriola met his wife, Mary Frances, at MGM in 1939. They remained married until his death.[2]
He died in Carmel on 2 February 2008. Shortly before his death he received a lifetime achievement award from the
On February 20, 2008, the comic strip Baldo noted, "In memory of our amigo Gus Arriola, 1917–2008." The March 21, 2008, version of the comic strip La Cucaracha, by Lalo Alcaraz, was also a tribute to Arriola.
Awards
- 1957 and 1965 – National Cartoonists Society Humor Comic Strip Award
- 2007 – Arts Council for Monterey, CaliforniaLifetime Achievement Award
References
- ^ a b c d e Wyatt Buchanan (February 3, 2008). "Gordo cartoonist Gus Arriola dies in Carmel". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 2008-02-03.
- ^ a b c d e f g Maureen Davidson (January 17, 2008). ""Gordo" opened U.S. readers to Mexico; its creator to be honored for his lifetime achievement". Monterey County Weekly. Retrieved 2008-02-03.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Gus Arriola, Cartoonist". Carmel Art Association. Archived from the original on 2008-02-01. Retrieved 2008-02-03.
- ^ a b "Accidental Ambassador Gordo: The Comic Strip Art of Gus Arriola". University Press of Mississippi. Archived from the original on 2019-07-14. Retrieved 2008-02-03.
- ^ a b c Hector Cantu (November 30, 2000). "Gordo creator took accent off stereotype". The Dallas Morning News.
- ^ "The Gus Arriola Interview, Hogan's Alley, 1998". Archived from the original on 2015-02-02. Retrieved 2013-01-16.
- ^ "'Gordo" creator Arriola dies at age 90". San Jose Mercury. Associated Press. February 2, 2008. Retrieved 2008-02-03. [dead link]
- Monterey Herald