Bil Keane

Date of Birth: October 5, 1922

Zodiac Sign: Libra

Date of Death: November 8, 2011

Biography

Bil Keane, born William Aloysius Keane, was an influential American cartoonist best known for creating the long-running comic strip “The Family Circus.” Keane was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he developed an early interest in drawing and cartooning. His career began in the U.S. Army during World War II, where he drew cartoons for the military publication, “Yank” and “The Stars and Stripes.” After the war, Keane worked for the Philadelphia Bulletin, which honed his skills and led to the creation of “The Family Circus” in 1960. The comic became one of the most widely syndicated comic strips in the world, known for its gentle humor and heartwarming portrayal of family life. Keane continued to draw the strip until his death in 2011, leaving a lasting legacy in the world of cartooning.

5 Interesting Facts about Bil Keane

1. Bil Keane’s “The Family Circus” was inspired by his own family life, including his wife Thel and their five children.

2. Keane’s son, Jeff Keane, took over “The Family Circus” after his father’s death and continues to draw the comic strip.

3. “The Family Circus” is known for its distinctive single-panel circular format, which is different from the traditional multi-panel comic strips.

4. Bil Keane won the National Cartoonists Society’s Elzie Segar Award in 1982 and the Silver T-Square Award in 2002.

5. Keane’s work has been translated into more than a dozen languages and has been published in over 1,500 newspapers worldwide.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Bil Keane

1. “Yesterday’s the past, tomorrow’s the future, but today is a gift. That’s why it’s called the present.”

2. “Cartooning is a wonderful career, and I’d be delighted to see more young people take it up.”

3. “The Family Circus is based on reality. Even if the situations are exaggerated, the emotions are always real.”

4. “Laughter is the best medicine, and in our family, we take it regularly.”

5. “I consider myself a cartoon journalist, reporting on the true spirit of family life.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Bil Keane’s highest net worth was estimated to be around $8 million.

Children

Bil Keane had five children with his wife, Thelma “Thel” Carne Keane. Their names are Glen, Neal, Christopher, Jeff, and Gayle. Jeff Keane is also a cartoonist and has taken over the family business by continuing to draw “The Family Circus.”