Date of Birth: March 14, 1920
Zodiac Sign: Pisces
Date of Death: June 1, 2001
Biography
Hank Ketcham was an American cartoonist best known for creating the long-running comic strip “Dennis the Menace.” Born in Seattle, Washington, Ketcham developed an interest in cartoons at an early age. He began his career working for Walter Lantz Productions, contributing to cartoons like “Woody Woodpecker.” During World War II, he served in the U.S. Navy and produced training films. After the war, he moved to New York and began working as a freelance cartoonist. In 1951, inspired by his own son’s mischievous behavior, Ketcham created “Dennis the Menace,” which quickly became a nationwide sensation. The comic strip was syndicated in numerous newspapers and adapted into various media, including television shows and a feature film. Ketcham continued to work on the strip until 1994 when he retired and passed the torch to his assistants.
5 Interesting Facts about Hank Ketcham
1. Hank Ketcham’s creation, “Dennis the Menace,” was inspired by his son, Dennis, who was four years old when the comic strip debuted.
2. “Dennis the Menace” was first published on March 12, 1951, and quickly gained popularity.
3. Ketcham received the Reuben Award for Outstanding Cartoonist of the Year in 1952.
4. He authored an autobiography titled “The Merchant of Dennis the Menace” in 1990.
5. Ketcham was inducted into the National Cartoonists Society Hall of Fame in 1984.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Hank Ketcham
1. “Flattery will get you everywhere.”
2. “I never drew a line in my life that didn’t make me happy.”
3. “Dennis is every little boy in the world.”
4. “Cartoons are a universal language. They speak to everyone.”
5. “Creating a comic strip is like running a marathon; it takes stamina and dedication.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At the peak of his career, Hank Ketcham’s net worth was estimated to be around $20 million.
Children
Hank Ketcham had three children: his son Dennis, who inspired the comic strip, and two daughters, Dania and Valerie, from his second marriage.
Relevant Links
1. [Hank Ketcham Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hank_Ketcham
2. [Dennis the Menace Official Site](https://www.dennisthemenace.com
3. [National Cartoonists Society](https://www.nationalcartoonists.com
5. [Hank Ketcham’s Reuben Award](https://www.reuben.org/ncs/awards/
