Harvey Kurtzman
Born: 1924-10-03 in Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Died: 1993-02-21
Known For: Writing
Biography
One of the most influential, yet unsung, figures in American humor, cartoonist Harvey Kurtzman created "Mad Magazine" in 1952, and for the next few years served as its editor and primary writer. After his departure from "Mad, " he created two more humor magazines, "Trump" and "Help!" Although neither was as successful as "Mad", "Help!" did help launch the careers of a number of future luminaries, including Woody Allen, Terry Gilliam, John Cleese, Robert Crumb and Gloria Steinem. Kurtzman's sole foray into screenwriting, the animated Mad Monster Party? (1967), demonstrates much of the famous "Mad" comedy (including a reference to one of the magazine's trademark nonsense words, "veeblefetzer") and has developed a strong cult following.
Filmography
2025
- When We Went MAD! as Self (archive footage)
1998
- Oh Yeah! Cartoons ... (Creator)
1992
1989
- Comic Book Confidential as Self
1987
- The Masters of Comic Book Art as Self
1967
- Mad Monster Party? ... (Writer)