Al Jaffee Cause of Death

American veteran cartoonist, Al Jaffee has been reported dead by his family. According to his granddaughter, Fani Thomson, he died of multiple organ failure at a Manhattan hospital on Monday, April 10, 2023. He was 102 years old.

He was known to be the longest cartoonist for Mad Magazine whose work was considered unique and quite different. He ridiculed that his work helped  ‘corrupt the minds of generations of young Americans.’

Jaffee worked for Mad Magazine for 65 years and was the company’s longest contributor. He holds the Guinness World Record for having the longest-ever career as a comic artist. He was an active cartoonist for 78 years; from 1942 to 2020.

He started his career professionally in 1942 as an established and talented cartoonist who worked for several publications. He first worked for Jokers Comics in December 1942 and then moved to other publics like Timely Comics, Atlas Comics, and more. He once worked for Marvel Comics during the early part of his career.

He once shared that he considered himself an artist, strictly until editors and directors reviewed his portfolio in his early years.

“When prospective clients laughed and asked ‘Who wrote the gag?’ my response was, ‘I did, Sir.’ Which was very confusing since I didn’t realize any writing had taken place. I mean, writers used typewriters, smoked pipes, and wore scarves, right? When enough of them said, ‘Oh, you are a writer too?’ I took their word for it. Who was I to argue with my prospective employers?” he once shared during an interview.

In 1955, he started his career for Mad Magazine, before the company transformed from a comic book format to a magazine. However, he left the company after three issues along with its editor Harvey Kurtzman. They published their first two materials Trump and Humbug.

Humbug folded in 1958 and Jaffee took his unpublished work to Mad Magazine and submitted it to Bill Gaines.

“He called me into his office, sat me down on the couch next to him, and went over every issue and said, ‘Which one is yours?’ And as he came to each one, when he saw my stuff, he OK’d to hire me,” Jaffee shared.

Jaffee created the longest-running Mad feature in 1964 dubbed Fold In. The publication was structured in that each drawing is folded vertically and inward to reveal a new hidden – as well as a new caption..

Fold-in became one of the magazine’s most popular features and appeared in almost every issue for 56 years; from 1964 to 2020.

Tributes have been pouring in on social media following his death.

“We have lost one of the greatest cartoonists of all time. Al Jaffee passed away at the age of 102. An absolute legend, who contributed to Mad Magazine for 65 years. Arguably his biggest contribution was the fold ins at the end of each issue. This one always stuck with me,” Emmy award-winner. Danny Deraney wrote.

“I’m very sad to report that the great Al Jaffee has died. He had celebrated his 102nd birthday just last month. An incredible legend. RIP to a giant of cartooning,” Tom Heintjes.

“Rest in peace, Al Jaffee. I was so happy to be your friend,” American writer, Ian Scott McGregor wrote.

“So sad to learn that the legendary Al Jaffee, a foundational member of Mad Magazine’s “gang of idiots” has passed away after recently turning 102. The humor of several generations was shaped by his work. Farewell good sir,” Dan Pasternack wrote.

“Al Jaffee has passed away. I still can’t believe I had the honor of calling him my friend. If there was ever a Mt. Rushmore-level cartoonist, it was Al. But when he drew the cover of the Humbug compilation, he drew his friends atop Mt. Rushmore, while he made jokes at base,” American cartoonist, Ruben Bolling wrote.

“RIP Al Jaffee. He was 102 years old, so it wasn’t the midwife’s fault, as they say in Germany,” Creator of Scarfolk, Richard Littler also wrote.

“Saddened to hear of the passing of the legendary Mad Magazine cartoonist Al Jaffee. He celebrated 102 years just last month and what a legacy he leave behind. Rest easy, Maestro, and thank you for the laughs and good time,” Comic book writer, Francesco Francavilla also shared.