When was Art Moore Born?

As a cartoonist, Moore was behind beloved comic strips like The Rubble Family, entertaining newspaper readers for decades. He contributed to iconic animated films as an animator at Walt Disney Studios and Warner Bros. Moore also showcased his creativity as an author, writing novels and poetry infused with his trademark humor.

Quick Facts About Moore

Full Name:	Ernst Arthur Moore
Relationship Status:	Married
Spouse Name:	Gladys Shanks
Nick Name:	Art Moore
Date of Birth:	August 13, 1914
Birth Place:	Anaheim, California
Age:	91 years (at time of death)
Zodiac Sign:	Leo
Height:	5’2″
Net Worth:	$5 Million
Occupation:	Artist, Cartoonist, Animator, Writer
Citizenship:	United States
Death Date:	October 25, 2005

Biography

Art Moore was born in Anaheim, California, to parents Monroe and Edna Moore. Developing a passion for drawing at a young age, Moore began creating his cartoon strips as a child. Growing up during the 1920s and ’30s, he was inspired by popular comics like George Herriman’s Krazy Kat and Elzie Segar’s Thimble Theatre starring Popeye.

Early Life

While attending Anaheim High School, Moore honed his artistic talents and later studied fine arts at Santa Ana Junior College. After a brief stint working odd jobs, he pursued cartooning professionally.

Family

In 1940, Art Moore met his future wife, Gladys Shanks, while working at Disney Studios. The two married in 1945 and had two children together – a daughter named Valerie in 1947 and a son named Arthur Jr. in 1952.

Gladys supported Moore’s creative career and often collaborated with him. She helped create characters and wrote scripts for some of her husband’s most beloved projects.

Education

While Moore had natural artistic abilities from a young age, he also sought formal training to refine his skills. After finishing high school, he studied fine arts at Santa Ana Junior College in the 1930s.

Later in life, Moore took extension courses at the Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles to further develop his sketching, cartooning, and storyboarding talents. He was dedicated to constantly improving his craft.

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Career & Achievements

Art Moore’s professional art career began in 1935 when he started selling gag cartoons to major publications. His work appeared in popular magazines like The Saturday Evening Post, Collier’s, and The New Yorker.

Moore created single-panel cartoons featuring whimsical themes and hilarious punchlines. This early work established him as a master of comedic illustrations.

The Rubble Family

In 1949, Moore began drawing a comic strip titled The Rubble Family featuring a Stone Age suburban family. It became his most well-known and longest-running project.

Appearing in over 600 newspapers at its peak, The Rubble Family entertained readers with its prehistoric family sitcom premise and Moore’s sharp wit. The strip ran successfully for over three decades until Moore retired it in 1979.

Animation Work

In the late 1930s and 40s, Moore worked at Walt Disney Studios, contributing to early animated films like Dumbo, Bambi, and Fantasia. He started as an in-betweener before becoming an animator and storyboard artist.

Moore also lent his talents to Warner Bros. in the 1950s and 60s. He animated Looney Tunes shorts and helped design the iconic look of Marvin the Martian.

Novels & Poetry

While best known as a cartoonist, Moore pursued creative writing later in his career. He published a comedic novel titled Blunder Mouse 1946, featuring a bumbling rodent hero.

In the 1970s, Moore wrote two poetry collections – It’s Only Human and People, People, People – featuring insightful verses about the human experience. His books displayed his versatility as a writer.

Innovative Style & Lasting Legacy

Art Moore developed a unique style that blended humor and heart. His cartoons were always funny but often had an underlying sweetness to them as well. Moore also created wholesome, family-friendly content with plenty of jokes and gags for adult readers.

His creative career ended up spanning over 50 years. Moore’s artistic legacy lives on through beloved comics like The Rubble Family and the iconic animations he contributed to. Modern cartoonists continue to be influenced by his innovative style and storytelling skills.

Awards and Recognition

Over his decades-long career, Art Moore received numerous honors recognizing his creative talents:

• National Cartoonists Society Gag Cartoon Award (1956, 1957, 1958)
• Reuben Award from National Cartoonists Society (1959)
• International Society of Humor Award – Poetry (1978)
• Inkpot Award from San Diego Comic-Con (1979)
• Will Eisner Award Hall of Fame (1987)
• Disney Legends Award (1991)

His peers widely respected Moore. His nominations and wins highlight his immense impact as a cartoonist, animator, and author.

The Reasons for Art Moore’s Popularity

Several key factors contributed to Art Moore’s widespread popularity and fame:

Relatable Characters

The characters Moore created, like the Rubble Family, were relatable and resonated with mainstream audiences. Their humor and heartfelt moments reflected everyday experiences.

Artistic Talents

Moore was skilled at drawing, storytelling, and eliciting laughter through cartoons. His impressive talents allowed him to thrive across mediums.

Mass Exposure

With his cartoons published in hundreds of newspapers and films seen worldwide, Moore’s work reached huge audiences over decades. This mass exposure fueled his popularity.

Innovation

As one of the first cartoonists to focus work on suburban family life, Moore was an innovator. His fresh, creative approaches made him stand out.

Reputation for Quality

Moore gained a reputation for consistent comedic brilliance and high-quality art. It made his name synonymous with exceptional entertainment.

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Interesting Facts About Art Moore

Moore’s daughter Valerie also became a professional cartoonist who worked with her father on The Rubble Family. She helped write stories and eventually took over illustrating the comic strip before it ended.
The Rubble Family comic strip was so popular that a fan club called The Boulders formed in the 1960s. Members got a periodic newsletter about the latest Rubble Family developments.

Moore helped design the original look of Warner Bros. character Marvin the Martian while animating Looney Tunes shorts. His version of the character became the iconic standard. To keep his work fresh, Moore drew all his cartoons by hand and never relied on assistants or photocopying his previous drawings. Before The Rubble Family, Moore tried two other comic strip ideas – Travelogs in 1945 and Monty in 1946. Neither achieved the success of his Stone Age family concept.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Conclusion:

Art Moore left an indelible mark on the worlds of cartooning, animation, and literature over his 50+ year career. As the creator of the iconic comic strip The Rubble Family, he entertained millions with clever illustrations and witty writing. Moore also contributed his talents to classic animated films and published notable poetry and prose.

Though Moore avoided publicity, his creativity touched countless fans for generations. He brought people together through his humor and heartwarming stories. Moore’s talents as a cartoonist, animator, and author made him a legend whose influence still shines today. His funny, relatable characters live on as symbols of 20th-century pop culture. Art Moore demonstrated the timeless power of artistic expression and continues to inspire other artists even decades after his passing.