"Hello, I'm Jim Davis, and this is my cat Garfield."
James Robert Davis (born July 28, 1945) is an American cartoonist, television writer, television producer, screenwriter, and film producer.
Jim Davis was born in Marion, Indiana, and grew up on a small Black Angus cow farm. Davis often refers his upbringing as a major influence on his work.
He is best known for creating Garfield, a long-running comic strip that has been published since 1978.
Not to be confused with actor Marlin "Jim" Davis or Pooper Jimmy Davis.
Comic strips created by Jim Davis:
- Gnorm Gnat (1973-1975)
- Jon (1976-1978)
- Garfield (1978-present)
- U.S. Acresnote (1986-1989)
- Mr. Potato Head (2001-2003, with Brett Koth)
- Life According to Garfield (2009-2010)
Tropes and trivia:
- Approval of God: Davis gave his blessing to Garfield Minus Garfield and allowed it to be published as an official book, even contributing a few Garfield-less comics of his own.
- Art Evolution: His artstyle for Garfield and U.S. Acres evolved dramatically as the years passed. Garfield is itself evolved from its predecessor, Jon.
- Author Avatar: Jon was originally conceived as one by Davis (e.g. his cartoonist profession, growing up on a farm, sharing the same birthday, and having a brother named Doc).
- Creator Backlash: Davis will be the first to tell you that he is not happy with Gnorm Gnat. He also hardly mentions the existence of Jon, a prototype of Garfield.
- Creator Provincialism: According to Garfield Goes Hollywood and Happy Birthday, Garfield, Garfield, Odie and Jon reside in Muncie, Indiana, Davis' hometown.
- Does Not Like Spam: Raisins, hence why Garfield hates them.
- Money, Dear Boy: Davis has admitted to making Garfield with the intention of making money.
- Self-Deprecation: Davis opens Garfield's 20th anniversary book by claiming, "I was born July 28, 1945, in Marion, Indiana, and was promptly dropped on my head - which explains my lifelong desire to become a cartoonist."
- Write What You Know:
- Davis based Garfield on the pet cats his family owned in his youth.
- Garfield is named after Davis' grandfather, James A. Garfield Davis (himself named after the former president).
- Doc Boy is named after Davis' brother, Dave "Doc" Davis.
