Mell Lazarus

Mell Lazarus (June 30, 1927 – April 8, 2015) was an acclaimed American cartoonist whose comic strips entertained millions of readers for decades. Born Melvin Lazarus in Bayonne, New Jersey, he adopted the shortened name 'Mell' professionally early in his career. He is best known for creating 'Momma,' a comic strip that debuted in 1970 and featured the domineering Mother Garzonas and her adult children, offering satirical commentary on family dynamics and generational relationships. His earlier strip, 'Miss Peach,' which ran from 1957 to 2002, focused on classroom antics and school life with a cast of memorable characters. Lazarus's work was renowned for its sharp humor, clever observations about human nature, and ability to resonate with both children and adults. His strips appeared in hundreds of newspapers nationwide and were collected in numerous books. Beyond cartooning, Lazarus was respected as a mentor to younger cartoonists and remained active in the industry for over six decades, receiving multiple awards and accolades for his contributions to American comic art and popular culture.