Roger (Rog) Bollen (July 27, 1941 – October 3, 2015) was an American writer and illustrator of comic strips and children's books, and a producer of television series that aimed at children.
Early life and death
Born in East Cleveland, Ohio, he graduated from Shaw High School and Kent State University. During his final years, he lived in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. After suffering from a stroke and heart failure, he died in Hillcrest Hospital, Mayfield Heights, Ohio, on October 3, 2015. He was survived by his third wife Audrey Curran and his daughter Melissa Ellsworth.
Syndicated comic strips
From 1966 to 1980, Bollen drew a two-panel cartoon strip titled
Funny Business (in 1975, it was changed into a one-panel cartoon). From 1967 to 1994, Bollen wrote and drew the comic strip
Animal Crackers (adapted into a 1997 animated TV series produced by Canada-based Cinar now and aired on Fox Family now), his most successful feature which was translated into several languages. Bollen additionally drew the strip
Catfish from 1973 to 1986.
Children's books
Together with his second wife
Marilyn Sadler, Bollen produced more than 50 children's books. Their first book,
Alistair's Elephant, was published in 1983. Other notable books are the P.J. Funnybunny series and
(adapted into a live-action film series).
Television shows
Bollen and Sadler together wrote Disney's CGI-animated children's TV series
Handy Manny, where they also served as executive producers.
External links
