Jim Davis' Net Worth

Jim Davis is a renowned American cartoonist, best known for creating the Garfield comic strip. He was born on July 28, 1945, in Marion, Indiana, United States. Davis grew up on a farm and later attended Ball State University, where he studied art and business.

After college, Davis worked for several years as an advertising executive before devoting himself to cartooning full-time. In 1978, he created the Garfield comic strip, featuring a lazy, lasagna-loving cat and his hapless owner Jon Arbuckle. Garfield quickly became a hit, appearing in newspapers around the world and spawning a media franchise that includes books, television shows, movies, and merchandise.

Today, Jim Davis is one of the wealthiest cartoonists in the world, with an estimated net worth of $800 million. In this article, we'll take a closer look at Davis's career and how he built his fortune.

Early Career

After college, Davis worked as an assistant to Tom Ryan, the creator of the Tumbleweeds comic strip. He later became an advertising executive, working for companies like the J. Walter Thompson Agency and the Tatham-Laird & Kudner Agency.

During his time in advertising, Davis created a comic strip called Gnorm Gnat, which featured a hapless insect protagonist. The strip was syndicated in a few newspapers but didn't achieve much success.

In 1976, Davis began work on a new comic strip, called Jon. The strip featured a human protagonist named Jon Arbuckle and his pets, including a cat named Garfield. Davis was initially uncertain about the viability of a strip featuring a cat as the main character, but he was encouraged by his wife, who loved cats.

Garfield's Rise to Fame

The Garfield comic strip debuted in newspapers on June 19, 1978. It was an immediate hit, appearing in over 100 newspapers within its first year. By 1981, the strip was being published in over 1,000 newspapers worldwide.

Garfield's success can be attributed to several factors. The character was instantly relatable to pet owners and animal lovers, with his lazy demeanor and obsession with food. Davis's art style was also appealing, with bright colors and simple, expressive characters.

As the Garfield franchise grew, Davis began to license the character for use in other media. In 1982, Garfield made his television debut in a holiday special called Garfield on the Town. The special was a hit, and several more Garfield specials followed.

In 1988, Garfield made his big-screen debut in the movie Garfield: The Movie. The movie was a moderate success, grossing over $75 million worldwide. Several more Garfield movies have been released since then, including Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties and Garfield's Pet Force.

In addition to movies and TV shows, Garfield has been featured in a wide range of merchandise, including books, clothing, toys, and video games. The character's likeness can be found on everything from coffee mugs to car air fresheners.

Other Ventures

In addition to his work on Garfield, Jim Davis has been involved in several other ventures over the years. In the early 1990s, he created a new comic strip called U.S. Acres, which featured a group of farm animals. The strip was syndicated in over 500 newspapers but was never as successful as Garfield.

In 1994, Davis opened the Garfield and Friends Cartoon Museum in his hometown of Muncie, Indiana. The museum features exhibits on cartooning and animation, as well as a collection of Garfield memorabilia.

Davis has also been involved in philanthropic efforts. In 2002, he donated $1