Al Hirschfeld
Al Hirschfeld was a renowned caricature artist known for his drawings in The New York Times, and he created a controversial caricature of Allen Funt for a CBS magazine.
Illustrator
June 21, 1903
Cancer
January 20, 2003
99
St. Louis, Missouri
Al Hirschfeld was a renowned American caricaturist, celebrated for his unique black and white illustrations of celebrities and Broadway stars, such as Charlie Chaplin, Groucho Marx, and Marilyn Monroe. He contributed to various productions in the entertainment industry, including the television show “The Ed Sullivan Show” and films like “The Great White Hope” and “The Sunshine Boys.” Hirschfeld received numerous accolades for his artistic contributions, including a Tony Award and a National Medal of Arts.
In an interesting incident, Hirschfeld was commissioned by CBS in 1963 to create illustrations for a preview magazine showcasing the network’s new TV programming for the fall season. His caricature of Allen Funt, the host of Candid Camera, greatly upset Funt, leading him to threaten to leave the network if the magazine was published. Today, Hirschfeld’s legacy lives on through exhibitions of his work at the New York Public Library and the availability of his artworks for purchase.