LOCAL

Photos: Garfield

Garfield also appeared on television specials from 1982 through 1991, as well as a Saturday morning cartoon show from 1988 through 1994 and a CGI-animated series on cable networks from 2009 through 2016. Here Garfield sits on the lap of Jon, dressed as an elf, in "A Garfield Christmas" from 1987.
Garfield also appeared on television specials from 1982 through 1991, as well as a Saturday morning cartoon show from 1988 through 1994 and a CGI-animated series on cable networks from 2009 through 2016. Here Garfield sits on the lap of Jon, dressed as an elf, in "A Garfield Christmas" from 1987.
The Columbus Dispatch
Jim Davis at his studio in Albany, Indiana, where he writes the Garfield comic strip [File photo]
Jim Davis at his studio in Albany, Indiana, where he writes the Garfield comic strip [File photo]
The Columbus Dispatch
Many products have been marketed with Garfield, including this aquarium from 1992. [File photo]
Many products have been marketed with Garfield, including this aquarium from 1992. [File photo]
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Jim Davis was also an early innovator in making Garfield available online through the company PAWS, Inc., which he founded to control Garfield's marketing. Here in 1993, Tim Bird, director of Information Services at PAWS, Inc. of Muncie, Ind., demonstrates a new computer application that allowed access to some 60,000 images of the famous cat. [File photo]
Jim Davis was also an early innovator in making Garfield available online through the company PAWS, Inc., which he founded to control Garfield's marketing. Here in 1993, Tim Bird, director of Information Services at PAWS, Inc. of Muncie, Ind., demonstrates a new computer application that allowed access to some 60,000 images of the famous cat. [File photo]
The Columbus Dispatch
In 1998, Garfield joined the Got Milk? advertising campaign, showing off a milk mustache grin on outdoor billboards. (Business Wire photo)
In 1998, Garfield joined the Got Milk? advertising campaign, showing off a milk mustache grin on outdoor billboards. (Business Wire photo)
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Some fans became obsessed with Garfield, such as Mike Drysdale and Gayle Brennan of Duarte, Calif. Here their own cat, Gizmo, poses with some of the Garfield memorabilia in Drysdale and Brennan's home in 1998. [Ken Lubas/Los Angeles Times]
Some fans became obsessed with Garfield, such as Mike Drysdale and Gayle Brennan of Duarte, Calif. Here their own cat, Gizmo, poses with some of the Garfield memorabilia in Drysdale and Brennan's home in 1998. [Ken Lubas/Los Angeles Times]
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A Mr. Potato Head stands on the drawing board as cartoonist Jim Davis works on a drawing for a new strip that he is creating for Mr. Potato Head in his studio in Albany, Ind., Friday, June 1, 2001. Davis, the "Garfield" creator, is creating a new strip starring Mr. Potato Head, that favorite toy of the baby-boomer generation. [Michael Conroy/The Associated Press]
A Mr. Potato Head stands on the drawing board as cartoonist Jim Davis works on a drawing for a new strip that he is creating for Mr. Potato Head in his studio in Albany, Ind., Friday, June 1, 2001. Davis, the "Garfield" creator, is creating a new strip starring Mr. Potato Head, that favorite toy of the baby-boomer generation. [Michael Conroy/The Associated Press]
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In this publicity image released by PAWS, Inc., comic strip creator Jim Davis is shown in a personalized strip for his Garfield comic that was a product that could be ordered by Garfield fans in 2010. [PAWS, Inc.]
In this publicity image released by PAWS, Inc., comic strip creator Jim Davis is shown in a personalized strip for his Garfield comic that was a product that could be ordered by Garfield fans in 2010. [PAWS, Inc.]
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Garfield the cat was created by cartoonist Jim Davis. The first Garfield comic strip appeared on June 19, 1978, in 41 newspapers. By the early 2000s, the strip appeared in more than 2,500 newspapers and was reckoned the world's most widely syndicated comic strip. [File image]
Garfield the cat was created by cartoonist Jim Davis. The first Garfield comic strip appeared on June 19, 1978, in 41 newspapers. By the early 2000s, the strip appeared in more than 2,500 newspapers and was reckoned the world's most widely syndicated comic strip. [File image]
The Columbus Dispatch
Jim Davis, creator of Garfield, came to Columbus and the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library at Ohio State in 2010 to celebrate the U.S. Postal Service issuing stamps with Garfield and other comic strip characters. Here Davis, right, laughs it up with a Garfield mascot and an Archie Andrews mascot at the Ohio Union during unveiling of the postage stamps on July 16, 2010. [Eric Albrecht/Dispatch]
Jim Davis, creator of Garfield, came to Columbus and the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library at Ohio State in 2010 to celebrate the U.S. Postal Service issuing stamps with Garfield and other comic strip characters. Here Davis, right, laughs it up with a Garfield mascot and an Archie Andrews mascot at the Ohio Union during unveiling of the postage stamps on July 16, 2010. [Eric Albrecht/Dispatch]
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