Fred Rhoads

Fred Rhoads was an American cartoonist best known for his decades-long work on the *Sad Sack* comic book series. He was born on October 17, 1921, in Shamokin, Pennsylvania, and died on February 26, 2000, in Greenwood, South Carolina.

After studying illustration in New York from 1940 to 1942, Rhoads served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II. While in the service, he drew the *Gismo* and *Eight Ball* cartoon series for *Leatherneck Magazine*. Following the war, he assisted prominent cartoonists including Mort Walker (*Beetle Bailey*), Jimmy Hatlo (*They'll Do It Every Time*), and Fred Lasswell (*Barney Google and Snuffy Smith*).

In 1954, Harvey Comics brought Rhoads in to draw the *Sad Sack* titles, a role he would fill for three decades. He also created spin-off features such as *Gabby Gob* and *The Sarge*. During the 1980s and early 1990s, he worked as an editorial cartoonist for the *Tucson Citizen* in Arizona.

Rhoads suffered from Alzheimer's disease in his later years. His career spanned over five decades, with his most credited work appearing on *Sad Sack Comics*, *Sad Sack and the Sarge*, and *Sad Sack Laugh Special*.