
Person
Harvey Kurtzman
Writing · 1924–1993 · Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Biography
One of the most influential, yet unsung, figures in American humor, cartoonist Harvey Kurtzman created "Mad Magazine" in 1952, and for the next few years served as its editor and primary writer. After his departure from "Mad, " he created two more humor magazines, "Trump" and "Help!" Although neither was as successful as "Mad", "Help!" did help launch the careers of a number of future luminaries, including Woody Allen, Terry Gilliam, John Cleese, Robert Crumb and Gloria Steinem. Kurtzman's sole foray into screenwriting, the animated Mad Monster Party? (1967), demonstrates much of the famous "Mad" comedy (including a reference to one of the magazine's trademark nonsense words, "veeblefetzer") and has developed a strong cult following.
Known for

Oh Yeah! Cartoons
Creator

Comic Book Confidential
Self

When We Went MAD!
Self (archive footage)

Mad Monster Party?
Writer
The Masters of Comic Book Art
Self

The Comic Book Greats: Compendium
Self

The Comic Book Greats: Harvey Kurtzman and Jack Davis
Self
Filmography
- 2025When We Went MAD!Self (archive footage)
- 1998Oh Yeah! CartoonsCreator
- 1992The Comic Book Greats: CompendiumSelf
- 1992The Comic Book Greats: Harvey Kurtzman and Jack DavisSelf
- 1989Comic Book ConfidentialSelf
- 1987The Masters of Comic Book ArtSelf
- 1967Mad Monster Party?Writer
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