Theodore W. Drake
Encyclopedia
Theodore "Ted" W. Drake (September 2, 1907 – May 25, 2000) was an American cartoonist, graphic artist, and sports artist known for his iconic creation, the Notre Dame Leprechaun
.
Drake is probably best remembered for the creation of the Notre Dame Leprechaun
, for which he was paid $50. The Leprechaun was first used on the 1964 football pocket schedule and later on the football program covers. An immediate success, the Leprechaun was featured on the cover of Time
magazine in November 1964.
In the early 1950s, Drake was the main graphic artist for the Kukla, Fran and Ollie
television puppet show, creating its opening titles along with album covers, newsletters, advertisements, and even Christmas cards.
Mr. Drake lived most of the later part of his life in Elkhart, IN and was married to Charlotte from Elkhart. Mr. Drake was prolific well into his later years, in a number of graphic mediums including oil on canvas.**
Notre Dame Leprechaun
The Notre Dame leprechaun is the mascot of the University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish. He appears at athletic events, most notably at football games. It was designed by noted sports artist Theodore W...
.
Drake is probably best remembered for the creation of the Notre Dame Leprechaun
Notre Dame Leprechaun
The Notre Dame leprechaun is the mascot of the University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish. He appears at athletic events, most notably at football games. It was designed by noted sports artist Theodore W...
, for which he was paid $50. The Leprechaun was first used on the 1964 football pocket schedule and later on the football program covers. An immediate success, the Leprechaun was featured on the cover of Time
Time (magazine)
Time is an American news magazine. A European edition is published from London. Time Europe covers the Middle East, Africa and, since 2003, Latin America. An Asian edition is based in Hong Kong...
magazine in November 1964.
In the early 1950s, Drake was the main graphic artist for the Kukla, Fran and Ollie
Kukla, Fran and Ollie
Kukla, Fran and Ollie is an early American television show using puppets, originally created for children but soon watched by more adults than children. It did not have a script and was entirely ad-libbed...
television puppet show, creating its opening titles along with album covers, newsletters, advertisements, and even Christmas cards.
Mr. Drake lived most of the later part of his life in Elkhart, IN and was married to Charlotte from Elkhart. Mr. Drake was prolific well into his later years, in a number of graphic mediums including oil on canvas.**
External links
- Boardman Comics Monographs #3
- Ted Drake, Notre Dame and Sports Artist
- Ted Drake, Kuklapolitan Artist
Sources
- The Spindrift Cartoons: 1943 edited by Matthew H. GoreMatthew H. GoreMatthew H. Gore is a British historian, popular culturist, and educator residing in Memphis, Tennessee. He is best known for his book The History of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Kentucky to 1988 , but has published on a variety of topics as diverse as The Origin of Marvelman , the...
(Ellendale: Tennessee, 2008).- Personal Aquaintence with Mr Drake.
- Family Members
- Personal Aquaintence with Mr Drake.