Age, Biography and Wiki

Norman Mingo was born on 20 January, 1896 in Chicago, IL, is an American artist (1896–1980). Discover Norman Mingo's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Learn How rich is he in this year and how he spends money? Also learn how he earned most of networth at the age of 84 years old?

Popular As N/A
Occupation illustrator
Age 84 years old
Zodiac Sign Capricorn
Born 20 January 1896
Birthday 20 January
Birthplace Chicago, IL
Date of death 8 May, 1980
Died Place Tarrytown, New York
Nationality United States

We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 20 January. He is a member of famous Writer with the age 84 years old group.

Norman Mingo Height, Weight & Measurements

At 84 years old, Norman Mingo height not available right now. We will update Norman Mingo's Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible.

Physical Status
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Dating & Relationship status

He is currently single. He is not dating anyone. We don't have much information about He's past relationship and any previous engaged. According to our Database, He has no children.

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Norman Mingo Net Worth

His net worth has been growing significantly in 2023-2024. So, how much is Norman Mingo worth at the age of 84 years old? Norman Mingo’s income source is mostly from being a successful Writer. He is from United States. We have estimated Norman Mingo's net worth, money, salary, income, and assets.

Net Worth in 2024 $1 Million - $5 Million
Salary in 2024 Under Review
Net Worth in 2023 Pending
Salary in 2023 Under Review
House Not Available
Cars Not Available
Source of Income Writer

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Timeline

1896

Norman Theodore Mingo (January 25, 1896 – May 8, 1980) was an American commercial artist and illustrator.

He is most famous for being commissioned to formalize the image of Alfred E. Neuman for Mad.

A prolific magazine illustrator in the Norman Rockwell vein, Mingo resided in the Chicago area for decades before retiring to Tarrytown, New York.

As a child, he won an art contest, receiving art materials and a correspondence course as a prize.

Mingo had early professional success, even dropping out of high school for a year due to his workload.

1920

In the 1920s and early 1930s, he ran a Chicago ad studio whose staff included future Captain Marvel artist C. C. Beck; the studio closed during the Great Depression.

Thereafter he worked largely as a freelancer, including as an illustrator for various advertising agencies and magazines, including The American Weekly, Ladies' Home Journal and Pictorial Review.

He drew Hollywood paper doll books with oversized heads of actors such as Bette Davis, Deanna Durbin and Rita Hayworth.

1946

He provided a bikinied pin-up girl for a 1946 Mennen Skin Bracer advert, signed with his distinctive Mingo script.

In addition to pin-up art, he also illustrated for paperbacks (Pocket Books), served as a traditional portraitist, painting such subjects as General George S. Patton Jr., and drew numerous movie posters including Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.

1956

In 1956, Mingo answered an ad in The New York Times for an illustrator ("National magazine wants portrait artist for special project"), and was selected by Mad publisher William Gaines and editor Al Feldstein to create a warmer, more polished version of a public domain character the magazine had been using.

Previously, the magazine had printed a rougher image and re-drawings of the character, which were randomly dubbed "Melvin F. Coznowski" or "Mel Haney" in addition to "Alfred E. Neuman."

Norman Mingo painted eight Mad covers in 1956–57 before his more regular work with the top-tier Dancer Fitzgerald Sample advertising agency took up all of his time.

Mingo had actually landed both jobs on the same day.

While working exclusively in advertising, Mingo illustrated campaigns for a variety of companies including General Mills cereal, L&M cigarettes, Falstaff Beer and the U.S. Army.

1958

During Mingo's absence, Kelly Freas rendered Neuman for Mad from 1958 to 1962.

1962

Mingo returned to Mad in 1962 and painted most of its front covers until 1976.

Most of his Neuman images were a combination of watercolor and acrylics, but he occasionally experimented with different media.

1965

Mingo's Mad cover total surpassed Freas' in 1965, and his leading status endured until 2016, when current contributor Mark Fredrickson became the most prolific Mad cover artist with his 98th cover.

Combining the regular issues (including some back covers), the reprint "MAD Specials" and the paperbacks, Mingo produced more than 200 original covers for Mad.

Fellow cover artists Jack Rickard and Bob Jones have remarked that Mingo was the only one who could paint the Neuman character perfectly "on model" every time.

1975

A born-again Christian, Mingo began signing his covers (executed in gouache) with the ichthys beneath his name in 1975, beginning with Mad #174.

At that time he and his wife Margaret attended the Second Reformed Church in Tarrytown, New York.

1976

He also drew occasional Mad-related assignments for others, such as an Alfred-ized version of beleaguered New York City Mayor Abraham Beame in 1976 for The New York Times.

1979

His last Mad cover appeared on issue #211 (December 1979).

Mingo produced 97 Mad covers in total, plus over 100 additional cover images for Mad's many reprint Specials and its line of paperbacks.

In contrast to his usual rendering of the definitive Neuman face, Mingo created a dramatic variation in 1979, after the Three Mile Island accident.

On the back cover of issue #210, with an exaggerated version of the plant's meltdown in the background, Alfred stands in front of cracking cooling towers, sweating and hair standing on end, and abandons his trademark grin for a grimace as he says, "YES...ME WORRY!".

60 years old when he took his first Mad cover assignment, Mingo was the oldest of the magazine's regulars to make his debut.

He was also the only veteran of World War I ever to write or draw for Mad, having served three years in the Navy.

1980

Mingo died on May 8, 1980, after a lengthy illness.

2008

In November 2008, Mingo's original cover featuring the first "official" portrait of Neuman sold at auction for $203,150.

2019

The Panglossian Simpleton had appeared in many guises and variations since the 19th century, including in dental advertisements that assured the public of minimal tooth-pulling pain.

Mingo's initial painting was the first time Neuman had appeared in color.

Mad editor Al Feldstein recalled the day Mingo responded to the ad at the Mad offices:

"In walked this little old guy in his sixties named Norman Mingo, and he said, “What national magazine is this?” I said “Mad,” and he said, “Goodbye.” I told him to wait, and I dragged out all these examples and postcards of this idiot kid, and I said, “I want a definitive portrait of this kid. I don't want him to look like an idiot; I want him to be loveable and have an intelligence behind his eyes. But I want him to have this devil-may-care attitude, someone who can maintain a sense of humor while the world is collapsing around him.”"

Permanently named "Alfred E. Neuman," the character became Mad magazine's mascot with issue #30.