What a blow to his family, friends, other cartoonists, and newspaper readers.

I remember reading Marlette’s work when I was a kid, and following his editorial work as an adult. He was one of those cartoonists I also wanted to meet one day.

Wow…this is sudden. My heart goes out to his family and friends.

It also shows what a tremendous and generous person Doug Marlette was. I never met him, but now I sure wish I had.

Maybe more of us need to cold-call the cartoonists who inspire us, if only to say thanks.

That night I sat down with a ball point pen and drew my first political cartoons and the next day I cold-called Doug Marlette at the paper. He agreed to see me.

He sat there, patiently, and flipped through my first cartoons. Without saying a word he gave me what is still the greatest compliment a cartoonist can receive – he laughed at my pictures.

He finally looked up and said, “You think like a cartoonist. You should do this for a living.”

And now I do.

More conversations and guidance followed, but the gasoline he poured on a smoldering fire that first meeting will keep me forever in his debt.

Thanks for laughing, Doug. My warmest wishes go out to your loved ones.

Nick Galifianakis

Just crazy.