Walt Handelsman is the two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning nationally syndicated editorial cartoonist for Newsday. He joined the paper in February of 2001.
Before that, Walt worked for The Times-Picayune in New Orleans from 1989-2001, The Scranton (PA) Times from 1985-1989, and a chain of 13 Baltimore and Washington suburban weeklies from 1982-1985.
Walt, 51, a graduate of The University of Cincinnati, creates cartoons that appear in over 200 newspapers around the country and internationally. They are frequently reprinted in Newsweek, USA Today, The New York Times, The Washington Post and the Chicago Tribune.
In early 2006, Walt taught himself Flash animation and now creates animated editorial cartoons that are viewed by zillions of fans across the Internet.
In addition to Handelsman’s two Pulitzers, he has also been awarded two National Headliner Awards, the Society of Professional Journalists Award, the Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award, The Scripps Howard National Journalism Award and The 2007 Online News Association's Best Online Commentary Award for his animations.
He is the author of eight collections of his editorial cartoons as well as a children’s book published in 1995.
He lives with his wife, Jodie, and two sons, James and Billy, on Long Island.
Comments (125)
Walt, this was sent to me....and it would be me...age 61 grandma and started my third career last year www.grammology.com a blog for grandmothers. Hoping we can do more the family and kids. There seems to be a lot missing in the area of role models for these kid...unless you consider Nicole Smith or Brittney Spears a role model?
made me laugh, during my day job where I sell commercial real estate...
Thanks
Dorothy from grammology
remember to call your grandma
Dear Walt;
This was sent to me by a very close friend. I was wondering.....perhaps by some chance, do you know of anyone who would be interested in a recent graduated of the Savannah College of Art and Design looking for an entry level job anywhere in the U.S. as a 3-D animator? Perhaps you can help us out? This job would be for my son, Jared. It would also help if you know anyone who could possibly use an intern in this field. He graduated SCAD with a GPA in excess of 3.0 with a minor in sequential art. He is desperately looking for any entry level position. Thanks for your possible help.
How wonderful! You really captured our generation. We boomers will never slow down! Thanks for the fun.
Great animation! Funny, relevant, witty. Keep up the good work.
Are you any relation to Bud Handelsman, a cartoonist for the NEW YORKER? We were friends way back then.
I'm sending this to my BB children who are now grandparents.
As for me, I'm off to Panama with my husband (who is 91) on a cruise, where we will swim and bike all day and dance the tropical nights away. No health complaints here.
I loved it, made my day, I just laughed and laughed, now I have to forward to all my fellow boomers. Thanks
I am 59 yes a baby boomer and you are the best. To laugh out loud when alone is rare for me but beside my cousin you accomplished that. Thank you
Walter, you probably don`t remember me my name is Marvin Cohn. I am Alan Cohn`s father and was the coach of the Midget Level Little League Baseball team that both you and Alan were on. Congratulations on your awards.
Yes, yes, yes and yes! Between self and friends....can just about check every box. What a masterpiece! THANK YOU!
AS I WAS CLEANING OUT MY BOOKCASES TODAY I FOUND
MY GENUINE DEDICATED SIGNED EDITION OF "POLITICAL
GUMBO".. THE DEDICATION READS-------"FRED-- WHAT DO
YOU THINK? WALT 6/94.
MY FORMER NEIGHBORHOOD FRIEND FROM LAKE VISTA
HAS DONE WELL AND HE DESERVES ALL THE ACCOLADES
DUE A RAVING LIBERAL .
WELL NEW ORLEANS IS IN A REAL STATE OF FLUX AND IT
LOOKS LIKE WE WILL MAKE IT,
IF YOU THINK IT WAS A GUMBO THEN IN POLITICS YOU
SHOULD SEE IT NOW , ITS A JAMBALAYA .
WE ARE THROWING OUT THE BUMS WHO HAVE
DESTROYED THE CITY FOR OVER 30 YEARS.
I THINK YOU KNOW WHO I MEAN.
YOU SHOULD COME DOWN FOR A WHILE AND SEE WHATS
HAPPENING. YOU COULD FILL ANOTHER BOOK .
EVERY BODY IS WELL MY DAUGHTERS HAVE GIVEN ME
THREE GRANDCHILDREN . THAT OUGHT TO MAKE YOU
FEEL REALLY ANCIENT..........
WELL ENOUGH OF MY DRIVEL, I HAVE TO OIL MY WHEEL
CHAIR.
TAKE CARE OF YOUR FAMILY AND GIVE THEM MY LOVE.
PULITZER TODAY TOMORROW THE NOBEL
LOTA LUCK CHERE
BIG FRED HARPER
Walt,
Someone just sent me the "boomer' animation and it was great. Glad to see you continue to expand your talents and horizons.Best to your family and tell Jodie,"Hello!"
John
Walt,
This was one of the best animations I have seen. Loved the music since
I am a with a blues band and a baby boomer myself. Great Job. Smiled through the whole thing. Roberta Chadis from Salem, Massachusetts
Walt -
This was sent to me by an old friend. Too bad I'm too young to understand it! ;-)
My friends are now enjoying you also!
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
Joanee
=^..^=
Woodstock, N.Y.
DOS 7.15.88
-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-
Brilliant! I have reviewed many - brilliant! I am going to try to catch up and watch all the oldies (no pun intended!) Keep them coming! Thank you!
Nancy
Wonderful! I laughed so hard, almost had to change my diaper ... from TM (age 57), Amherst, Mass.
Walt,
LOL, how 'bout making one for Gen X of which I am a member of (age 38)
loved this laughed and smiled through the whole song and it is so true. Are you selling a copy of this by chance, great... I have sent it on to many of my boomer friends and know they will enjoy it. Thanks
Dear Walt,
Recieved e-mail from 50 something friend.(funny and sad). I'm 40. A biproduct of parents way older than yours I suspect. My father was a bombaderr in WWII, were he alive today he'd have been 93. As a late bloomer; thier history rings ture in my heart and mind. If you can do anything, please find a way through animation to show story of history which gives credit to everything our parents generation has worked for. I hope you might realize respect for history and not be like masses.
Best Regards,
jen
ps congrats on work and accomplishments. I hope you remember and are able to reflect the true story -
You are so talented and love this. Laughter is so good for the soul maybe it will keep us younger longer.
Skeeter
Frisco, Texas
Great cartoons! How can I get you daily?? My cousin sent me your blog and with my web setup I can't figure how to keep you online as a favorite. Also were are related to the Max Handlesman family originally from Youngstown,Ohio who owned a butchershop!!!
As a Flower Child whose petals have withered and whose leaves are falling, "Born, Tubby, Mild" is just the thing to play to psyc me up before I going for a ride on my GoldWing Trike!
just had a great laugh and will send this one around to my email list.....feel like it's been full circle, Still have your cartoon of the cycle. took out loans to pay my college tuition. Still reading your cartoons and now look forward to your video treats as well. We love you. m....lee and jesse
Hi Walt,
Just a note from your old New Orleans Friend. Teddy's gone, but she would have loved your Boomer production... Hope all is well with you and yours.
In Harmony, Sherwood
Thank you, thank you! I have been a fan of editorial cartoons since I was a kid in the 50's & 60's. Even though back then I might not have totally understood them, I sensed there was something funny about them that I needed to know about. Love your stuff so keep it coming! As hard as it is at times, we need to laugh!
Rick McNamer
55yr. old "Boomer"
I would like to receive your blog. I laughed til I cried reading your babyboomer cartoons.
Thank you
Walt, you are adorable....thanks for making a movie
of my life. Keep up the great work...
Oh to be talented!! Maybe in my next life.
Best Sheila.
What creative brilliance. I LOVED your BORN, TUBBY, MILD...You're either very insightful, or you planted a camera in our house. Thanks!!
Love, love, love your sense of humor...can't believe you are so young. All of my crowd is turning sixty this year and you have definitely tickled our funny bones. Now I am off to Barnes and Noble to buy your books! Thanks for the laughs!
Thanks for a great laugh! I'm just past the babyboomers (nearly 64) but I keep young and take many great suppliments each day. So does my 75 year old husband. People can't believe we are soooo young.
Just a note of thanks or the "Born, Tubby, Mild" animation..
So very FUNNY and I'm to old to be a Boomer..No matter,much of this is true of my age group also..Thank You.
The cartoons are cute. I just wish you would actually put some truth in them. But I guess if you did, the moron, pot smokin' baby boomers wouldn't find any of it funny.
And it wouldn't be.
Very clever and insightful..... Thanks!
Walt,
I just received your cartoon & I laughed till tears started.. I am celebrating my 55th birthday tomorrow& this was perfect.. Sorry to see the blog from the person who had no sense of humor & thought it was intellegent to tear your creativity apart.. Oh well, it takes all kinds.. Have a nice holiday & keep the cartoons comming.
Thanks,
Sharon
sorry.. don't like it..
at all..
kinda silly and really does not represent the boomer generation..
we still have so much work to do that no one seems to be doing.. we are still vital and powerful and i personally do not like the geriatric jokes .. i do not think getting old is an actual option..
we will go out in the same boom as we came in..
and as an artist i can honestly say the cartoon quality is reminiscant of the 50 somethign newspaper type cartoons.. not all that memorable..a
sorry for such a non conformist comment...
but then i was born to be wild
peace
Boomer animation funny? Please consider this point of view. Full article can be read here:
FindArticles - Ageism is touchy topic for older boomers
Ageism is touchy topic for older boomers
Deseret News (Salt Lake City), Sep 5, 2004 by David Crary Associated Press
"NEW YORK -- Greeting-card and novelty companies call them "Over the Hill" products: the 50th Birthday Coffin Gift Boxes featuring prune juice and anti-aging soap; the "Old Coot" and "Old Biddy" bobblehead dolls; the birthday cards mocking the mobility, intellect and sex drive of the no-longer-young.
Many Americans chuckle at such humor. Others see it as offensive, as one more sign of pervasive ageism in America.
It's a bias some also see in substandard conditions at nursing homes, in pension-plan cutbacks by employers, in the relative invisibility of the elderly on television shows and in advertisements.
"Daily we are witness to, or even unwitting participants in, cruel imagery, jokes, language and attitudes directed at older people," contends Dr. Robert Butler, president the International Longevity Center-USA and the person who coined the term "ageism" 35 years ago."
...
Thank you so much for the great laughs! This is what keeps us boomers young..yeah!!! We're still going....
Walt,
Very clever parody.
I have been looking for someone to collaborate with on my music publishing catalog. I have some ideas about an internet cartoon strip.My father-in-law is Jay Livingston. His daughter, my wife and I, own the publishing rights to many of his songs. Pls check it out and let me know if you have any ideas.
Cheers,
Randy Talmadge
Dear Walt,
You are funny, clever & just what the world needs!!
We also create something the world needs more of - harmony..
Are you for hire? Or a philanthropist? I wonder if you would create a cartoon to go along with any of the 20 songs on our new CD & post it ? We are not computer people but we are preserving the art of a cappella soul - we have some light/fun lyrics & some deep/message songs..
Just a thought.. you can reach me at julie713@cox.net & you can hear some clips at www.jerrylawson.biz
Thanks again for the laughs!
URL...HTML????...YIKES I GUESS I'VE GOTTA' BRUSH UP ON SOME STUFF...I'M 53 YEARS OLD, A PROUD GRANDPA OF A 1 1/2 Y.O. GRANDSON. I HAVE BEEN EMPLOYED WITH A NEW YORK CITY BASED CABLE TV FIRM FOR 32 YEARS NOW...AND AS FAR BACK AS I CAN REMEMBER I HAVE BEEN SPOOFING AT LIFE'S GOINGS ON THRU DRAWING. CARTOONS CHARACATURES, AND OTHER FORMS OF MERRIMENT..INCLUDING CLAY MODELING WHICH I GIVE AWAY AS GIFTS. I ENJOY BEST WHEN A GROUP OF PEOPLE ARE DISCUSSING A TOPIC IN A CORNER OF AN OFFICE OR ROOM EX:SPORTS HOBBIES ETC I WILL WHIP UP A CARTOON WHICH PORTRAYS THEM IN ACTION...AND THEY FALL APART LAUGHING WHEN I PRESENT IT TO THEM.
JUST WANTED TO SAY HI. HOPEFULLY SOME DAY I WILL TURN FUN INTO A LIVELYHOOD.sincerel thanks frank p.
hI Walt- just for your info- My neice is married to Sam Whitehead- a great cartoonist- many of his works(cartoons) are seen in many magazines- do you of him!! Flora in Florida
Walt...thanks for bringing my eyes tears of laughter. I hope you and yours never let us forget the pleasure of laughing at ourselves.
I can certainly relate to your witty animation. At age 58, I now go to my aerobics class wearing a wrist brace and avoid some of the back exercises because of previously fractured discs. I keep wondering what will go next. How long will I be able to keep this up? Despite the frustrating infirmities, I can still exercise as long and hard as I did in my 20's. Keep the animations coming.
How do I subscribe to this page?
Hi Walt. I know this may sound silly, but I am wondering if you are a relative to our Handelsman family? My father in law, Lester Handelsman had 3 syblings- of which 2 had passed. Steve Handelsman is our cousin who is a news reporter. The spelling of our name is unique. If you are a relative, please feel free to email me at coweyesone^@yahoo.com
Thank you.
Walt,
Your blog was forwarded to me through a friend up in PA. As usual I enjoyed seeing your work and loved the animation bit. Apparently, one of symptoms of aging for some folks is crabbiness.........email sometime to catch up. Love to JD, Billy, Jodie.
Kirk
Dear Walt I am the person who helped make the baby boomers.
at age 81, I am enjoying the produce of the Baby Boomer son & daughters grandchildren, even the twins of a twin.
having 3 my self we now have 10 grand children, that equals up to 14 great-grandchildren and so the Baby Boomers sperms go.
At 81 the Boomers give me lots of laughs like you.
Ginny
Walt,
I enjoyed this very much. Thank you for creating a humorous video that made my day!
Mark
Walt,
Great cartoon! And guess what????
We broke our treadmill just this morning!!!!!
Gary
My very first time to the animations today and all I can say is, "Unbelievable!"
I bow in humble service to your immeasurable genius.
how can I open you on MAC
Hi Walt,
I LOVED "Bored, Tubby and Mild!" I found it to be incredibly creative and highly entertaining, as well.
This is not the mode with which I would normally attempt to contact you, however, as I couldn't locate an e-mail address for you, this will have to do.
I co-host a nostalgia radio show called "Remember When" - that originates out of Philadelphia. Our powerful signal reaches 38 states and all of Canada.
I would love to play your Steppenwolf parody on our show; I know our listeners would get a big kick out of it. I noticed that it's copyrighted, so I'm asking for your permission to air it on our radio program. May we?
Kindly advise.
Warm regards,
Steve Ross
Mr. Handelsman, you made me scream! (Uh, not THAT way....)
Thanks for sharing your profundity and your talent.
E.T.
Hey Walt!
I just saw your Baby Boomers animation. Hilarious! How have you been? How are Jody and the kids doing? Hey, man...you're still funny!!! I have always enjoyed your intellectual humor. Keep it up, please.
You have definitely captured me -- you always seem to put a smile on my face! Thank you!
Hey Walt:
After the poker game, I googled you and learned that you had won another Pulitzer Prize. What a tremendous body of work. There is no telling the impact it makes. Cheney singing Loverley is one of the funniest things I have ever seen. You are awesome.
Have a great holiday.
Jeff
Dear Walt, You have a wonderful mind... I love your cartoons. The Baby Boomers animation is perfect... we relate to it. It's so great..I love the Bush cartoons also. Please keep giving us more of your talent and great sense of humor that we need it ;)
Wow..that was a riot. You have us oldies down to a pat! Thank you for the smiles! Can't wait for my husband to get home from work to show him. He's a youngun' ..only 52 but I know he'll get as much as a "charge" as I (62) did. It must make you feel "warm and fuzzy" to "know" just how many people you made smile...us oldsters need all the smiles we can get.
"BABY BOOMER"... THAT was "The cat's pajamas!" Definately going to put your web site in my book." A smile a day keeps the doctor away." THANK YOU WALT!!!
I have just been "Handlsman-ed" approx. 5 mins ago....WOW****
WISH I COULD HAVE A DAILY DOSE!!!!
GOD BLESS YOU,
RENA L. RUSSELL
GARLAND, TEXAS
You 2 got way to much time on your hands man!
Walt...
Your cartoons should come with a warning lable: COFFEE SENSITIVE! -- A friend just sent Aging Baby Boomers to me and I almost spewed my morning coffee all over the screen and keyboard! --Hilarrious!-- Now that I know where to find fantastic entertainment I will be back often!
Thanks....
Cheryl
(an aging baby boomer!)
i can not stay here any more
I loved "Baby Boomer". I am also proud to be a baby boomer because we are putting "YOUNG" into the 50+ bracket. By that I mean that I realize the older I get, the younger I really am.
Debbie Barth, Executive Assoicate-Talk Fusion
The "Baby Boomer" video just Kills me!! WHAT a funny awakening to getting older. At LEAST we can laugh about it. SO funny and SO TRUE!!! THANKS for the laugh!!! AND the laugh at myself!!!
The "Baby Boomer" video just Kills me!! WHAT a funny awakening to getting older. At LEAST we can laugh about it. SO funny and SO TRUE!!! THANKS for the laugh!!! AND the laugh at myself!!!
Walter. You and I went to Park School together. I was so PROUD to see your cartoons and laughed OUT LOUD. I remember you getting in trouble with the teachers at Park for doodling in your note book instead of listening. That bad behavior got you far!
I live in LA as a writer/producer in film and tv. My parnter (common law husband) and I run a film production company. Polly Panitz got in touch with me last year and came to my 50th bday celebration. We hadn't seen eachother in 18 years.
Congrats on your fabulous cartoons, and best to you and your family.
Sally Kaplan
South Pasadena, CA
Thanks for those that have captions.
The Baby Boomers animation site was sent to us by our son! What a blast! My husband and I laughted out loud...I take Motrin everyday, and we both use the treadmill everyday...we haven't had the bypasses, tucks, and body replacements yet, although my left knee seems headed that way. Thanks for the fun...have a wonderful holiday season and 2008.
I absolutely love the Baby Boomer animation. May I link it on my website?
Personally, I think the video is an insult to baby boomers. Did you have nothing better to do, or are you just jealous of the boomers? I resent it. You have made us appear to be a bunch of feeble bodied as well as mined geriatrics. I am sure many agree with me, yet won't comment. That's a shame and so is the fact that you think it's really funny to make a generation of people who have gone through many historic events, look like idiots.
Apparently, the people that "love" it are not boomers. Probably in your age group.
Dear Mr. Handelsman,
You may not remember me but your gave my friend Ralph your George Bush overhead drawing today. Thank you for coming to Hofstra today and showing what it's really like to be you. It meant a lot to so many of us.
Great job with the presentation and work. Keep it up! We're rooting for you.
Walt - I was the school administrator at St. Martin's when you all lived down here in N'Awlins. At a different school now, but still here. Loved the animated sketch on baby boomers, and we continue to enjoy your 'toons in the Times-Picayune when they print them. Give my best to Jodie, Billy, and James.
Hi Walt
Remember me from Clarks Summit? My friend from Boston sent me your animation and I was surprised it was yours. Hope that you and yours are fine. I will check your web site.
Walt: Great song and cartoon! I can't believe that at least that one fellow boomer above is so crotchety and sensitive about our advances into bubbie- and zaydie-hood.
And...by the way, I still have that caricature you drew of me back in 1983 up in Section 34 (I was the chubby schoolteacher with the kazoo, lest you forget).
Mr. Handelsman, Love that Baby Boomer video. It cracked me up! I would love to put that on my MySpace page. I'd love for my friends on there to see this. It is hilarious. I will not post it unless given permission. Thank you and happy holidays!
Tracy T.
Your cartoons are right on the button and give us such pleasure.
They make you laugh and cry at the same time. What a mind you have! Thank you! Leslie Ann Powers
Walt:
Long time (old Park buddy). Shoot me an email. I may have to fly up to see you and Jody.
Walt, you are just another Bush bashing liberal. Stick your cartoons where the sun don't shine..
Walt,
Friend sent me the link to the boomer toons this morning. I'm not afraid to say I'm at the far end of the boomer era, but none-the-less still there. I checked a few of your toons today, and will return for the full exploration of your site after the holidays. Like the poster before me, anyone who's not happy with your expressions reminds me of the old school teachers I had in grammar school, crotchety old goats.
Keep 'em coming. Happy Holidays to you and yours
Mr. Handelsman,
I work for a senior housing company and would like to show your animated cartoon to our staff at an upcoming meeting. Would you be willing to release a file of this cartoon to me rather than me having to show it directly from the web?
Thank you,
Leanne Wise
I am 73 yrs & still enjoy your works & cartoons. WE LIVE IN OREGON & I TRIED BEING A CARTOON ARTIST, BUT PORTRAITS & LANDSCAPES CAME SO EASY FOR ME IN OILS, I DON'T PAINT NOW. MY SONS DID DRAWINGS WHEN GROWING UP & HAD GREAT IDEAS, ONE IS A FIREFIGHTER IN LAKE OSWEGO & THE OLDEST SON IS A PAINT CONTRACTOR, MAKES RACE CARS & SNOWMOBILE FIBERGLASS MOLDS & DIFFERENT STYLES OF HOOD & FENDERS. BOTH HAVE TALENT. WAYNE MAKES MAG. RACKS OUT OF SINGER 1800 SEWING MACHINES, FRAMES WITH RATTLE SNAKES ON INTERIOR EDGE OF BARN WOOD. LOTS OF SHELVES FOR ANTIQUES OUT OF ANTIQUES THAT COULD NOT BE SAVED & REFINISH ALL HIS OLD ANTIQUES THAT IS THRU/OUT THEIR HOME. QUITE A SHOW PLACE.
KEEP ON TRUCKING, YOU ARE ON THE RIGHT ROAD
These are the most trying times in all of human history. You
owe it to yourself to find the lighter side to these issues. I love,
more than anything, laughter. I think your comedic mind is
right up there with Robin Williams.
"
You used to babysit me and my sister Dene on Caveswood Lane. I remember your sister more than you because I wanted to be HER with her beautiful long 'Marsha-Brady' hair. When I heard of her death I was devastated.
I'm literary agent who has lived in NYC for 20 years. Why do I still, after all these years, find anyone who went to Park School funnier than anyone else?
Best,
Leigh Feldman
Walt,
I give you two thumb up for the Baby Boomer cartoon.
Obviously you didn't win a Pulitzer Prize THIS crap.
WHERE IS THE 2008 WEB CAMPAIGNS CARTOON? DID HILL'S PEOPLE REMOVE IT? WHAT ARE THEY AFRAID OF ?
LOVE YOUR WORK ! KEEP ON KEEPING ON!
Walt,
I'm ashamed to say I've just discovered your animations. I love them, and just can't seem to get enough!
I'm a big Barack Obama fan, and in the Barack/Hillary animation, you hit the nail right on the head! It's a great way to view any and all political agendas... seeing the humor in them!
Keep up the good work,
Weezie
Walt,
I'm ashamed to say that I've just discovered your animated cartoons, and I have to tell you that I just can't get enough of them!
I'm a big Barack Obama fan and in the Barack/Hillary animation you hit the nail squarely on the head! What a great way to approach any and all political agendas... by seeing the humor in them.
I look forward to more Barack (and related politicians) animations, as the political season progresses.
Great work,
Weezie
Walt,
I'm ashamed to say that I've just discovered your animated cartoons, and I just have to tell you that I can't get enough of them.
I'm a big Barack Obama fan and in the Barack/Hillary animation you hit the nail directly on the head. What a great way to approach any and all political agendas... by seeing the humor in them.
I look forward to more Obama animations (and other political figures), as the season progresses.
Great work,
Weezie