Family Circus

The Family Circus is a round, single panel comic strip that portrays the daily life of a suburban family created by Bil Keane

Fast Facts:

1. Creator: Bil Keane
2. Began: February 29, 1960
3. Publisher: King Features
4. Appears in more than 1,500 newspapers¹
5. Inked and colored by Bil Keane's son, Jeff Keane
6. Originally named The Family Circle
7. Wife of Bil Keane, Thelma Keane, died of Alzheimer's disease on May 26, 2008

Background

Bil Keane began drawing The Family Circus in 1960. The comic strip was originally to be called The Family Circle, but the magazine Family Circle objected so the name was changed.²

Keane draws his characters inside a circle, which is meant to emphasize the closeness of the cartoon family.¹ Keane's approach with The Family Circus is to relate to parents who have been in similar situations with their kids and know what its like.²

The Family Circus appears in 1,500 newspapers worldwide and has been the subject of three prime-time television specials. There is also a large collection of books and other merchandise such as calendars, t-shirts and beach towels that feature The Family Circus cartoon.²

Bil Keane Quote

"Almost all of my cartoons are based on things our children have said and done. Now that they're grown, we had nine grandchildren who I follow around for ideas. They think Granddad is following them around lovingly and I'm out to exploit them."—Bil Keane³

"'If The Family Circus has any social value,' Keane says, 'it shows parents that their children are normal. And if there is a philosophy behind the feature, it's this: A home filled with love and laughter is the happiest place in the world.'"—Bil Keane¹

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