‘Footrot Flats’ creator passes away after long battle with Alzheimer’s

We reported on the passing of Sister Sledge singer Joni Sledge, and now another great artist has passed on.

Murray Ball created Footrot Flats, a “funny because it’s true” cartoon that celebrated rural New Zealand life.  It has been reported that after an eight-year battle with Alzheimer’s that Mr Ball passed away in his home aged 78.

Tributes have come from around the world to celebrate the joy that Mr Ball gave us with Footrot Flats.

Sad to hear that Murray Ball has died. What a huge part of my childhood. Horse was always my favourite pic.twitter.com/xdQQiCstIR

— Cal Wilson (@calbo) March 12, 2017

Saddened to learn of the death of Footrot Flats creator Murray Ball, a thoughtful NZer who took our unique sense of humour to the world.

— Bill English (@RtHonBEnglish) March 12, 2017

RIP Murray Ball. Cartoonist, rugby fan and iconic New Zealander. #footrotflats. pic.twitter.com/EaGWiJVNRz

— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) March 12, 2017

From 1975 to 1994 Footrot Flats ran in the newspapers in NZ, Austalia, the UK, and Scandinavia.  In 1986, the cartoon was immortalised in a feature-length animated film Footrot Flats: The Dog’s Tale.  Mr Ball directed the film which spawned two hit singles from the soundtrack You Oughta Be In Love and Slive of Heaven.   There was also a stage musical made of the characters that is still running on a stage somewhere in NZ. 

He was the subject of great admiration from The Peanuts creator Charles Schulz who wrote the introduction to the only US published collection of Footrot Flats comics.  Schulz wrote, “Being a fanatic about comic strips, I am always either very impressed by good drawing, or saddened by poor drawing. I love the way Murray draws these animals. I love the relationship among all of the characters, and am especially fond of the absolutely original approach to the humor.”

He is survived by his wife and their three children.

Were you a fan of his comics?  What was your favourite one?