8 Lesser-Known Facts About Ziggy

Since his debut in newspapers in 1971, cartoonist Tom Wilson’s Ziggy, a pantsless and often luckless character, has been bringing smiles to readers. Despite his simple design, Ziggy has become an iconic figure, appearing on everything from greeting cards to pencil erasers. Before the inevitable CGI remake arrives, dive into some intriguing details about Ziggy’s past, including why fans were shocked when he spoke and the touching story behind his unique name.

1. HE STARTED AS AN ELEVATOR OPERATOR.

Ziggy’s journey to the comics was anything but straightforward. Created by Tom Wilson, an executive at American Greetings, in the 1960s (who also contributed to the creation of the Care Bears and Strawberry Shortcake), Ziggy initially appeared as an elevator operator who mused about everyday life. When Wilson first attempted to pitch the character as a comic strip, it was rejected. However, after featuring Ziggy in a 1969 humor book titled When You’re Not Around, the character caught the attention of a Universal Press Syndicate executive’s wife. By 1971, Ziggy was featured in 15 newspapers, eventually expanding to over 500.

2. THE NAME “ZIGGY” WAS CAREFULLY SELECTED.

Ziggy is frequently portrayed as a character overwhelmed by life’s challenges, from malfunctioning ATMs to failed relationships. (He finds more comfort in the company of animals.) Wilson chose the name “Ziggy” because the letter “Z” is at the end of the alphabet, symbolizing his character’s tendency to come last in life. (An alternate story suggests Wilson heard the name from a colleague’s barber and decided to use it.) In one comic, Ziggy waits for rescue after a flood, but responders are saving people in alphabetical order. In 1974, Wilson revealed that Ziggy’s full name is “Zigfried.”

3. WILSON PREPARED HIS SON TO TAKE OVER THE STRIP.

When Wilson passed away in 2011, his successor was already in place. His son, Tom Wilson Jr., had been illustrating the strip since 1987. Years earlier, the elder Wilson would sit with his son, sketch Ziggy in a perilous situation—like a safe falling toward him—and then challenge his son to draw a solution. Tom Jr. later described Ziggy as his “successful little brother.”

4. HE WAS DESIGNED TO BE ENDEARING.

Despite his perpetual misfortunes, Ziggy often evokes empathy and fondness from his audience. Wilson believed his character’s large, round nose and plump figure inspired warmth, advising his son to maintain a soft, rounded style in his drawings. “Let’s keep Ziggy round and lovable,” Wilson emphasized. Ziggy also engages readers directly by breaking the fourth wall, a technique Wilson used to foster a sense of connection and camaraderie.

5. HE WAS PAINTED ON THE SIDE OF A WATER TOWER.

For decades, residents of Strongsville, Ohio have marveled at an unusual sight: Ziggy adorning the side of a local water tower. Wilson, a Cleveland native, learned that a local sports team had painted the character there in 1975 and offered to improve the artwork. Firefighters hoisted him on a crane, allowing him to paint Ziggy alongside the school’s mustang mascot. When the Cleveland Water Department planned to cover the mural during a repaint, the community rallied with a petition to save it.

6. HE INSPIRED HIS OWN BOARD GAME.

Ziggy’s merchandise flooded stores, ranging from shirts and calendars to mugs. However, the 1977 board game A Day with Ziggy stands out as a fan favorite. Players take on the role of the beleaguered character, navigating spaces to avoid making Ziggy’s day even worse.

7. HE APPEARED WITH GENE SHALIT.

Ziggy debuted in animated form in 1981 during a Today show segment featuring film critic Gene Shalit. Surprisingly, fans were displeased, claiming Ziggy’s voice didn’t match their expectations.

8. HE EARNED AN EMMY AWARD.

In 1982, Ziggy transitioned to animation with the ABC primetime special Ziggy’s Gift. Written by Wilson, the special offered a glimpse into Ziggy’s life, including his modest apartment and his holiday job as Santa. At Wilson’s request, Ziggy remained silent to avoid repeating the Shalit controversy. The special won an Emmy in 1983, though Ziggy still didn’t wear pants.