Al Jaffee

Al Jaffee (born Abraham, March 13, 1921) is an American cartoonist and writer best known for his work in Mad magazine. Born to Jewish immigrants from Lithuania, he has been with the magazine since 1955 and is its longest-running contributor. He was inducted into the Will Eisner Comic Book Hall of Fame in 1992.

Early life and career
Jaffee was born on March 13th 1921 in Savannah Georgia as Abraham Jaffee to Lithuanian Jewish Immigrants Max and Bessie Jaffee who had recently arrived in America after fleeing pogroms that were occurring at the time against Jews living there.. His family moved frequently during his childhood due to financial struggles before settling permanently when Al was twelve years old in New York City’s Lower East Side neighborhood where young Al attended school until he dropped out aged fifteen due to truancy issues. During this time, Al became interested in drawing cartoons which he continued doing while selling newspapers on a street corner near Times Square throughout his teenage years Eventually these drawings caught the attention of several editors including Stan Lee who offered him part-time freelance illustration jobs through Marvel comics In 1941 at age twenty one . Later that same year however World War II began and so instead of pursuing freelance illustration opportunities further ,he decided enlisting with The United States Army Air Forces would be more beneficial both financially & professionally whereupon completing basic training he soon found himself assigned as a clerk typist stationed firstly Florida then later overseas within Britain close airfields used by allied bombers flying missions over occupied Europe . It wasn’t long before some of officers noticed young Ales artistic talent made use it creating propaganda posters leaflets & other materials needed boosting troop morale amongst those working around base thus effectively kick starting what would become lengthy successful professional comic book career upon return home 1945 following war end

Mad Magazine Contributions
After returning home, Al quickly resumed illustrating comic books again but eventually grew frustrated with formulaic nature industry leading him decide try something different when friend suggested submitting short gag pieces humor publication called “Humorama”. After being accepted work Humorama proved quite popular readers ended up appearing eight various titles published under their banner alone plus number others such Fawcett Publications’ Captain Video Spy Smasher etc., However despite success enjoyed working them all still felt somewhat creatively restricted desired break away formulas create own style content without publisher interference or censorship hence why welcomed opportunity collaborate William Gaines Harvey Kurtzman 1951 help form new satirical based periodical titled “MAD” whose initial premise provide alternative mainstream existing publications day . Initially hired write jokes gags contributing editor level also received co credit artwork produced fellow team members becoming integral creative force behind title growth popularity rising fame status led eventual promotion full staff artist position 1955 remaining active ever since