RIP: Paul Coker Jr.

Paul Coker Jr. died on July 23, 2022 after a short illness his family has confirmed.  Mr. Coker was 93.

If you don’t know Paul Coker’s name, my guess is you would recognize his art.  Mr. Coker’s art regularly appeared in MAD magazine beginning in 1961 and continuing for decades.  He was known for his recurring cartoon Horrifying Cliches as well as film and television parodies which included Star Trek, Jurassic Park, Twister, and Frasier.  Mr. Coker also illustrated eight MAD paperbacks.

Even if you weren’t a reader of MAD magazine, you probably would remember Mr. Coker’s art from his work as a production designer on Rankin/Bass Specials which included: Frosty the Snowman; Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town; Here Comes Peter Cottontail; ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas; The Year Without a Santa Claus; Frosty’s Winter Wonderland and Rudolph and Frosty’s Christmas in July to name just a few.

I loved Paul Coker’s work in MAD magazine.  I’m also old enough to remember watching Frosty the Snowman when it premiered.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Paul Coker Jr.’s family, friends and fans.