Pat Oliphant, Pulitzer-winning cartoonist, dies at 90

artJul 14, 202626688

Pat Oliphant, the Australian-born Pulitzer Prize winning editorial cartoonist, died on July 13, 2026; he was 90 (born July 24, 1935). Oliphant won numerous awards and in 1990 was described as “the most influential political cartoonist now working.” At the height of his career his cartoons were syndicated in as many as 500 newspapers, and he lived in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Ann Telnaes recalled his exceptional draftsmanship and recounted meeting him and his wife Susan Conway, who died earlier in 2026 and had managed his career. Colleagues and publications remembered Oliphant for fearless political satire and for sculpting in bronze as well as drawing, while obituary coverage in outlets including The New York Times noted his long influence on the profession.

Bill Amend

@billamend.bsky.social

Just heard that Pat Oliphant died. I didn’t know him well but his cartoon artistry and ballsyness was wonderful. RIP

2585h ago

Bill Amend122

A pic of Pat and the amazing Richard Thompson I took in 2009

Jon With Tattoos3

I’ll always remember this piece of his. Absolutely brilliant.

GET OUT OF MY WAY!3

His documentary just dropped last year. He was brutal to power, no matter who held the reins. And he was a craftsman in every sense. I was always a fan.

GET OUT OF MY WAY!2

His penguin was my spirit animal.

Dan Mishkin2

As far as I can tell, this was his last cartoon, at least the last that appeared on GoComics. It's from the start of the first Trump administration, and he didn't hold back. RIP

paulhosking.bsky.social1

He was one of those artists that I didn't follow per se. But I saw and enjoyed a lot of his work. And whenever I did, I went to look for the name and there it was... all part of that unique style. Dude dented the universe. And I am glad for it.

Quoting this

based acid ॐ3

Holy crap. He was the GOAT of late 20th century political cartoonists. Liked him so much I went to a museum exhibit of his stuff.

The Cathy Wilcox

@cathywilcox.bsky.social

More sad news. Australian-born cartooning legend Pat Oliphant, who made it to the top of the cartooning game in the US, has died. There’s a recent film about him that our Australian Cartoonists Association will be showing at our conference in October. www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GFl...

1736h ago

The New York Times

@nytimes.com

Pat Oliphant, the dean of political cartoonists, who drew and sometimes eviscerated a rogues’ gallery of presidents, pedophile priests, warmongers and other editorial-page villains for American newspaper and online readers for half a century, died on Monday. He was 90.

1462h ago

gianttigerkitty.bsky.social2

Ah, one of the best. RIP. 😭

Crab Claw1

Political cartoonists have always been my heroes.

Atticus Thraxx (Was/Is)1

My parent’s generation…cause to me it was like reading a prescription. Not fun or informative.

Quoting this

Alex Merz 🇺🇸🇨🇦🇺🇦5

One of the true old-school newspaper greats.

Tom Heintjes

@hogansalley.bsky.social

The great Pat Oliphant has departed this mortal coil. He was truly one of the greats—a paradigm shifter if ever there was one. Hogan’s Alley #25 will have a long appreciation of this singular genius.

505h ago

jdclrc.bsky.social

@jdclrc.bsky.social

Pat Oliphant, Cartoonist Who Skewered the Powerful, Dies at 90 www.nytimes.com/2026/07/13/a... One of the greats!

153h ago

Rightardia

@rightardia.bsky.social

Par Oliphant was, indeed, a giant of political cartoons. He created many excellent cartoons at the Denver Post.

91h ago

Pasatiempo Magazine

@pasatiempomagazine.bsky.social

We are saddened to hear of the passing of legendary #cartoonist & Santa Fe resident Pat Oliphant. His wry wit & ability to capture the absurdness of politics & political figures helped define the role of the #newspaper #politicalcartoonist. Read more about him in our profile from November 2025.

99h ago

Mediagazer

@mediagazer.com

Pulitzer-winning political cartoonist Pat Oliphant, 90, has died in Santa Fe, NM; at the height of his career, he was syndicated in as many as 500 newspapers (Robert D. McFadden/New York Times) Main Link | Mediagazer Permalink

52h ago

Ashland Forest Dweller

@vaforestdweller.bsky.social

Rest in Peace Pat Oliphant. You will always be a God among political cartoonists.

42h ago

Jenn

@jennburrill.bsky.social

Political cartoons keep me sane through their whimsical critiques of power & corruption Pat Oliphant's Nixon era drawings with the devil 😘 No idea he was living here in Santa Fe. What a missed opportunity with brilliance www.santafenewmexican.com/news/local_n...

67h ago

Lisa Morrison ❌👑

@lisamorrison.bsky.social

RIP Pat “No holds barred” Oliphant - a fearless political commentator!

12h ago

Charlie Largent

@charlielargent.bsky.social

Farewell to a Great One - RIP Pat Oliphant - www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou...

42h ago

JLRoberson

@jlroberson.bsky.social

RIP Pat Oliphant, who also sculpted in bronze. In the same style as his cartoons. "We have the right to decide who the real arseholes are." - Oliphant

35h ago

papaesoco.bsky.social

@papaesoco.bsky.social

open.substack.com/pub/anntelna... People will throw around the label of legend in the editorial cartooning profession but Pat Oliphant was truly one. Not only did his editorial cartoons and caricatures slice right through deserving politicians and public figures,

22h ago

dunkingdad.bsky.social

@dunkingdad.bsky.social

very sad about Pat Oliphant. growing up in suburban Melbourne in the 80s, his music taught me that it was ok to be weird

3h ago

3 sources

nytimes.comPat Oliphant, Cartoonist Who Skewered the Powerful, Dies at 90 nyti.msPat Oliphant, Cartoonist Who Skewered the Powerful, Dies at 90 open.substack.comLegendary editorial cartoonist Pat Oliphant

Pat Oliphant, Pulitzer-winning cartoonist, dies at 90art

Pat Oliphant, Pulitzer-winning cartoonist, dies at 90

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