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Gary Larson

Gary Larson is an American cartoonist best known for creating the single-panel comic series *The Far Side*.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Gary Larson is an American cartoonist best known for creating the single-panel comic series *The Far Side*. The strip was syndicated internationally for 15 years and became known for its surreal, absurdist humour and frequent use of animals and scientists in unusual situations. Larson has also published books and additional online comics after the original strip ended.

Early life

Gary Larson was born on August 14, 1950, in Tacoma, Washington. Sources describe him as an American cartoonist with an early interest in drawing and natural science.

The Far Side

Larson’s best-known work is *The Far Side*, a single-panel comic that ran from 1980 to 1995. The strip was syndicated internationally in more than 1,900 newspapers and gained a large readership. It became especially known for its bizarre scenarios, anthropomorphic animals, and darkly comic premise.

Later work and publication history

Larson ended the regular newspaper run of *The Far Side* on January 1, 1995. He later returned with new comics published online starting in 2020. His collected cartoon books have sold more than 45 million copies.

Style and influence

Larson is widely associated with absurdist and intellectual humour, especially in cartoons involving animals, scientists, and odd human behaviour. His work has been described as influential in newspaper cartooning and popular humour.

Key facts

  • Larson created *The Far Side*, a single-panel comic strip that ran from 1980 to 1995.
  • The strip was syndicated internationally in more than 1,900 newspapers.
  • His collected cartoon books have sold more than 45 million copies.
  • Larson’s work is known for surreal, absurd, and often science-themed humour.
  • After ending the original strip, he later published additional comics online beginning in 2020.
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Canadian context

*The Far Side* was syndicated internationally and read in Canada as part of North American newspaper comics culture, making Larson a familiar figure to Canadian readers interested in newspaper humour and comic art.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Gary Larson?
Gary Larson is an American cartoonist best known for creating *The Far Side*, a long-running single-panel comic strip.
What is *The Far Side*?
*The Far Side* is Larson’s syndicated comic strip, known for its surreal and absurd humour and one-panel format.
When was Gary Larson born?
He was born on August 14, 1950, in Tacoma, Washington.
When did *The Far Side* end?
The original newspaper run ended on January 1, 1995.
Did Gary Larson publish new work after *The Far Side* ended?
Yes. Sources note that he began publishing additional comics online in 2020.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_Larson
    Supports: Birth date and place, authorship of *The Far Side*, syndication, publication span, and later online comics
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Gary-Larson
    Supports: Biography, birth details, and identification of *The Far Side* as his best-known work
  3. The Far Side — https://www.thefarside.com/about/34/gary-larsons-bio
    Supports: Biographical details including birth place and later residence
  4. Lambiek Comiclopedia — https://www.lambiek.net/artists/l/larson_gary.htm
    Supports: Description of style, influence, and cultural impact of *The Far Side*
  5. Encyclopedia.com — https://www.encyclopedia.com/arts/culture-magazines/larson-gary
    Supports: Syndication scale, book sales, and overview of Larson’s career