Top 20 Quotes & Sayings by Jeff MacNelly

Explore popular quotes and sayings by an American cartoonist Jeff MacNelly.

Last updated on April 18, 2025.

Jeffrey Kenneth "Jeff" MacNelly was an American editorial cartoonist and the creator of the comic strip Shoe. After Shoe had been established in papers, MacNelly created the single-panel strip Pluggers. The Wall Street Journal wrote: "MacNelly's superb draftsmanship as well as his heightened sense of the ridiculous is in the vanguard of a new generation of American cartoonists."

American - Cartoonist | September 17, 1947 - June 8, 2000

Source: Wikipedia

That really has been my message over the years: 'Hey, we're all in this together, so let's laugh about it a little, please.' It adds perspective to an argument if you know where you're coming from.

Jeff MacNelly

My father was very methodical about life. He'd always ask me, 'Now, what's your system? What's your schedule like?' I have no big system, no rigid schedule. When he would ask, 'How do you do this? Give it to me step by step,' I'd try to convince him that there were no step-by-steps.

Jeff MacNelly

Editorial pages all say, 'Well, the other guy has a point, too. It remains to be seen how this will come out. We certainly hope it comes out fine; blah, blah.' Cartoonists don't go that way. Our job is to stick out our tongues, to show a big raspberry to whatever pompous jerk happens to be mouthing off.

Jeff MacNelly

If you're a balanced cartoonist, you're not a cartoonist. You definitely have to have a bias.

Jeff MacNelly

The best thing for my creative process is a deadline.

Jeff MacNelly

I'm kind of a nerd. A square. And I'm terrible at telling jokes. I always forget the punch line.

Jeff MacNelly

Everybody's funny-looking.

Jeff MacNelly

I don't need a lot of attention. I'd much rather have the work be famous than the face be famous.

Jeff MacNelly

I thought that through the strip, I could vent my spleen and be funny at the same time. But when it comes to humor, there's no substitute for reality and politicians.

Jeff MacNelly

The best cartoons have no words at all - just the image pops out.

Jeff MacNelly

I look at people, and I like to laugh at them.

Jeff MacNelly

Because of my grey hair and glasses, people think I'm Phil Donahue.

Jeff MacNelly

The problem when you're a cartoonist and you go into the voting booth is that you have your choice of two guys - one would be best for your country, and one would be best for your business.

Jeff MacNelly

I'm looking forward to working for the 'Tribune' because any company that can invest in the Chicago Cubs has a view of the future we cannot begin to comprehend.

Jeff MacNelly

Political cartoonists get hung up on daily deadlines and the front page. The worst thing you can do is open up the newspaper and ask, 'What's funny about this?'

Jeff MacNelly

I really do have a self-censorship problem, which isn't the way you should be if you're a cartoonist.

Jeff MacNelly

The Opera reminds me of my tax audit. It was in a language I didn’t understand. And it ended in tragedy.

Jeff MacNelly

A career is a job that has gone on too long.

Jeff MacNelly

Above average intelligence has always run in my family. Ambition, however, has always walked with a limp.

Jeff MacNelly

Writing is simple. First you have to make sure you have plenty of paper... sharp pencils... typewriter ribbon. Then put your belly up to the desk... roll a sheet of paper into the typewriter... and stare at it until beads of blood appear on your forehead.

Jeff MacNelly

Top 20 Quotes & Sayings by Jeff MacNelly

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