Frank Kelly Freas Tribute

 

Frank Kelly Freas

1923 - 2005

 

Frank Kelly Freas, the son of two photographers, was born in Hornell, N.Y., on Aug. 27, 1922, and was raised in Canada.

 

F. Kelly Freas will always be remembered as a man who marched to the beat of several different drummers. During the late Fifties, Kelly creating fantastic artwork for many of the most popular and memorable Science Fiction books and magazines.

 

 

Like many artists before him, Kelly was a bit of a recluse, and would routinely sit for hours quietly sketching rough illustrations many which became his finished covers. And although Kelly was a geuinely warm and friendly individual, he didn't always enjoy people peering over his shoulder when he was working.

 

 

Being a self described hermit, Kelly would barricade himself for lengthy periods of time in his cluttered studio. Fortified with endless amounts of strong black coffee, Italian style, he produced staggering amounts of incredible artwork. His work appeared in magazines like Analog Science Fiction and Fact, and he created stunning artwork for writers like Isaac Asimov, Robert A. Heinlein and Arthur C. Clarke.

 

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The Mad Years

 

 

Alfred E. Neuman was originally created by Norman Mingo for Mad Magazine in the 1950's.

Soon afterward, Kelly began creating the famous illustrations of Alfred E. for Mad during the late 1950's.

Mad's popularity made both Kelly & Alfred E. Neuman international icons.

He told The Virginian-Pilot in 2001 that his illustrations gave "Alfie" his personality.

 

His portraits of many popular celebrities were memorable and entertaining.

Upon seeing his famous likeness done in the inimitatable Freas style.Yul Brynner remarked, "Damn, he makes me look good!"

 

 

The New Encyclopedia of Science Fiction called him "the most popular illustrator in the history of science fiction."

 

 

Kelly Freas won 11 Hugo awards, presented by the World Science Fiction Society and considered among the highest honors for a science-fiction illustrator. A modest man, Kelly would shyly smile and politely tell people he was happy to be doing something he enjoyed.