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Bill Watterson
Oct 26, 2026 3:34 PM

  

Bill Watterson1

  Bill Watterson Creator of the syndicated cartoon strip Calvin and Hobbes Bill Watterson working on a comic strip at his home in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, February 24, 1986. (more) Bill Watterson American cartoonist Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/biography/Bill-Watterson Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/biography/Bill-Watterson Also known as: William Boyd Watterson II Written by Will McDonald Will McDonald is a New York City-based writer and performer. Will McDonald Fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Last Updated: Nov 12, 2024 • Article History Table of Contents Quick Facts In full: William Boyd Watterson II (Show more) Born: July 5, 1958, Washington, D.C., U.S. (Show more) Ask the Chatbot a Question Ask the Chatbot a Question Bill Watterson (born July 5, 1958, Washington, D.C., U.S.) is an American cartoonist best known for creating the popular and award-winning comic strip Calvin and Hobbes (1985–95). Watterson notably refused to license the strip’s characters for merchandising or allow any film version of the strip to be made. He retired Calvin and Hobbes in 1995 despite its immense popularity and has since then mostly retreated from public life and further cartoon publishing work. Watterson was born in Washington, D.C., but when he was six years old his family moved to Chagrin Falls, Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland, where he spent ...(100 of 2100 words)

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