Albert Uderzo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Albert Uderzo |
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Uderzo in 2005
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| Born | Alberto Aleandro Uderzo 25 April 1927 Fismes, France |
| Died | 24 March 2020 (aged 92) Neuilly-sur-Seine, France |
| Nationality | French |
| Area(s) | Writer, Artist |
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Notable works
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Astérix Tanguy et Laverdure Oumpah-pah |
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Notable collaborations
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René Goscinny |
| Awards | full list |
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Albert Uderzo (born Alberto Aleandro Uderzo; April 25, 1927 – March 24, 2020) was a famous French comic book artist and writer. He is most well-known for creating the Astérix comic series. He worked on Astérix with his friend and writer, René Goscinny. Uderzo also drew other comics like Oumpah-pah. He stopped working in September 2011.
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Early Life of Albert Uderzo
Uderzo was born in Fismes, France, on April 25, 1927. He was the fourth child of Italian parents, Silvio and Iria Uderzo. His parents moved from Italy to France. They often moved because his father was a carpenter.
Uderzo was born with six fingers on each hand. These extra fingers were removed by surgery when he was very young. In 1929, his family moved to Clichy-sous-Bois, near Paris. He became a French citizen in 1934.
Uderzo showed artistic talent early on. He loved drawing and sketching. His older brother, Bruno, also drew and inspired him. At first, Albert wanted to be a clown or an aircraft engineer. But he soon found his passion for art.
He loved American comics and cartoons. He especially liked early Walt Disney characters like Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck. When he was about 11 or 12, his parents found out he was color blind. This meant he had trouble telling some colors apart. However, he mostly worked in black-and-white, so it did not stop his art career.
In September 1939, Germany invaded Poland. France declared war on Germany. Albert was 12 years old. He finished his basic schooling at 13.
Working with René Goscinny
Uderzo met René Goscinny in 1951. They quickly became good friends. In 1952, they decided to work together. Their first characters were Oumpah-pah, Jehan Pistolet, and Luc Junior.
In 1958, they started publishing Oumpah-pah in the Tintin magazine. This magazine was very popular in France and Belgium. In 1959, Goscinny and Uderzo helped start a new magazine called Pilote. This magazine was for older children.
The first issue of Pilote introduced Astérix to the world. It was an instant success! Uderzo also worked with Jean-Michel Charlier on another series called Michel Tanguy.
The Astérix stories were first published in Pilote. In 1961, the first Astérix story, Astérix the Gaul, was published as a book. Uderzo and Goscinny published new Astérix books regularly. They released about two books a year.
Goscinny sadly passed away suddenly in 1977. After that, Uderzo continued to write and draw the Astérix books by himself. He published them through his own company, "Albert René". He published new books at a slower pace, about one every three to five years.
Uderzo's Family
Uderzo married Ada Milani in 1953. They had one daughter, Sylvie Uderzo, born in 1956.
Later, Uderzo decided to sell his share of the publishing company, Éditions Albert René, to Hachette Livre. This company publishes the Astérix books. His daughter Sylvie had different ideas about the future of Astérix. She had been involved in managing his business.
When Uderzo retired in 2011, new creators took over Astérix. Jean-Yves Ferri became the writer, and Didier Conrad became the artist.
Uderzo's brother, Marcel, was also a cartoonist. Marcel Uderzo helped his brother Albert with the drawings and colors for about twelve Astérix albums.
Death
Albert Uderzo passed away in his sleep on March 24, 2020. He was at his home in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France. He died from a heart attack. His family said he had been feeling very tired for several weeks before his death.
Awards
- 1985: Awarded the Knight of the Legion of Honour
- 1999: Grand Prix de la ville d'Angoulême, a special prize for the new millennium
- 2004: Max & Moritz Prize Special Prize for his amazing life's work
- 2005: Added to the Eisner Award Hall of Fame in the U.S.
- 2006: Awarded the Knight of the Order of the Netherlands Lion
- 2013: Awarded the Officer of the Legion of Honour
Uderzo is one of the most translated French authors. He is the third most translated French comic book author. Only René Goscinny and Hergé have had more of their works translated.
See also
In Spanish: Albert Uderzo para niños
