Alex Gard facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alex Gard
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|---|---|
| Native name |
Алексей Михайлович Кремков
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| Birth name | Alexei Mikhailovich Kremkov |
| Born | June 17, 1898 Kazan, Russian Empire |
| Died | June 1, 1948 (aged 49) New York City, US |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance |  Russian Empire United States |
| Service/ |
 Imperial Russian Navy United States Navy |
| Wars | World War I World War II |
Alex Gard was a famous Russian American cartoonist. He was born Alexei Mikhailovich Kremkov on June 17, 1898. He drew for many newspapers and magazines. He is most famous for his funny drawings, called caricatures, of celebrities. These drawings were displayed at Sardi's restaurant in New York City.
Contents
About Alex Gard
Alex Gard was born Alexei Mikhailovich Kremkov in Kazan, a city in the Russian Empire (which is now Russia). He went to a special naval school in Saint Petersburg.
During World War I, Alex served in the Russian Navy. He was on a warship called a destroyer.
After a big change in Russia called the Bolshevik Revolution, Alex left his home country. He traveled a long way, through China, Japan, Egypt, and finally to France. In France, his name was changed to Alexis Michel Kremkoff. He drew cartoons for magazines in Nice and Paris.
Moving to New York
In 1924, Alex moved to New York City. There, he started drawing for famous magazines like The New Yorker. He also drew for the Sunday drama section of The New York Herald Tribune. Besides drawing, he also painted backgrounds for theater plays.
Sardi's Restaurant Caricatures
In 1926, Alex Gard got a special job. He was hired to draw caricatures of Broadway stars and other famous people for Sardi's Restaurant in New York City. The owner, Vincent Sardi, made a deal with Alex. Alex would draw caricatures, and in return, he would get one free meal at the restaurant every day.
Alex became a U.S. citizen in 1940. During World War II, he served in the United States Navy.
Alex Gard continued to draw caricatures for Sardi's until he passed away. He created more than 700 drawings! Today, these amazing drawings are kept safe at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts.
His Passing
On June 1, 1948, Alex Gard collapsed on a street in New York City. He passed away while being taken to the hospital.
A special service was held for him at a Russian Orthodox Church. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery, a famous military cemetery.
His Art Collection
Alex Gard's collection includes about 700 drawings. Many of these are his famous caricatures of cultural figures. These include actors and musicians like Paul Ash, Edith Atwater, Pearl Bailey, Eddie Cantor, Katharine Cornell, Ted Healy, Katharine Hepburn, Leslie Howard, Josephine Hull, Bert Lahr, and Ethel Merman. He also drew ballet dancers such as Irina Baronova, Richard Boleslavsky, Leon Danielian, David Lichine and Tatiana Riabouchinska. His collection is now kept at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts.
Books He Published
Alex Gard also published several books with his drawings:
- Broadway Portraits (1929)
- Ballet Laughs (1941)
- Sailors in Boots (1943)
- Getting Salty (1944)
- Sick Bay (1945)
- More Ballet Laughs (1946)
- Stars Off Gard (1947)
See Also
- List of caricatures at Sardi's restaurant
