Sam Norkin

Samuel Norkin (January 10, 1917 – July 30, 2011)[1] was a Brooklyn, New York-born cartoonist who specialized in theater caricatures for more than seven decades.

His drawings of theater, opera, ballet and film celebrities appeared in Variety, Backstage, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, The Boston Globe and many other publications.

During the 1940s, newspaper editors wanted to devote more space to new theatrical productions, but photo opportunities usually did not happen until a show opened.

Norkin took advantage of the situation and gained access to rehearsals, performers, costume sketches, fittings and scenic designs, providing editors with illustrations prior to an opening.

When he began doing theatrical caricature, he supplied his own captions, which eventually prompted him to write articles and reviews.