Cartoonist. Born in Queens Village, New York, he grew up in Bergenfield, New Jersey. He later attended the Pratt Institute in New York City to study art. He was employed in advertising for more than a decade, but was unsatisfied with the work. Inspired by his brother, John, a cartoonist, in 1964 he submitted his first comic strip, 'Hapless Harry,' under the byline George Gately. Some three years later, after it failed to find an audience, he tried a strip called 'Hippy,' but it survived only two years. By 1973, he introduced Heathcliff, named for a Bronte character, it was the first strip featuring a cat as the lead character. Picked up for syndication, the strip became very popular, particular among cat fanciers, and Gately often made appearances at cat shows. By 1980, Heathcliff became an animated television series. Over 50 collections of Heathcliff comics have been printed and the books have sold more than a million copies. Suffering from emphysema, it became increasingly difficult to meet the requirements of his work, taking on an assistant and utilizing his brother's aid. About 1998, however, he turned the strip over to his nephew, Peter Gallagher. His health continued to deteriorate over the next few years, and he succumbed to a heart attack at the age of 72.
Cartoonist. Born in Queens Village, New York, he grew up in Bergenfield, New Jersey. He later attended the Pratt Institute in New York City to study art. He was employed in advertising for more than a decade, but was unsatisfied with the work. Inspired by his brother, John, a cartoonist, in 1964 he submitted his first comic strip, 'Hapless Harry,' under the byline George Gately. Some three years later, after it failed to find an audience, he tried a strip called 'Hippy,' but it survived only two years. By 1973, he introduced Heathcliff, named for a Bronte character, it was the first strip featuring a cat as the lead character. Picked up for syndication, the strip became very popular, particular among cat fanciers, and Gately often made appearances at cat shows. By 1980, Heathcliff became an animated television series. Over 50 collections of Heathcliff comics have been printed and the books have sold more than a million copies. Suffering from emphysema, it became increasingly difficult to meet the requirements of his work, taking on an assistant and utilizing his brother's aid. About 1998, however, he turned the strip over to his nephew, Peter Gallagher. His health continued to deteriorate over the next few years, and he succumbed to a heart attack at the age of 72.
Bio by: Iola
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