7 Things You Might Not Know About The Popular Cartoon Cat Garfield

Garfield is a popular comic strip by cartoonist Jim Davis that was started over 40 years ago. The character Garfield was so popular it turned into a TV show, movies, video games, books, toys, etc.

We all know that Mondays are the worst because of Garfield, right? Even if you are a Garfield fanatic, there are a few things you may not know about this lazy, fat, and adorable cat.

1. The comic strip was originally about Jon, Garfield’s owner

Davis said the original comic strip was about Jon. In his test strips, he had it focused on Jon, but he has this crazy cat who was always pranking him. Another cartoonist said that Davis should focus the comic strip on the cat. Good thing he listened!

2. Garfield was named after Davis’s grandpa

Davis’s grandfather was named James A. Garfield Davis and he was named after President James A. Garfield.

3. Garfield lives in Davis’s hometown of Muncie, Indiana

Davis doesn’t mention that they live there much because he wants readers to feel like Garfield lives next door. However, they did have a Garfield Musical that first premiered in Muncie.

4. Garfield holds a significant Guinness World Record

Garfield is the world’s most widely syndicated comic strip. It is syndicated in over 2500 newspapers and journals.

5. Three countries in the world don’t always call him Garfield

Even though Garfield is translated into many different languages, most of them keep the name Garfield. However, in Sweden, Garfield is known as Gustav. Norway and Finland also use a different name for Garfield.

6. Famous celebrities own the original Garfield strips

Steven Spielberg and Stephen King have asked Davis personally for comic strips.

7. The popular Garfield plush toy with suction cups was actually a mistake

The toy was supposed to have velcro to go on curtains like Garfield really does. It came back as a mistake with suction cups instead. However, they decided to go with it and it became one of the most popular Garfield products.

Do you love Garfield? What is your favorite Garfield comic or show? If you enjoyed this article, please SHARE it with a Garfield-loving friend!