Syracuse Sun

Bob Mankoff, a 1966 graduate of Syracuse University, has become a prominent cartoonist and cartoon editor for major publications such as The New Yorker and Esquire. His journey to success involved commitment, practice, occasional failures, and some luck.

Mankoff grew up in Queens, New York, where his artistic talents were recognized early on. He attended the Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art in Manhattan. Despite living in a bustling borough with millions of residents, Mankoff described his upbringing as having a small-town feel.

When it was time for college, Mankoff chose Syracuse University over Queens College to explore new opportunities. "College is almost like going to the army in a way," he said. "You’re just thrown in with a whole new set of people that you don’t know and that’s a shock and an opportunity."

At Syracuse University, Mankoff's humor quickly gained him notoriety across campus. He recounted painting socks on his feet to circumvent cafeteria rules requiring footwear: "What was driven home to me was the power of humor as a subversive force that lets you have an identity within an institution."

Mankoff discovered his comedic potential early during his university days when he wrote a humorous essay for English 101. The positive response from his teacher affirmed his path toward comedy.

Cartooning became Mankoff's passion at Syracuse University. After graduation in the late 1960s, he attempted to sell some of his cartoons but initially faced rejection: “Nobody bought any,” he recalled. However, persistence paid off as he eventually published nearly 1,000 cartoons over two decades at The New Yorker.

One of Mankoff’s most notable works is the cartoon titled “How About Never—Is Never Good for You?” which became The New Yorker’s best-selling cartoon ever. He attributed its popularity to resonating with people's sentiments about meetings: “People have to very carefully manage who they talk to and how much they talk to them.”

For more information on Bob Mankoff’s story, visit the College of Arts and Sciences website.

---