 HAPPY BIRTHDAY to our father, Alex Toth.
We are grateful for all that you left behind--the teachings that prompt the conversations that live on today. In the last year, both "Bravo" and your original "Doodles" have been loaned to the prestigious Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum at Ohio State University, where they will continue to be shown, studied, and made available for projects moving forward; We have donated all your memorabilia and correspondence for the same; The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art purchased your work for their founding collection; A panel of your creative peers & dear friends had the opportunity to speak to the next generation of illustrators, animators and designers at a school you attended; Creative projects continue to be conceived of and put forth on your behalf for fans and future artists, who still learn from your lines, your choices, your beliefs, your vision, your words, your placement... and most of all, your artistic integrity. Next year, on your birthday, we hope to write about the next phase of sharing your talent with the world. You are still here. Dana (Carrie, Eric & Damon)  Last month, my brothers and I traveled to our sister's home in Wyoming. It was finally time for us to go through the last 24 bins of our father's. These were the remaining things left from his home and eventually his storage unit. Dad saved everything. Every single piece of paper--every correspondence--every meaningful article, every piece of art or inspiration. Prior to the trip, my friend Paul Fricke and I found the topic of Dad's "Doodles"...and discussed how he was able to continue to come up with new faces--new ideas--constantly. One of the things I wondered during that conversation was if his doodles were somehow a compilation of things his photographic memory had viewed over time--either in person or in print. An amalgam or collection of features--personalities--and traits. And then--one day I stumbled upon this clipping. I immediately realized it felt as if I were looking at two doodles I'd used on our AlexanderToth.com site as abstract line drawings of my brothers. They somehow captured the way I saw each of them. At the time, I wondered my father's reference--if there was story behind their inspiration. It seems there may have been. The above is rather "sepia" in color from my father's years of smoking and the age of the clipping. It was a newspaper photo of Errol Flynn, and his son Sean Flynn. Errol Flynn...my father's favorite of all time. So I had a somewhat probable answer to my speculation or question. Maybe you agree? Or not? It's interesting to ponder. Of course, I wish he were here to ask. The "Doodles" I am referencing can be seen at www.alexandertoth.com/the-toth-family.html Dana  Today my father would have been 97. I love this photograph. Growing up, this is exactly how I remember him. He was ALWAYS at his drawing board. He was creating or (even "doodling") every single day of his life up until he took his last breath. Paul Fricke posted a beautiful tribute to him on instagram and shared that he was inspired by something
Jeff Rose posted the previous year. It simply was an invitation to honor my father's legacy by viewing something he created, whether it's reading a comic, studying a page or character design, sharing his work...or watching an episode of one of our podcasts. Thank you always to all of you who continue to honor him. Happy Birthday, Dad. Love, Dana, Carrie, Eric and Damon  Today, May 27th, is the anniversary of my father's passing. It has been nineteen years.
This image above is a postcard that my talented friend (and fan of my father's), Mark Stanleigh and I created for the 150th Anniversary of the Art Students League of NY. It is our understanding (through a brief interview my father did while alive) that he attended a class/classes there. While we have posted this card before--honestly, it says it all. I wish he were here to see what fans still say about his work all these years later. And, that there is a new generation of illustrators, cartoonists and comic book artists that continue to honor him. We are so grateful for all of you--and that you help us honor his legacy by "continuing the conversation". Dana A DONATION & A CELEBRATION for THE 150th ANNIVERSARY of THE ART STUDENTS LEAGUE OF NEW YORK.3/30/2025  When my father passed away, I had an overriding desire to support future students of cartooning, animation, illustration & design. It truly was the main impetus of getting involved with his legacy in any way. Looking back, most of us would agree that fundamentally he was a teacher as well as a creative genius. In each of his letters, and in each conversation--was an in depth sharing and wealth of information. In those final years, he and I spoke about how he could continue to teach. He had more to say, and I'd hoped the inspiration and venue would find him. When he received fan mail while in ICU, it brought tears to his eyes. As he read it, his words were "they finally get it; they understand." Because, somewhere in each correspondence was a reflection of the words he preached and how those words had made a difference in their work: "keep it simple; draw it with the fewest lines, and tell the story in the fewest words". The family proudly embraces the responsibility to be part of what fans have ensured lived on all these years--(a conversation that continues about Dad's work and his teachings.) So when we were approached and invited to participate in The Art Students League of New York's 150th Anniversary Celebration, we more than embraced the opportunity. We are not sure if our father took one class there, or a few--as we can only find evidence of his attendance in an interview whereby he briefly mentioned it. But the fact that there is a new generation of students studying this medium would have great meaning for him. One of our panel members, Mark Stanleigh, came up with the idea to create t-shirts for this event. And so he generously did. The piece of art for the design was borrowed from Jeff Rose, another panel member, and creator of the original TothFans website (that my father endorsed). My father had written the words to him. We also created and donated a postcard hand out and "doodle pad" for the event exhibitors on April 5th, when they hold their own mini Comic-Con. Here's to a successful celebration & event, and more opportunities to support schools & students in the future! Dana   Dear Fans:
We are looking ahead to all good things in 2025! My family and I appreciate the continued interest and passionate conversation about our father and his work. Thank you. We launched our line of "official" T's, and we will be expanding along the way--so please reach out with ideas! We have finally found the ultimate home for Bravo and our father's work & collections. We will finalize that relationship in early 2025. More to come when we are able to officially announce those details. Wishing you all a healthy, prosperous, creative 2025! In gratitude, The Toth Family www.AlexanderToth.com  Well, I finally gave myself permission to buy
a new MAC desktop, which frankly cost the same as the one I bought 15 years ago. I just love that. It was time. I'm not the fastest at the technical learning curve, but working on some additional designs and learning how to interface with a new platform for printing was the best impetus for me (although in my frustration, I behaved like my father on more than one occasion.) Please visit AlexanderToth.com to see the new designs now available in our store. Our printer ships Worldwide, so hoping to reach fans everywhere--especially for Holiday! I want to thank my dear friends Mark S, Jeff R, and Paul F for their generous input. Please always feel free to reach out with concepts. We appreciate you and your appreciation of our father's work. Dana & The Family www.alexandertoth.com
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AuthorJeff Rose was the original TothFans.com creator and host. Archives
August 2026
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