(Left to right) Jack Enyart , John Lustig, Shelagh Lustig, Kay Enyart during a meal in L.A. last year.
I recently learned that my pal and sometimes co-conspirator in silliness Jack Enyart died. He passed away from pancreatic cancer on Oct. 13.
A writer, artist and occasional actor-performer, Jack had a long career in comics (Disney, Warner-DC, Marvel); cartooning (Penthouse, Playgirl among others) and animation (DuckTales, Fraggle Rock and many others.)
I’d known Jack for a dozen or more years and for the last several I’d gotten to know him better because we had been working—on and off—on a pet project that we were hoping to turn into an animated series, It’s Always Bucky. As an offshoot of that project, red-headed Bucky had numerous appearances in Last Kiss comics.
Jack and I came close to getting an animated deal a couple of times, but after awhile the project became secondary to me. What was more important was the pleasure of working with Jack and getting to know him better.
Jack was—for lack of a better term—a character. Charming, quick-witted, always upbeat and very funny. I will miss him and his stories!
If you’re interested in knowing more, there’s a nice remembrance of Jack on Mark Evanier’s site. Plus here a link to a great video interview with Jack.
Transcript:
SCENE: Bucky smiles. In the background we see his dog—and a lot of broccoli.
BUCKY: I’m thankful for the people who love me…Mom, dad and my dog! I know my dog loves me…’cause he always eats my broccoli!
1942 Art: Lou Fine Re-Creation: Diego Jourdan Pereira
In Loving Memory of Jack Enyart,
Bucky’s Alter Ego & Co-creator
DJP.lk74A
BUCKY: I’m thankful for the people who love me...Mom, dad and my dog! I know my dog loves me...’cause he always eats my broccoli!
1942 Art: Lou Fine Re-Creation: Diego Jourdan Pereira
In Loving Memory of Jack Enyart,
Bucky’s Alter Ego & Co-creator
DJP.lk74A
Nice post, John. it’s tough losing friends, but the memories are ours to keep forever.
Thanks and amen to that, Ed. In Jack’s case, fortunately those memories include lots of wonderful comics and projects he brought to life.
Wonderful write up for a long time friend. It’s tough getting to the age where we lose friends more frequently.
Thanks. You’re right about getting to that age—which apparently I’m at—where friends start passing away. In the last year—particularly in the last couple of months—there have been a lot.
Old friends, like wives, are special because they share our memories as we walk the one-way path. And like wine they grow finer with age.To be blessed with good friends is great, but to have fine ones is marvelous. Be happy, you will see him again one day; hopefully a long time from now… (BTW, I see you look very much like me – you handsome devil you…)
Thanks, Craig. I agree on all points—especially on longtime friends and how handsome you are since you look like me!
John, I echo Craig’s thoughts. First, my condolences on your friend’s passing. Second, our hairlines are just about equal! Take care, my online friend…. BTW, your wife is good-looking, too; you two have a lot of history together.
Thanks for the condolences, Thorby. As for hairlines, well the good thing is it doesn’t take long to get a haircut! And thanks for the compliment for my wife. You’re right lots of history. We met in 1983 and got married in 1984. To combat the hex of that Orwellian date, we got married on lucky St. Patrick’s Day.
Hello John, I’m sorry to hear about your friend Jack. It’s never easy. A friend and colleague of mine was recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and, having it strike so close to home, as it were, and trying to help my friend through the pain and fear that he’s going through, I can really sympathize with both you and him and what you’re going through and what he went through.