Maurice Sendak, Famed WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE Creator, Dies at 83

Maurice Sendak, famous for his timeless illustrated classic, "Where the Wild Things Are," passed away May 8 from complications caused by an earlier stroke.

By jerichomccune - May 08, 2012 09:05 AM EST

Filed Under: Other

Maurice Sendak was most famous for his book "Where the Wild Things Are." Although the illustrated classic that fueled the imaginations of millions is considered a children's story, Sendak wanted to be known as something more. in a 2002 interview he stated “I wanted to be acknowledged as an artist, not just some kiddie-book artist.”

Sendak's career may be highlighted by children's books, but the self-taught artist was much more. A former window-dresser, Sendak's illustrations were just one of his many talents. He also designed costumes and sets for the theater, including collaborations with a Tony-award winning playwright and a Pacific Northwest Ballet production of The Nutcracker.

Young fans will most remember him from Spike Jonze's big-screen adaptation of his seminal work. The movie Where the Wild Things Are was viewed skeptically by critics when it was formerly announced, but it's arrival in theaters was well-received and reopened the imaginations of fans worldwide.

Although technically not a comic book, the illustrated masterpieces Sendak created taught generations of kids the value of combining art and words. His pictures inspired many to go on to careers that fill the pages of thousands of illustrated books, from children's work to graphic novels. They also inspired many more to do something simpler - just dream.

Maurice Sendak will be missed by the millions he helped inspire.

Follow @JerichoMccune

Check out my fansite for more articles worth reading!

LAZARETH Interview: Ashley Judd Breaks Down Her Role In Nail-Biting New Thriller (Exclusive)

Recommended For You:

Johnny Depp Takes Aim At "Dreck" Hollywood Movies And Compares Studio Bosses To "Glorified Accountants"

DISCLAIMER: ComicBookMovie.com is protected under the DMCA (Digital Millenium Copyright Act) and... [MORE]

ComicBookMovie.com, and/or the user who contributed this post, may earn commissions or revenue through clicks or purchases made through any third-party links contained within the content above.

Do you have what it takes to write for us?

Want to contribute?

13 Comments

jerichomccune - 5/8/2012, 9:59 AM

DrStrangeFan - 5/8/2012, 10:00 AM

You will be missed

JatevinM - 5/8/2012, 10:05 AM

My favorite childrens book

Bucht - 5/8/2012, 10:17 AM

Unfortunate that he lived to see that abomination of a movie from a few years back.

MarkCassidy - 5/8/2012, 10:30 AM

That was a great movie imo.

Anyway, loved the book, R.I.P

JatevinM - 5/8/2012, 10:57 AM

That was not an abomination of a movie it was really good.

THEDARKNIGHT100 - 5/8/2012, 11:26 AM

i loved the film and book

SotNatt - 5/8/2012, 1:13 PM

I'm with Number One. I refuse to accept this. This man is so human, so funny, and, along with Shel Silverstein, his words were my childhood.

I'll just leave that here.

mgeoff88 - 5/8/2012, 3:00 PM

RIP, Mr. Sendak.

I loved the book as kid. I think it was actually my favorite book if I'm remembering right.

I didn't watch the movie though. Something about the trailer didn't live up to the expectations of how I imagined it in my mind.

Thegoddamnbatman52 - 5/8/2012, 4:38 PM

Rip, this man was a legged and has inspired me more than anyone else possibly could, he made me realize throu his works and lectures how precious childhood is and I know when I have kids of my own I want to give them the best childhood possible

FlixMentallo21 - 5/8/2012, 5:32 PM

Oh man, I am now going to hang on to my copy of WTWTA for quite some time, share it with my own kids...
I once went to an art exhibit based on Where the Wild Things Are during my first time in San Francisco.

Maurice Sendak, Famed WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE Creator, Dies at 83

Maurice Sendak, famous for his timeless illustrated classic, "Where the Wild Things Are," passed away May 8 from complications caused by an earlier stroke.

LAZARETH Interview: Ashley Judd Breaks Down Her Role In Nail-Biting New Thriller (Exclusive)

Johnny Depp Takes Aim At "Dreck" Hollywood Movies And Compares Studio Bosses To "Glorified Accountants"

LAZARETH Interview: Ashley Judd Breaks Down Her Role In Nail-Biting New Thriller (Exclusive)

Johnny Depp Takes Aim At "Dreck" Hollywood Movies And Compares Studio Bosses To "Glorified Accountants"

ComicBookMovie.com's Easter Gift Guide 2024: Essentials From Hot Toys, JAKKS Pacific!, LEGO, And More!

LAZARETH Interview: Ashley Judd Breaks Down Her Role In Nail-Biting New Thriller (Exclusive)

Johnny Depp Takes Aim At "Dreck" Hollywood Movies And Compares Studio Bosses To "Glorified Accountants"

ComicBookMovie.com's Easter Gift Guide 2024: Essentials From Hot Toys, JAKKS Pacific!, LEGO, And More!

BOB MARLEY: ONE LOVE Star Lashana Lynch On Bonding With Kingsley Ben-Adir Over Their Marvel Roles (Exclusive)

RICKY STANICKY Director Peter Farrelly On His Fun New Comedy, John Cena, DUMB AND DUMBER 3, & More (Exclusive)

SKY HIGH Director Shares His Sequel Ideas And Reveals Movie's Success Led To Meeting With Marvel Studios

Popular Headlines

THUNDERBOLTS* Set Photo Reveals First Glimpse At Sebastian Stan's New Look Bucky

VENOM: THE LAST DANCE Crew Gift Seemingly Reveals The Threequel's Sinister Villain

THE FANTASTIC FOUR Star Ralph Ineson Breaks Silence On Playing Galactus...After SUING Disney Last December!

MCU Rumor Roundup: CAPTAIN AMERICA TV Series, Liam Neeson's Secret MCU Role, And Plans For Donald Glover

THE FANTASTIC FOUR Finds Villain As GAME OF THRONES & HARRY POTTER Alum Ralph Ineson Joins Cast As Galactus

SHAZAM! FURY OF THE GODS STAR Grace Caroline Currey To Lead Remake Of Wes Craven's THE BREED

Warner Bros. Backtracks After Getting LORD OF THE RINGS: HUNT FOR GOLLUM Fan Film Taken Off YouTube

X-MEN: Marvel Studios Rumored To Have Narrowed Writer Search Down To These Two Finalists

SHAZAM! FURY OF THE GODS STAR Grace Caroline Currey To Lead Remake Of Wes Craven's THE BREED

Warner Bros. Backtracks After Getting LORD OF THE RINGS: HUNT FOR GOLLUM Fan Film Taken Off YouTube

X-MEN: Marvel Studios Rumored To Have Narrowed Writer Search Down To These Two Finalists

VENOM: THE LAST DANCE Crew Gift Seemingly Reveals The Threequel's Sinister Villain

LAZARETH Interview: Ashley Judd Breaks Down Her Role In Nail-Biting New Thriller (Exclusive)

THE CROW Gets New Poster And Featurette Ahead Of 30th Anniversary Re-Release

Hot Headlines

THE FANTASTIC FOUR Finds Villain As GAME OF THRONES & HARRY POTTER Alum Ralph Ineson Joins Cast As Galactus

THE FANTASTIC FOUR: John Malkovich Joins MCU Reboot In Secret Role

Disney And Warner Bros. Discovery To Join Forces For New Streaming Bundle

RUMOR: Ryan Coogler May Pass On BLACK PANTHER 3 And X-MEN For AVENGERS 5; ARMOR WARS Could Be Scrapped

THE LORD OF THE RINGS: Andy Serkis Will Direct And Star As Gollum In New 2026 Live-Action Movie

Sci-Fi & Fantasy

GODZILLA X KONG Sequel Enlists SHANG-CHI Writer Dave Callaham To Pen Script

Warner Bros. Criticized For Taking Down 15 Year Old LORD OF THE RINGS Fan Film Following HUNT FOR GOLLUM News

OBI-WAN KENOBI TV Series Reportedly Earned STAR WARS Creator George Lucas' Approval

THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE HUNT FOR GOLLUM Movie Sets 2026 Release; Andy Serkis Will Direct AND Star!

STAR TREK 4 Getting Another Writer Is News To Chris Pine: "I Guess They Decided To Pivot"

THE WITCHER: First Look At Geralt Of Rivia Revealed Via BTS Photo

Cartoons & Animated Features

X-MEN '97 Showrunner Teases Original 5-Season Plan And Addresses [SPOILER]'s Cameo In Episode 5

X-MEN '97: Beau DeMayo Shares Cryptic Hint About Next Week's Season Finale - SPOILERS

BATMAN: CAPED CRUSADER First Look Reveals Period Setting & VERY Different Takes On The Dark Knight's Villains

X-MEN '97 Showrunner Breaks Down Biggest Moments In "Tolerance Is Extinction - Part 2" - SPOILERS

New MY ADVENTURES WITH SUPERMAN Season 2 Clip Reveals Amanda Waller's Evil Task Force X Plans

Disney+ Confirms Release Of Two More Marvel Animation TV Shows In 2024

Gaming

Bethesda Previews FALLOUT 76's Next Major Update, SKYLINE VALLEY

Netflix Launches New Immersive NEXTWORLD Universe On Roblox

GTA 6 Announcement Could Be Coming Soon As Fans Uncover Updates To Rockstar's Website

MARVEL RIVALS Shares Details For Upcoming Closed Alpha Test: Start Date, System Specs, And More

MULTIVERSUS Reveals The Joker As Newest Playable Character; Voiced By Mark Hamill

DRAGON AGE: DREADWOLF Reportedly One Of EA's Two "Unannounced" Games Launching This Year

Anime & Manga

HAIKYU!! THE DUMPSTER BATTLE Tickets Now Available For North American Theatrical Release

DEMON SLAYER: KIMETSU NO YAIBA HASHIRA TRAINING ARC: Crunchyroll Streaming Date And Time For North America

DRAGON BALL SUPER DIVERS Digital Card Game Announced But It Comes With Bad News For DRAGON BALL SUPER HEROES

GUNDAM BREAKER 4 Release Date Announced; Pre-Orders Now Available

Netflix's AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER Producer Teases Toph's Debut In Season 2

NATSUME'S BOOK OF FRIENDS Season 5 English Dub Now Streaming On Crunchyroll

Horror

IN A VIOLENT NATURE "Buckle Up" Trailer Features Terrifying New Footage

FALL's Grace Caroline Currey To Star In Remake Of Wes Craven's THE BREED

THE CROW Returns To Theaters To Mark 30th Anniversary - Check Out A New Poster

LONGLEGS First Reactions Hail Osgood Perkins' Horror Movie As "Unsettling, Disturbing" And "Best Film Of 2024"

A QUIET PLACE: DAY ONE Gets A Bone-Chilling & Action-Packed New Trailer & Poster

THE SHROUDS: First Poster And New Stills For David Cronenberg's Latest Movie Released

Action Movies & TV

MONKEY MAN Exclusive Interview With Production Designer Pawas Sawatchaiyamet On Working With Dev Patel

MONKEY MAN Exclusive Interview With Mask Designer Eddie Yang; Dev Patel Film Now Available On Digital HD

Tom Cruise's MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE 8 Adds SEVERANCE Actor Tramell Tillman

A24's CIVIL WAR Was The #1 Movie In America For The Second Week In A Row

JAMES BOND: Henry Cavill Isn't Closing The Door On Playing 007; "Maybe I'm Too Old Now. Maybe I'm Not..."

Alex Garland's CIVIL WAR Is The #1 Movie In North America- Opens To $25.7M

Pro Wrestling & MMA News

WWE's Plan For Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson At WRESTLEMANIA 41 Has Reportedly Been Revealed - SPOILERS

Adam "Edge" Copeland Reveals How Close He Came To Signing With AEW Before 2020 WWE Return

Tony Khan On Whether He'll Wrestle A Match In AEW And Backlash To His Recent Comments About WWE