Alan J. Shalleck (1929 -2006)

I am so terribly saddened by the death of Alan J. Shalleck, who was found murdered outside of his Florida home this past Tuesday (full story here).

Back in the 1970s, Shalleck collaborated with Margaret Rey, co-creator of “Curious George,” to bring the mischievous monkey to television. In addition to 104 five-minute TV shorts, he and Rey co-wrote 28 additional Curious George books. Unfortunately, Shalleck achieved neither wealth nor fame for his contribution and in recent years was forced to work odd jobs. He resided in a trailer. “I got $500 per Curious George story, no royalties, no residuals,” Shalleck recounted in a 1997 interview.

As a kid, I loved Curious George. I still do. I’ve been looking forward to the debut of his movie, which opens today. Shalleck’s death this week is a cruel irony.

I don’t know what’s sadder in this case: the fact that Shalleck, who was 76, lived practically destitute on the fringes of society or the fact that he was robbed and murdered by two tricks with whom he connected on a gay hook-up website. When I first heard the details surrounding Shalleck’s death, my first thoughts were of how our society continues to marginalize the elderly, the poor, and the homosexual. Shalleck was all three and apparently led a pretty lonely and frustrated existence on the margins.

I could not, however, help but be reminded of Chester J. Lampwick, who was featured in episode 719 of The Simpsons back in March 1996. In that classic episode, Lampwick, who created “Itchy and Scratchy” but had his idea stolen by Roger Meyers Sr. back in 1919, is discovered living as a destitute bum on the streets. Bart and Lisa help him successfully sue Roger Meyers Jr., who is forced to declare bankruptcy and shut down the cartoon studio after Lampwick is awarded a whopping $800 million in damages and back royalties.

Shalleck wasn’t as fortunate. May he rest in peace.