Pierre (Peyo) Culliford was a Belgian artist, best known for his comic strip The Smurfs.
Pierre was born on 25 June 1928 in Brussels, Belgium. His father was English and his mother, Belgian.
Pierre took on the "Peyo" early in his career, based off the way an English cousin of his would mispronounce Pierrot.
The Smurfs first appeared on another of Peyo's works, Johan and Peewit. In 1959, they got their own series. Merchandizing of the Smurfs began later that same year. "Three years from now, no one will talk about them anymore," Culliford said early on, in what proved a poor prophecy.
Peyo died of a heart attack in his home, on Christmas Eve, 24 December 1992. An announcer on Belgian radio said, ""There is a village where Christmas will never be the same again. The Smurfs will be mourning their father tonight."
Have you taken a DNA test? If so, login to add it. If not, see our friends at Ancestry DNA.
C > Culliford > Pierre André Gabriel Culliford
Categories: Famous Artists of the 20th Century | Famous Authors of the 20th Century | This Day In History June 25 | This Day In History December 24 | Cimetière de Saint-Gilles, Uccle, Bruxelles | Bruxelles, Brabant | Belgium, Notables | Notables