Article content
See more Toronto Sun on Google — save as a Preferred Source
The Toronto Sun family is in mourning after legendary political cartoonist Andy Donato died Tuesday. He was 89.
Article content
The newly retired Donato drew his last cartoon for the Sun as a farewell to readers on Sept. 6 after 55 incredible years at the newspaper, and 65 years in the newspaper industry.
Article content
We are sad to announce the passing of legendary Toronto Sun cartoonist Andy Donato. Our sincere condolences to his family and friends. Andy recently retired from the Toronto Sun following 55 years of cartooning. This was his last cartoon. pic.twitter.com/iIlBYEwarQ
— Toronto Sun (@TheTorontoSun) September 16, 2026
He served as a part-time political cartoonist at the Toronto Telegram beginning in 1961 until it folded at the end of October 1971. The Sun was born Nov. 1, 1971, and he went on to become the paper’s preeminent political cartoonist.
“I was just getting into the political stuff at the Tely,” Donato told the Sun just before hanging up his pen and paper. “Up until then, I probably couldn’t tell you who the prime minister of Canada was.”
Editorial Cartoonist Andy Donato of the Toronto Sun is inducted into the Italian Walk of Fame on Wednesday, May 28, 2014. (Veronica Henri/Toronto Sun) Photo by Veronica Henri /Toronto SunWorkload increased after joining Sun
Donato went from drawing two cartoons a week while alternating with fellow cartoonist Yardley Jones, to three at the Sun. When the Sun launched a Sunday edition and after Jones left in 1973, his workload increased from three to five cartoons in a week.
“It was hard enough coming up with one idea, let alone three, four, five,” he laughed.
He became Art Director at the paper until 1997, when he took an early retirement and relinquished the job.
Donato went on to draw so many political cartoons that he eventually released his work in book form, including Gucci Blues and Son Of A Meech.
Article content
Known for signature bird
He was also known for his signature bird within the square panel.
“The bird started back in the ’80s,” he said. “By 1984, it had become reasonably popular by then. I just happened to draw it in a tree I was doing as a cartoon. And I kind of liked it, so I kept drawing it.”
Donato’s other love was painting, and he has shown his work at Harbour Gallery in Mississauga.
Toronto-based marketer and entrepreneur Tony Chapman said his friend will be remembered as a world-renowned editorial cartoonist whom he also had the honour of interviewing for his Chatter That Matters podcast nearly three years ago.
“Marion and I had dinner with Andy and his wife Dianne last month, and between a Club Size Martini and a glass of Italian Red Wine, we regaled ourselves with his stories, and the mischievous smile and sparkling eyes that went with them,” Chapman shared to his LinkedIn account.
More recently, Chapman said he and his partner were with Donato and his wife when they slow danced to a Frank Sinatra impersonator at the Balmy Beach Club last Saturday.
“Andy Donato is not just an artist; he’s a force of immense character, and his character is woven into the very fabric of who he is, from his distinctive appearance, his unbridled shock of hair, to how he characterizes pivotal moments in time,” Chapman said.
— with files from Denette Wilford
Share this article in your social network