Footrot Flats cartoonist Murray Ball dies at age 78 after battle with Alzheimer’s.
- Footrot Flats creator Murray Ball died on Sunday at the age of 78
- Known internationally as the creator of the popular 80’s New Zealand comic strip , Ball is believed to have died at his Gisborne home
Ball became famous for the Footrot Flats comic strip starring Wal Footrot’s Border Collie sheepdog, called “Dog”, which drew on the foibles of surrounding characters, many of them farmers. It ran from 1976 to 1999, and birthed a stage musical, an animated feature film, and even an Auckland theme park.
According to stuff.co.nz Ball passed away at his Gisborne home on Sunday, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s.
Murray is survived by his wife, Pam, and the couple’s children.
