Musician, illustrator and New York Times cartoonist Gary Leib has died at the age of 65.
As a member of the ambient country group SUSS, Leib's label, Northern Spy Records, confirmed the artist passed on March 19, writing in a tweet: "We're deeply sorrowful to share this news. Our hearts go out to SUSS and Gary's friends and family."
As of press time, his cause of death remains unclear.
In addition to his work with SUSS, who released their third studio album Promise in 2020, Leib also played keyboards in the Grammy-nominated new wave band Rubber Rodeo, who released two albums in the '80s. The group got their Grammy nod for their long-form "Scenic Views" music video.
Leib also founded the animation studio Twinkle, and contributed animation to films such as Happiness, American Splendor, and American Ultra. While Leib's illustration work was best catalogued by NYT, The New York Observer, Fantagraphics and more, Leib also co-authored the surrealist comic book Idiotland with Doug Allen in 1993.
A graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design, Leib taught computer animation at New York City's School of Visual Arts.
Leib is survived by his wife Judy and daughter Leila.
As a member of the ambient country group SUSS, Leib's label, Northern Spy Records, confirmed the artist passed on March 19, writing in a tweet: "We're deeply sorrowful to share this news. Our hearts go out to SUSS and Gary's friends and family."
As of press time, his cause of death remains unclear.
In addition to his work with SUSS, who released their third studio album Promise in 2020, Leib also played keyboards in the Grammy-nominated new wave band Rubber Rodeo, who released two albums in the '80s. The group got their Grammy nod for their long-form "Scenic Views" music video.
Leib also founded the animation studio Twinkle, and contributed animation to films such as Happiness, American Splendor, and American Ultra. While Leib's illustration work was best catalogued by NYT, The New York Observer, Fantagraphics and more, Leib also co-authored the surrealist comic book Idiotland with Doug Allen in 1993.
A graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design, Leib taught computer animation at New York City's School of Visual Arts.
Leib is survived by his wife Judy and daughter Leila.
