Cartoonist Michael Leunig dead at 79

Melbourne cartoonist Michael Leunig, whose influential career spanned over five decades, has died aged 79, with his loved ones announcing his “pen has run dry, its ink no longer flowing”.

Michael Leunig has died aged 79.

Cartoonist Michael Leunig has died, aged 79.

Leunig passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Thursday.

A post on his social media page said: “The pen has run dry, its ink no longer flowing — yet Mr. Curly and his ducks will remain etched in our hearts, cherished and eternal.

Leunig’s ducks will remain etched in our hearts, cherished and eternal, the tribute said.

“Michael Leunig passed away peacefully today, in the early hours of December 19, 2024. During his final days, he was surrounded by his children, loved ones, and sunflowers — accompanied as ever, by his dear old friends, Johann Sebastian Bach and Ludwig van Beethoven,” the Leunig Studio Instagram page said.

Leunig’s influential career spanned over five decades, with his work featured in The Age for nearly 55 years.

Leunig was dismissed from The Age in September this year after some of his cartoons were deemed too politically sensitive.

Herald Sun cartoonist Mark Knight paid tribute to Leunig’s long legacy.

“It is a great loss, he was referred to as a national treasure and he was,” Knight said.

“As a kid I would buy his books – the famous Penguin Leunig was my great introduction to cartoons.

“I owe him a debt of gratitude.

“He had controversies with his cartoons, but I think he is bigger and more profound than cancel culture,” he said.