🎨 John Shakespeare (1961–2025): Farewell to the Gentle Genius of Australian Cartooning

John Shakespeare, one of Australia’s most cherished cartoonists, passed away on the evening of June 9, 2025, after a long battle with cancer. He was 63.

For nearly four decades, Shakespeare’s illustrations brought warmth, wit, and sharp insight to the pages of The Sydney Morning Herald. His death marks the end of an era in Australian journalism, where his pen quietly shaped public conversation and newsroom culture.

✏️ A Career Told in Lines and Laughter

Shakespeare began his career in a rather unexpected way—fixing photocopiers at Brisbane’s Courier Mail. But his creative talent soon earned him a spot in the art department. In 1985, he joined Fairfax Media. When The Sydney Sunclosed, he was transferred to The Sydney Morning Herald and assigned to draw caricatures rather than political cartoons.

It turned out to be the perfect fit.

For 39 years, Shakespeare created thousands of cartoons: political portraits, budget illustrations, and farewell caricatures that became newsroom legends. His work was never just funny—it was thoughtful, deeply human, and often quietly profound.

🧑‍🎨 “Shakes”: The Quiet Heart of the Newsroom

Colleagues affectionately called him “Shakes”—a gentle, kind, and thoughtful presence in an otherwise chaotic newsroom. As SMH journalist Jordan Baker wrote:

“Many readers knew him for the whimsy and sharpness of his illustrations. His colleagues knew him as a quiet, warm presence who blended technical mastery with gentle wit.”

Shakespeare had a way of observing the world that was both kind and critical, funny and wise—often all in the same frame.

✍️ The Tortured Joy of the Creative Process

In an interview with the Queensland Law Society’s Proctor newsletter, he once described the emotional journey behind each cartoon:

“The process of creating a funny cartoon can be quite excruciating. I actually don’t enjoy that part. Once I have the idea, I can relax a bit and draw it, which I enjoy.”

His perfectionism drove him to constantly question his ideas and refine his work—up to the very end of his career.

👨‍👩‍👦 Family, Legacy & What He Leaves Behind

Shakespeare is survived by his partner Anna-Lisa Backlund and their son Lukas. After voluntarily leaving The Sydney Morning Herald in 2023, he remained a beloved figure in the Australian media landscape.

His legacy is not just in the ink he laid on paper, but in the countless moments of reflection, laughter, and quiet awe he inspired in readers.

💡 Why John Shakespeare Still Matters

• Human-centred satire: He offered sharp commentary without cruelty—his humour revealed, rather than ridiculed.
• Cultural impact: His illustrations chronicle four decades of Australian political and social life.
• Creative inspiration: He showed that soft-spoken artists could leave powerful marks.