10 Surprising Facts About Garfield You Probably Didn't Know

If you're anything like us, you probably grew up watching Garfield lazing around, devouring lasagna, and sharing unfiltered thoughts on life. But how much do you really know about the Garfield cartoon beyond the surface?

Today, we're deep-diving into the world of everyone's favorite cat to uncover ten little-known facts that will make you see Garfield in a whole new light. Let's get started!

1. Creation and inspiration:

Garfield was created by Jim Davis and made his debut on June 19, 1978. Davis, who grew up on a farm surrounded by cats, was fascinated by their unique personalities and independent nature. He wanted to develop a comic strip that captured these feline traits in a way that would resonate with a broad audience. While brainstorming ideas, he focused on two qualities that stood out—cats' aloof, self-centered behavior and their undeniable love for food.

Drawing inspiration from his own childhood experiences and observations, Davis crafted Garfield as a lazy, food-obsessed, and sarcastic cat who perfectly embodied the quirks of domestic felines. The character’s defining trait—his unrelenting love for lasagna—was a deliberate exaggeration of a cat’s food-driven instincts, adding an extra layer of humor and relatability. Unlike most comic strips at the time, which featured dog characters with eager, loyal personalities, Garfield provided a fresh and humorous contrast by portraying a pet that was unapologetically self-serving yet oddly endearing.

Davis also wanted to ensure the strip had universal appeal. Instead of making Garfield too wild or exaggerated, he designed him as a cat that anyone could recognize, regardless of whether they owned a pet or not. His sarcasm, laziness, and deep disdain for Mondays reflected common human experiences, making Garfield more than just a funny cat—he became a relatable personality. 

2. Record breaking comic:

In 2002, Garfield earned a place in the Guinness World Records as the world’s most widely syndicated comic strip, a testament to its immense popularity. At its peak, the strip was published in over 2,500 newspapers across the globe, reaching millions of readers daily. This achievement solidified Garfield’s status as a cultural icon, with his sarcastic wit and love of lasagna resonating across generations and languages. Jim Davis’ creation not only became a staple of comic pages but also expanded into television, merchandise, and even film.

3. Animated series:

The first animated TV special featuring Garfield, “Here Comes Garfield”, premiered in 1982, bringing Jim Davis' beloved comic strip character to life beyond the printed page. This marked the beginning of Garfield’s successful transition from newspapers to television, introducing audiences to his signature sarcasm in a new, dynamic format. The special was well-received and paved the way for several more animated specials throughout the 1980s. Its success eventually led to the long-running animated series “Garfield and Friends”, cementing Garfield’s place in pop culture.

4. Voice of Garfield:

Lorenzo Music was the original voice of Garfield in the animated specials and the beloved “Garfield and Friends” series, bringing Garfield to life with his signature laid-back, deadpan delivery. His smooth, almost sleepy tone perfectly captured Garfield’s sarcastic wit, dry humor, and unbothered attitude, making it almost impossible to imagine anyone else in the role. Music’s performance became so iconic that his voice is still associated with the character decades later. His portrayal set the standard for all future Garfield voice actors, proving that the right voice could elevate a character from a simple comic strip to an unforgettable pop culture icon.

5. Political Ambitions:

In 1984, Garfield humorously “ran” for President of the United States as an independent candidate, a playful publicity stunt that capitalized on his widespread popularity. The fictional campaign, promoted through comic strips and merchandise, positioned Garfield as the ultimate anti-politician—lazy, food-obsessed, and completely uninterested in actual leadership. His satirical slogans, such as “Don’t Change My Litter Box, Keep America the Same” and “A Chicken in Every Pot, and Lasagna in Every Pan,” poked fun at traditional political rhetoric. While obviously not a real contender, the campaign was a testament to Garfield’s cultural impact, proving that even a fictional cat could captivate the public during an election year.

6. Merchandising Empire:

Garfield’s image has been licensed for thousands of products, turning a lazy, lasagna-loving cat into a merchandising powerhouse. From plush toys and clothing to kitchenware, school supplies, and even car decals, Garfield’s face has appeared on just about everything imaginable. His sarcastic wit and relatable personality have made him a favorite for collectors and casual fans alike, driving demand for everything from coffee mugs emblazoned with his disdain for Mondays to cozy pajamas featuring his iconic smirk. This extensive merchandising has played a major role in solidifying Garfield’s presence in pop culture, ensuring his continued relevance across generations.

7. International Appeal:

Garfield’s comics and merchandise have gained immense popularity worldwide, with translations into dozens of languages, ensuring his sarcastic humor and love of food reach fans across cultures. No matter the language, Garfield’s witty remarks and relatable gripes about Mondays, overeating, and naps strike a universal chord. His humor transcends borders because themes like laziness, indulgence, and everyday frustrations are universally understood. From comic strips in international newspapers to plush toys and apparel sold across continents, Garfield has cemented himself as a truly global icon, appealing to audiences of all ages and backgrounds.

8. Charitable Impact:

Jim Davis, the creator of Garfield, founded the Professor Garfield Foundation as a way to give back and promote children's literacy through engaging educational resources. The foundation offers a variety of online games, activities, and interactive reading programs designed to help young learners develop strong literacy skills in a fun and accessible way. By incorporating beloved characters like Garfield, the initiative makes reading more appealing to children who might otherwise struggle with traditional methods. Through partnerships with educators and literacy organizations, the foundation continues to provide valuable tools that encourage a love of learning and reading in kids worldwide.

9. Spin-off Characters:

Characters like Odie the dog, Nermal the kitten and many more have become beloved figures in their own right, each playing a unique role in Garfield’s world and often serving as foils to his personality. Odie, with his boundless energy and cheerful, oblivious nature, is the perfect contrast to Garfield’s laziness and sarcasm, often enduring playful torment from the mischievous cat. Meanwhile, Nermal, the self-proclaimed “cutest kitten in the world,” drives Garfield crazy with his arrogance and relentless bragging, creating a rivalry filled with pranks and humorous schemes. These characters add depth and dynamic interactions to the comic strip, making Garfield’s world even more entertaining.

10. Movie Adaptations:

In the 2004 live-action/CGI film Garfield: The Movie, Bill Murray lent his voice to the iconic orange cat, bringing his signature dry wit and sarcastic delivery to the role. Interestingly, Murray later revealed that he accepted the part under the mistaken belief that the film’s writer, Joel Cohen, was actually Joel Coen of the acclaimed Coen Brothers, leading to an unexpected but memorable casting choice. The movie, while receiving mixed reviews, was a box office success, prompting a 2006 sequel, Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties, in which Garfield found himself mistaken for royalty while visiting England. These films further solidified Garfield’s status as a pop culture mainstay, introducing the lasagna-loving feline to a new generation of fans.