Lynn Johnston

Lynn Johnston (born May 28, 1947) is a Canadian cartoonist, best known for creating the long-running comic strip For Better or For Worse. This article covers her life, creative journey, major works, influence, and memorable statements.

Introduction

Lynn Johnston (née Lynn Beverley Ridgway) is a distinguished Canadian cartoonist and author, most famous for her comic strip For Better or For Worse, which ran from 1979 to 2008 in original form and continues in reruns.

Her work stands out for its emotional realism, aging characters, depiction of family life, and willingness to address social issues. Over decades, Johnston has earned numerous awards and become a pioneer in the field of cartooning.

Though your prompt described her as American, Lynn Johnston is Canadian by birth and career.

Early Life & Background

• Lynn Johnston was born May 28, 1947 in Collingwood, Ontario, Canada.

• Her parents were Mervyn Ridgway, a jeweller, and Ursula Ridgway, who worked as a calligrapher and bookkeeper.

• Though born in Ontario, she grew up in British Columbia and attended Vancouver School of Art (now Emily Carr University) beginning in 1964.

• Early on, she became interested in animation, and briefly worked in the ink and paint department of a Vancouver animation studio.

Career Beginnings & Transition to Comics

• After art school, Johnston’s first professional work included medical illustration at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, where she drew anatomical and hospital scenes for educational and publishing purposes.

• In 1972, while expecting her first child, she began drawing cartoons to decorate her obstetrician’s office ceiling. These drawings became her first published book, David, We’re Pregnant! (1973).

• That book’s success led to follow-ups: Hi Mom! Hi Dad! (1975) and Do They Ever Grow Up?

• In 1978, Johnston and her family moved and she submitted a comic strip, The Johnstons, based on her own family. Universal Press Syndicate accepted it, gave her a 20-year contract, and the strip launched in newspapers in 1979 as For Better or For Worse.

For Better or For Worse — The Signature Work

• For Better or For Worse is a “slice-of-life” family comic strip that depicts the day-to-day experiences of the Patterson family: Elly, John, and their children Michael, Elizabeth, April, and others.

• A distinctive feature is that the characters aged in real time. As years passed, the children grew, matured, and life events unfolded.

• The strip’s original run continued until August 31, 2008, after which the creator reworked older strips and presented a blend of reruns and refreshed strips.

• For Better or For Worse achieved wide syndication: at its height, it appeared in over 2,000 newspapers across Canada, the U.S., and other countries.

• The strip did not shy away from social themes. For example, in 1993, Johnston introduced a gay character, Lawrence Poirier, becoming one of the first mainstream comic strips to address homosexuality in a family-oriented context. This storyline sparked debate and controversy, but also drew praise for realism and sensitivity.

• Johnston’s art evolved over time: backgrounds became more consistent, settings became more realistic, and layouts became more refined—especially as the strip was adapted to animated specials, which required stable visual continuity.

Personal Life & Challenges

• Johnston’s first marriage was to Doug Franks (a television cameraman) in 1969; that marriage ended later. Her second marriage was to Rod Johnston, a dentist and pilot, in 1977.

• She has two children: Aaron (from her first marriage) and Katherine (Kate) (from her marriage to Rod).

• Throughout her life, Johnston has spoken openly about personal issues: childhood abuse by her mother, spousal issues, struggles in motherhood, and the emotional toll of portraying private life in public.

• In 2007, Johnston announced her separation from Rod Johnston, and restructured the format of her strip to reduce workload.

• She lives (or has lived) in North Vancouver, British Columbia, though at times she resided in Ontario (e.g. Corbeil, Ontario).

Awards, Honors & Recognition

• In 1985, Lynn Johnston became the first woman and first Canadian to win the Reuben Award (Outstanding Cartoonist of the Year) from the National Cartoonists Society.

• In 1991, For Better or For Worse won the NCS Best Newspaper Comic Strip Award.

• She was inducted into the International Museum of Cartoon Art Hall of Fame in 1997—the first woman so honored.

• She was made a Member of the Order of Canada in 1992.

• She has received honorary degrees from multiple universities and holds a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame.

• She was a Pulitzer Prize finalist in 1994 for her storyline about Lawrence’s coming out.

Influence & Legacy

• Johnston’s work expanded the boundaries of what a daily comic strip could do—telling extended stories over years, evolving characters, and reflecting real family dynamics.

• Her willingness to reflect social issues—such as disability, mental health, relationships, and sexual identity—helped make the medium more human and socially relevant.

• Younger cartoonists, especially women, view her as a trailblazer: her success helped break barriers in a male-dominated industry.

• The characters of Patterson became cultural touchstones—readers grew up with them, empathized with their struggles, and sometimes saw themselves mirrored in their arcs.

Selected Quotes

Here are a few quotes and reflections attributed to Lynn Johnston (from interviews and compilations):

• “Most cartoonists start the way I did: doodling on anything as soon as they are able to hold a pen.”

• On balancing personal life and comic work: “For Better or For Worse let me put both of these talents [drawing and humor] to good use.”

• Reflecting on realism in her work: she often drew on episodes in her own life—for example, the family’s experiences, challenges, joys—and used these to inform the strip in a way that feels genuine.

Lessons from Lynn Johnston’s Journey

1. Root art in authenticity. Johnston’s best stories came from real life—her own emotions, relationships, and challenges.

2. Courage to evolve. She allowed her characters to age and stories to deepen over time, rather than staying static.

3. Face controversy thoughtfully. When introducing sensitive topics (e.g. a gay character), she did so with nuance and empathy.

4. Perseverance in craft. She worked daily, refined her style, and adapted over decades.

5. Breaking barriers. As a woman in cartooning, she exemplified that creative fields not always welcoming can be transformed by bold voices.

Conclusion

Lynn Johnston’s contribution to cartooning is vast: through For Better or For Worse she reimagined what serialized comics could do—telling deep, evolving stories about family, life, and change. Her courage in depicting real human emotions and social issues earned her both acclaim and criticism, but also lasting respect and influence. Her legacy continues in reruns, adaptations, and the many artists she inspired.