Dick DeBartolo

Who is Dick DeBartolo?

Dick DeBartolo is a notable American writer and model train enthusiast, most famous for writing for Mad. He is occasionally referred to as "Mad's Maddest Writer," this being a twist on Don Martin's former status as "Mad's Maddest Artist." DeBartolo served as the magazine's "Creative Consultant" from 1984 to 2009.

Mad has long spaced out DeBartolo's articles to ensure that at least one appears in every issue. As of his byline in issue #502 in 2009, new DeBartolo material has appeared in 400 consecutive issues, dating back to 1966. This is the longest such streak, surpassing runner-up Sergio Aragonés by nine issues. DeBartolo has written well over 250 television or film parodies for the magazine, easily the most by any Mad writer.

DeBartolo recounted his first-ever experience submitting material to Mad in 1961:

DeBartolo was also a writer for TV game shows, beginning with Barry-Enright before moving on to Goodson-Todman. Writing for Match Game, DeBartolo is credited with coming up with the bawdy and suggestive style of questions that the show is remembered for. During the early 1960s, while writing for Match Game, DeBartolo cast several of the show's panelists and guests in his own 8mm film comedies, which he shot on the studio's rooftop. A rare public showing of those films was held in a Manhattan hotel ballroom in 1964.