# Where are Dagwood's and Blondie's parents? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 10, 2020, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-are-dagwoods-and-blondies-parents/853537 "2020-05-10T15:19:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Wheelz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wheelz/32/5718_2.png) [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2020, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-are-dagwoods-and-blondies-parents/853537/21 "2020-05-11T17:12:53Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > Any other comic strip “omissions” that strike you as unusual? Barney Google all but disappeared from “Barney Google and Snuffy Smith” decades ago, but the name of the strip never changed. As I recall, he has made very rare cameo appearances after leaving for the big city, or something like that. I haven’t followed that strip for years. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2020, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-are-dagwoods-and-blondies-parents/853537/22 "2020-05-11T17:31:08Z")
When I followed it in the 1960s and 1970s, I always wondered why we never saw any pirates in _Terry and the Pirates._ I wonder when the last time we saw Beetle Bailey (who started out as a college student) visiting his family, particularly his sister Lois of Hi and Lois. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2020, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-are-dagwoods-and-blondies-parents/853537/23 "2020-05-11T17:43:04Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > … > > I wonder when the last time we saw Beetle Bailey (who started out as a college student) visiting his family, particularly his sister Lois of Hi and Lois. Yeah - if ever there were an opportunity for cross references - like when Buffy would visit Angel. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2020, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-are-dagwoods-and-blondies-parents/853537/24 "2020-05-11T18:16:10Z")
From the first appearance of THE CHALLENGERS OF THE UNKNOWN! We get a roll call of the athletic-looking manly men: **“Rocky” Davis** , Olympic Wrestling Champion! **“Prof” Haley** , Master Skin Diver! **“Red” Ryan** , Circus Daredevil! **“Ace” Morgan** , War Hero and Fearless Jet Pilot! But, first, cut to: four women. And cue the narration: _It seems appropriate for this story to begin on a nationwide radio program called ‘Heroes!’_ “Tonight, you heard four women who have earned the right to the title ‘Hero’. You heard their thrilling exploits from their own lips — next week, we have four big surprises for you! Four men — all famous in their own fields! At this moment, they are being flown to this city in a plane piloted by the jet ace who is to appear with them…” As it happens, that’s right about when the controls of that distant plane jam; but those four men survive the ensuing crash, and, living on borrowed time, decide to team up as adventurers-for-hire who’ll raise money for charity as costumed heroes! Which, okay, sure. But: _who the heck were those women?_ What thrilling exploits were they just regaling America with? How did each of them earn the right to that ‘hero’ title before that broadcast? What did they go on to do? ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2020, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-are-dagwoods-and-blondies-parents/853537/25 "2020-05-11T18:17:03Z")
I hadn’t really realized before that Lois’s son Chip is virtual clone of Beetle. ---
**Author:** ![mbh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2020, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-are-dagwoods-and-blondies-parents/853537/26 "2020-05-11T18:21:17Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > I wonder when the last time we saw Beetle Bailey (who started out as a college student) visiting his family, particularly his sister Lois of Hi and Lois. It’s rare, but they do have crossovers every few years. Usually, it’s Beetle making a guest appearance in the _Hi and Lois_ strip. ---
**Author:** ![furryman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/furryman/32/99_2.png) [@furryman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furryman)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2020, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-are-dagwoods-and-blondies-parents/853537/27 "2020-05-11T18:56:34Z")
> [@Wheelz](#): > > Barney Google all but disappeared from “Barney Google and Snuffy Smith” decades ago, but the name of the strip never changed. As I recall, he has made very rare cameo appearances after leaving for the big city, or something like that. I haven’t followed that strip for years. If Google could acquire the rights I’d love to see them celebrate Barney Google’s anniversary. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2020, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-are-dagwoods-and-blondies-parents/853537/28 "2020-05-11T19:33:48Z")
I think in Beetle’s strip, he also occasionally gets a care package from Lois. Are both of those strips still running? They haven’t been in the Cleveland paper in years. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2020, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-are-dagwoods-and-blondies-parents/853537/29 "2020-05-11T19:33:50Z")
I think in Beetle’s strip, he also occasionally gets a care package from Lois. Are both of those strips still running? They haven’t been in the Cleveland paper in years. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2020, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-are-dagwoods-and-blondies-parents/853537/30 "2020-05-11T19:43:24Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > I think in Beetle’s strip, he also occasionally gets a care package from Lois. > > Are both of those strips still running? They haven’t been in the Cleveland paper in years. Yes, both are still running, being largely helmed by the sons of the original creators (as is the case with a lot of older strips), though i think they’re carried by significantly fewer papers now. Current Beetle Bailey strip: [Beetle Bailey by Mort Walker | Comics Kingdom](https://www.comicskingdom.com/beetle-bailey-1) Current Hi and Lois strip: [Hi and Lois by Brian Walker, Greg Walker & Chance Browne | Comics Kingdom](https://www.comicskingdom.com/hi-and-lois) ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2020, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-are-dagwoods-and-blondies-parents/853537/31 "2020-05-11T19:44:33Z")
Speaking of comic strip characters that look a little too much alike, has nobody ever noticed that Jeremy’s friend Hector in “Zits” is obviously the bastard son of Walt? Also what ever happened to Jeremy’s older brother Chad? He appears to have pulled a “Chuck Cunningham”. ---
**Author:** ![sitchensis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sitchensis/32/4892_2.png) [@sitchensis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sitchensis)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2020, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-are-dagwoods-and-blondies-parents/853537/32 "2020-05-11T19:45:02Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > For example, For Better or Worse (being rerun) had a recent thread w/ a visiting relative. Was there an unfunny joke that had something to do with casual sexism in the 80’s ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2020, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-are-dagwoods-and-blondies-parents/853537/33 "2020-05-11T20:06:39Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > [Here’s one where Blondie’s mother actually appears.](https://comics.ha.com/itm/original-comic-art/comic-strip-art/chic-young-blondie-daily-comic-strip-original-art-dated-6-25-31-king-features-syndicate-1931-dagwood-has-left-his-fil/a/817-5568.s) She’s evidently a brunette, and Blondie was living with her before she married Dagwood. Blondie’s mother looks like Aunt Fritzi from the Nancy strips. > **[nancy aunt fritzi - Bing](https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=ELr%2fb3H%2f&id=FFA1424E8AAD5C07F8AA61081E7E169970D7326A&thid=OIP.ELr_b3H_rG4WC-XlBavsnQHaFb&mediaurl=https%3a%2f%2fi.pinimg.com%2foriginals%2f0c%2f8b%2f6a%2f0c8b6abf5dcd8f153d08ff304134e6a3.jpg&exph=440&expw=600&q=nancy%2Baunt%2Bfritzi&simid=608024930549040166&selectedIndex=114&ajaxhist=0)** > > Intelligent search from Bing makes it easier to quickly find what you’re looking for and rewards you. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2020, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-are-dagwoods-and-blondies-parents/853537/34 "2020-05-11T20:48:12Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > Yes, both are still running, being largely helmed by the sons of the original creators (as is the case with a lot of older strips), though i think they’re carried by significantly fewer papers now. > > Current Beetle Bailey strip: [Beetle Bailey by Mort Walker | Comics Kingdom](https://www.comicskingdom.com/beetle-bailey-1) > > Current Hi and Lois strip: [Hi and Lois by Brian Walker, Greg Walker & Chance Browne | Comics Kingdom](https://www.comicskingdom.com/hi-and-lois) Cutting edge, as always.🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2020, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-are-dagwoods-and-blondies-parents/853537/35 "2020-05-11T20:56:31Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > So when was the last reference to the parents? No one else ages (MUCH - these past several decades), so I presume they are still around. Baby Dumpling/Alexander and Cookie were allowed to age into teenagers but haven’t matured further in about 50 years, even though Alexander just had his 86th birthday. Is Walt Wallet from Gasoline Alley still alive? He must be at least 120 by now, and Skeezix will be 100 next year. Walt’s wife Phyllis was allowed to pass away in 2004 at about 105. Strangely, the junk men Joel and Rufus don’t age with everyone else, suggesting they may be ghosts or zombies. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2020, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-are-dagwoods-and-blondies-parents/853537/36 "2020-05-11T21:18:50Z")
So how did they transition from one child named “Dumpling”, to two children “Alexander” and “Cookie”? And once the two had an established existence, did they age into teenagers normally, before freezing in time? ---
**Author:** ![mbh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2020, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-are-dagwoods-and-blondies-parents/853537/37 "2020-05-11T21:36:18Z")
I cannot find a source to cite, but I think the name was suggested by fan mail. Blondie and Dagwood were married on February 17, 1933. The son was born soon after. The daughter was born a few years later. > **[King Features Syndicate | Our Brands](https://kingfeatures.com/our-brands/?id=Blondie)** > > The world’s premier distributor of comics, columns, editorial cartoons, puzzles and gaming brands in print and digital formats for Sunday, weekly, daily and online newspaper publishers around the globe. > **[Blondie (comic strip)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blondie_(comic_strip))** > > Blondie is an American comic strip created by cartoonist Chic Young. The comic strip is distributed by King Features Syndicate, and has been published in newspapers since September 8, 1930. The success of the strip, which features the eponymous blonde and her sandwich-loving husband, led to the long-running Blondie film series (1938–1950) and the popular Blondie radio program (1939–1950). > Chic Young wrote and drew Blondie until his death in 1973, when creative control passed to his son Dean Yo... > [@](#): > > Alexander Bumstead: the elder child of Blondie and Dagwood who is in his late teens, formerly referred to by his pet name “Baby Dumpling.” As a child, he was very mischievous and precocious. As a teenager, he is athletic, levelheaded and intelligent. Despite resembling his father, he is more down-to-earth like his mother. His full name, revealed in the November 7, 1934 strip, is Alexander Hamilton Bumstead. > > Cookie Bumstead: the younger child of Blondie and Dagwood who is in her early teens. Cookie is portrayed as a sweet, bubbly teenage girl whose interests include dating, hanging out with friends, and clothes. Her appearance has changed the most compared to the other characters. As a child (1940s–mid 1950s) she originally had long curly hair with a black bow holding a long curl on the top of her head. As a young teen (late 1950s–1960s) she wore her hair in a ponytail with curly bangs. As an older teen (1970s–1990s) she wore her hair long with a black headband. Later (2000s) she dropped the hair band and wore her hair with bangs, barretes and flipped to the sides. Her current hairstyle is long with bangs and flipped at sides. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2020, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-are-dagwoods-and-blondies-parents/853537/38 "2020-05-11T22:38:12Z")
> [@mbh](#): > > I cannot find a source to cite, but I think the name was suggested by fan mail. Mentioned [here](http://www.tcj.com/chics-blondie/) > [@](#): > > The solidity of the Bumstead marriage resulted in Baby Dumpling’s birth on April 15, 1934, and with that, the strip established itself as the pace-setter for its genre, inspiring almost as much merchandising in its heyday as Peanuts did in its. As a measure of its popularity: when Blondie and Dagwood produced a daughter in 1941 and Young ran a contest to name the new arrival, 431,275 people submitted suggestions. “Cookie” was the result. [Food names were brought up again recently](https://joshreads.com/2020/03/it-means-i-buried-the-students-i-killed-out-in-the-woods-ok/). ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2020, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-are-dagwoods-and-blondies-parents/853537/39 "2020-05-11T23:21:28Z")
Cookie is now exhibiting her mother’s prodigious physiognomy. Alexander has his dad’s hair. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-are-dagwoods-and-blondies-parents/853537.md?page=1)