Jeff Knurek is an American cartoonist, industrial designer, and toymaker. He is the current cartoonist for the syndicated Jumble puzzle, working with David L. Hoyt.[1]
Personal life edit
Knurek was born in 1966 Wyandotte, Michigan.
In 2007, Knurek became an organ donor when he donated a kidney to a family member. Knurek and his cousin underwent the transplantation surgery at the University of Michigan Health System’s Transplant Center on July 11, 2007. His cousin suffered from Polycystic kidney disease.[2]
He currently lives in Fishers, Indiana, with his wife Kathy and his children Sydney and Cameron.
Professional life edit
Knurek graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in industrial design.[3] In 1989, while working for the I.D.E.A. toy invention studio, his creation Spikeball was marketed by Tomy.[3]
In 2002, Knurek partnered with David L. Hoyt, Tribune Content Agency, and Hasbro to develop the Boggle BrainBuster syndicated daily puzzle.[4][5]
Knurek is also the inventor of "What's in Ned's Head?" a popular game that has received several parenting awards. Since its creation in 2003, many schools are using this game as a secondary bonus to their classrooms and as an adjunct to speech therapy.[6]
In 2006, he developed Fundex Games's award winning "Monster Under My Bed!"[3]
He worked with Las Vegas magician Mac King to create and market Mac King's "Magic in a Minute" line of children's promotions, toys, magic tricks, videos, books, and events.[6]
Knurek took over as cartoonist for the Jumble in 2008, becoming the third cartoonist the syndicated feature's history. In 2014, he and Hoyt produced the Just Jumble app.[7] He has been a member of the National Cartoonists Society since 2013.[8]
References edit
- ^ "Jumble® by David L. Hoyt and Jeff Knurek".
- ^ "Jumble Artist Encourages Organ Donors". www.kidney.org. National Kidney Foundation. Archived from the original on 2020-09-18. Retrieved 2016-10-09.
- ^ a b c "News - Jeff Knurek Awarded | Penny W. Stamps School of Art & Design at the University of Michigan". stamps.umich.edu. Archived from the original on 2015-10-31.
- ^ "Boggle BrainBusters by David L. Hoyt and Jeff Knurek". Tribune Content Agency. Retrieved 9 October 2018.
- ^ "Jumble® by David L. Hoyt and Jeff Knurek". Tribune Content Agency. Retrieved 2018-10-09.
- ^ a b Striebel, Janet. "More Than Just the World's Biggest Syndicated Puzzle Guy". Towne Post Network. Retrieved 2016-10-09.
- ^ "Jeff Knurek: Just Jumble App".
- ^ "National Cartoonists Society". Archived from the original on 2016-04-04. Retrieved 2016-08-13.