Robert Ripley

Entrepreneur

Birthday December 25, 1890

Birth Sign Capricorn

Birthplace Santa Rosa, CA

DEATH DATE May 27, 1949 (58)

#55181 Most Popular

About

World traveler and cartoonist who created the Ripley's Believe It or Not! franchise.

Before Fame

He played minor league baseball as a pitcher. He published a travel journal and a guide to handball, both in 1925.

Trivia

His original Believe It or Not! concept continued long after his death under the Ripley Entertainment banner. Along with the comic strip, museums, tourist attractions, haunted houses, books, and TV shows were all part of the company's many offerings.

Family Life

He married Beatrice Roberts in 1919.

Associated With

His strip gained the attention of publishing mogul William Randolph Hearst, who debuted it in 17 of his newspapers.