The creator of the popular cartoon character Popeye was Elzie Crisler Segar, often referred to as E.C. Segar. He was an American cartoonist and animator who created the comic strip Thimble Theatre in 1919, which featured Popeye as a supporting character. Segar's work was widely praised for its humor and artistry, and Popeye quickly became one of the most recognizable cartoon characters in the world.