The creator of the popular cartoon character Popeye was Elzie Crisler Segar, often referred to as E. C. Segar. Segar was an American cartoonist and animator who created the comic strip Thimble Theatre in 1919, which featured the character Popeye. He was born in Chester, Illinois in 1894 and died in 1938. He is credited with creating some of the most iconic characters in the history of comics.