Camille Bohannon

Smokey’s debut poster (above) is considered his anniversary date. Overseen
by the Cooperative Forest Fire Prevention Campaign, the first campaign poster
was illustrated by Albert Staehle.

Also in 1944, Forest Service worker Rudy Wendelin became the full-time artist
for the campaign. He was considered to be Smokey Bear’s "caretaker" until he
retired in 1973.

Rudolph "Rudy" Andreas Michael Wendelin (1910–2000)

Camille Bohannon

Richard Bernard "Red" Skelton (July 18, 1913 – September 17, 1997)

Comedian Red Skelton is best remembered for his national radio and TV
performances between 1937 and 1971 and as host of the NBC/CBS
television program The Red Skelton Show (1951-1971). Red Skelton 
also appeared in vaudeville, films, nightclubs, and casinos. He also
pursued a career as an artist. After the death of his father, Skelton
started work at the age of seven as a newspaper salesman. His first
audition was at age 10 for a role in a medicine show.

Mike Gracia