Dik Browne (August 11, 1917 – June 4, 1989) was an American cartoonist best known for creating the iconic comic strip Hägar the Horrible. Born in New York City, he began his career as an advertising illustrator before transitioning to cartooning. He gained early fame collaborating with Mort Walker on the Betty and Veronica series. In 1973, he launched Hägar the Horrible, a humorous strip about a Viking family that became a global phenomenon, syndicated in over 1,900 newspapers worldwide. Browne's work is celebrated for its witty blend of historical parody and domestic comedy. He received the Reuben Award in 1977 for Outstanding Cartoonist of the Year. After his death in 1989, his son Chris Browne continued the strip, ensuring its legacy.