Richard Black, artist who created Mr. Clean, dead at 92

KETTERING, Ohio -- The artist who created the Mr. Clean character that became a long-lasting advertising hit has died at age 92.

Fairmont Presbyterian Church in Kettering said services were planned for Saturday for Harry Richard Black. The Dayton Daily News reported Black died Sunday at his home after a brief illness.

Consumer products maker Procter & Gamble Co. credits Black with creating the muscular bald man who cleans things up quickly. The company chose his depiction to represent its cleaner when it launched in 1958. Mr. Clean quickly became a popular brand and advertising character.

Black also was among artists behind depictions of Smokey Bear for U.S. Forest Service fire-prevention messages.

The Philadelphia native opened his own studio in 1950 and did illustrations for national companies and magazines. He was a longtime educator at colleges. -- AP