Ciolli: Walt Handelsman is leaving Newsday

This won’t make you laugh.

Newsday’s editorial cartoonist Walt Handelsman who has chronicled the foibles and missteps of newsmakers from Hempstead to Hollywood is heading south.

Here’s the memo I sent to Newsday employees breaking the news. The search is on to find new artists and new ways to bring political humor to our newspaper and website.  

Mardi Gras is coming early to New Orleans and the editorial board is losing some jazz.

Walt Handelsman, who came to Newsday in 2001 from the Picayune, is leaving to draw for the New Orleans Advocate. Walt, his wife Jodie, and their two sons wanted to return to the Big Easy and beignets. He starts his new gig next month.

Walt’s cartoons have anchored Newsday’s editorial page for readers and his presence has lifted the editorial board to see the brighter side of the day’s news. We’ll miss his daily take on the world and his genuine good will. He’s been a terrific colleague. As he told us with the brevity of a cartoonist, “It’s been a joy.” We agree.

Walt is passionate about his craft and during his tenure here he earned his second Pulitzer Prize and numerous journalism awards. He is a pioneer of online animations.

We wish him and his beloved Saints good luck.

Click here to see some of Walt's cartoons through the years